[Safety and acceptability of the 52 mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in women with abnormal uterine bleeding in an ambulatory care center in Bogotá, Colombia, 2012-2016].

Objective: To describe safety and acceptability with the use of the 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in women with abnormal uterine bleeding.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of women 18 years of age and older diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding, ultrasound-reported uterine length between 6 and 10 cm and uniform endometrial cavity in its entire length, regardless of structural abnormality, who received treatment with 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system between 2012 and 2016. Non-probabilistic convenience sampling was carried out. Sociodemographic and clinical baseline variables were measured, as well as patient perception of bleeding and the frequency of failure, amenorrhea, need for hysterectomy and adverse events, over a 12-month follow-up period. Descriptive statistics were applied.

Results: Overall, 200 patients were assessed. A subjective perception of improvement in terms of bleeding volume and frequency of leave of absence or visits to the emergency department was found; 90 % of the patients had amenorrhea, and 6 % experienced adverse events.

Conclusions: The 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is a safe option for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding in women with normal uterine size and no submucosal endometrial abnormalities. Local randomized studies are required to assess effectiveness and efficiency in comparison with other management options.