Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: why do some women dislike it?
Daud, S.; Ewies, A.A.A.
Gynecological Endocrinology the Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology 24(12): 686-690
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0951-3590 PMID: 19172537 DOI: 10.1080/09513590802444167Document Number: 205039
There is growing evidence of women's dissatisfaction with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) because of a high incidence of adverse effects. To quantify the continuation rate and users' satisfaction, and identify symptoms associated with early removal before the 5-years effective life-time. A questionnaire was sent to 212 women, who had LNG-IUS inserted from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2003 at The Ipswich Hospital, UK. The response rate was 76% (n = 161), 16 of the respondents were excluded and the data of 145 are presented. The continuation rate was 85%, 70%, 59%, 56%, 50% and 50% at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. The total number of women who had the LNG-IUS removed before 5 years was 72 (50%), and the median duration of use was 270 days (range 4-1460). The reasons for early removal were unscheduled bleeding, progestogenic adverse effects, abdominal pain and others in 40 (28%), 32 (22%), 19 (13%) and 19 (13%) women, respectively. Only 73 (50%) women were satisfied with LNG-IUS. Our findings are similar to recent reports, and this information should be readily available to women to enable them to make an informed choice.