Researchers conducted this study to assess the non-contraceptive benefits of the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system 12 months following insertion in a family planning setting.
The study design was a postal questionnaire survey.
The study setting was family planning clinics at the Ulster and Bangor Hospitals.
The subjects were eighty-sixed consecutive issues fitted with the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system.
Response rate 87.3%. The outcome was measured in terms of compliance, satisfaction, and menstrual symptomatology. Reasons for insertion were 21.7% contraception only; 65.2% menorrhagia, 24.6% dysmenorrhoea, and 1.4% premenstrual syndrome. The duration of menses was 8.25 days pre-insertion and 2.41 days at 12 months. Of the subjects, 59.4% experienced at least one hormonal side effect; 10.1% of systems were removed within 12 months. At 12 months, 86.9% of women were satisfied, and 9.8% planned to discontinue.
The study concluded that the levonorgestrel intrauterine system was acceptable to almost 80% of women after 12 months, with a significant reduction in menses duration. Family planning clinics are an ideal setting to implement the guidelines for the initial management of menorrhagia.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/27/1/19
