Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device to treat abnormal uterine bleeding; not one treatment option fits all.

Abstract

Objective: Initially, medical treatment options are preferred in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) who are hemodynamically stable. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) in reducing bleeding symptoms in patients with AUB stratified by underlying pathology.

Material and methods: In line with the polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy (and hyperplasia), coagulopathy, ovulatory disorders, endometrial, iatrogenic and not otherwise classified classification system, patients who were administered LNG-IUD due to adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, leiomyoma and AUB due to not otherwise classified causes were included in the study.

Results: A total of 172 otherwise patients with a mean age of 42.58±5.00 years were included. The distributions in the adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, leiomyoma and otherwise unclassified groups were 30.8%, 12.8%, 26.2%, and 30.2%, respectively. Overall effectiveness of LNG-IUD in reducing menstrual bleeding was 82%. The proportion whose bleeding decreased was 95.50% in the endometrial hyperplasia group, 88.70% in the adenomyosis group, 55.60% in the leiomyoma group and 92.30% in the not otherwise classified group. The power of the current study was 99%. The efficacy of LNG-IUD was significantly less in the leiomyoma group (p<0.05) and thus this group were more likely to require surgical intervention. The overall incidence of spotting was 50%. Amenorrhea developed in 14% of patients.

Conclusion: While LNG-IUD was more effective in reducing symptoms of AUB in patients with adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia and not otherwise classified causes, LNG-IUD was less effective in cases of leiomyoma.