The levonorgestrel intra-uterine system: therapeutic application in family planning.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the non-contraceptive benefits of the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system 12 months following insertion in a family planning setting.

DESIGN:

Postal questionnaire survey.

SETTING:

Family planning clinics at the Ulster and Bangor Hospitals.

SUBJECTS:

Eighty-six consecutive subjects fitted with the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system.

RESULTS:

Response rate 87.3%. Outcome measured in terms of compliance, satisfaction and menstrual symptomatology. Reasons for insertion were as follows: 21.7% contraception only; 65.2% menorrhagia, 24.6% dysmenorrhoea and 1.4% premenstrual syndrome. 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% of women planned to discontinue.

CONCLUSION:

The levonorgestrel intra-uterine system was acceptable to almost 80% of women after 12 months, with significant reduction in duration of menses. Family planning clinics are an ideal setting to implement the guidelines for the initial management of menorrhagia.

• Authors: L M Dolan, M Mulholland, J Price
• Journal: The journal of family planning and reproductive health care (J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care) Vol. 27 Issue 1 Pg. 19-21 (Jan 2001) ISSN: 1471-1893 [Print] England
• PMID: 12457542 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Levonorgestrel

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Contraception (methods)
• Data Collection
• Family Planning Services (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Intrauterine Devices, Medicated
• Levonorgestrel (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy, Unwanted (statistics & numerical data)
• Sampling Studies
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Outcome
• United Kingdom