Researchers conducted this study to investigate differences in continuation rates between contraceptive and therapeutic use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system 52 mg (LNG-IUS) and factors associated with early removal.
The present study used a retrospective consecutive cohort design.
Participants were women with the LNG-IUS insertion for contraceptive or therapeutic use from 1 January 2006 through 1 January 2009 at the Zuyderland Medical Centre, The Netherlands, with a follow-up of 5 years.
Follow-up was possible in 2481 women, 1855 in the contraception group, and 626 in the therapy group. In both groups, an unacceptable bleeding pattern and adverse events were the main reasons for early removal, resulting in low continuation rates over the years.
Therapeutic use, having one child, and younger age are independent risk factors of early removal of the LNG-IUS, in contrast with previous LNG-IUS use, associated with a lower risk. In both the contraception and therapy groups, the main reasons for LNG-IUS discontinuation are the continuation of a new LNG-IUS and no more need for an LNG-IUS. An unacceptable bleeding pattern or adverse events are associated with the lowest continuation rates in both groups.
Reference: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13625187.2019.1682134
