Experience with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system among HIV-infected women

BACKGROUND: Safe and effective contraception is needed for women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is an effective long-term contraceptive that reduces menstrual bleeding and may reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Yet, little is known about LNG-IUS use in HIV-infected women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Six HIV-infected women had the LNG-IUS inserted between March 1998 and October 2002, and were systemically followed for a mean of 45 months. Indications for LNG-IUS use were contraception in four women and menorrhagia in two women. RESULTS: The LNG-IUS was well tolerated, and menstrual bleeding was reduced in all women. Blood hemoglobin levels increased in each subject, with mean levels being 123 g/L (SD=11.7) before LNG-IUS insertion and 135 g/L (SD=8.7) at 1 year (p=.01). Levels of circulating CD4 lymphocytes and Pap smear findings remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Our limited experience with LNG-IUS use in HIV-infected women is encouraging. The LNG-IUS may be used as an alternative to uterine surgery in HIV-infected women with menorrhagia.     

Effectiveness of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in the treatment of adenomyosis diagnosed and monitored by magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) on adenomyotic lesions diagnosed and monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). STUDY DESIGN: LNG-IUS was inserted during menstrual bleeding in 29 women, 24 to 46 years of age, with MRI-diagnosed adenomyosis associated with menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea. Clinical evaluations were carried out at baseline and at 3 and 6 months postinsertion. MRI was performed at baseline and at 6 months postinsertion and was used to calculate junctional zone thickness (in mm), to define the junctional zone borders, to identify the presence of high-signal foci on T(2)-weighted images and to calculate uterine volume (in mL). RESULTS: A significant reduction of 24.2% in junctional zone thickness was observed (p<.0001); however, no significant decrease in uterine volume was observed (142.6 mL vs. 136.4 mL; p=.2077) between baseline and the 6-month evaluation. A significant decrease in pain score was observed at 3 and 6 months after insertion (p<.0001); however, six women continued to report pain scores >3 at 6 months of observation. At 3 months of use, the most common bleeding pattern was spotting, and at 6 months of observation, oligomenorrhea was the most common pattern observed, although spotting was present in one third of the women. CONCLUSIONS: The insertion of an LNG-IUS led to a reduction in pain and abnormal bleeding associated with adenomyosis. MRI was useful for monitoring response of adenomyotic lesions to the LNG-IUS.     

Predictors of oligoamenorrhea at 1-year follow-up in premenopausal women using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to identify predictors of oligoamenorrhea at 12 months in levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users. DESIGN: A 12-month observational study. SETTING: Gynecologic outpatient clinic in a large regional hospital in Flanders, Belgium. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: A total of 150 women who had made an informed decision to use a LNG-IUS either as a method of contraception or to manage menorrhagia. METHODS: All women were premenopausal and first-time users. The variables recorded prior to insertion on Days 1 to 5 of the menstrual cycle were age, parity, body mass index, indication for LNG-IUS use, prior contraceptive use, menstrual bleeding history, length of the uterine cavity, endometrial thickness, number of antral follicles, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone. Menstrual bleeding pattern, patient satisfaction or wish to discontinue the method was noted at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up visits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Menstrual bleeding pattern (amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, menorrhagia) at 12 months was taken as the primary outcome measurement. Patient satisfaction was followed as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: Oligoamenorrhea was associated with a high patient satisfaction. A bleeding period less than 5 days, absence of severe uterine bleeding at baseline, LNG-IUS use for contraception and oligoamenorrhea at 3 months were predictors of a favorable outcome at 12 months in a univariate analysis. The absence of severe bleeding prior to LNG-IUS insertion was the only clinically useful predictor of favorable outcome in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.13, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Patient profiling as described is not helpful in counselling women for intentional LNG-IUS use, especially not if it is planned as a method of managing menorrhagia.     

Cervical mucus granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-2 soluble receptor in women using copper intrauterine contraceptive devices

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the bleeding patterns and clinical performance during the first 2 years of use of an intrauterine system releasing 20 microg/day of levonorgestrel (LNG-IUS, Mirena). Two-hundred-fifty-six women accepted use of Mirena from April 1998 through September 1998. The gross cumulative discontinuation rate due to pregnancy and expulsion were significantly higher in women who used the device because of heavy bleeding. There was one pregnancy at the 15th month of use after an inadvertent expulsion of the device. The continuation rate was 66.2 at the end of the second year. Forty-four percent of women reported amenorrhea at the 6th month of use. This rate maintained stability at 50% after 12 and 24 months of use. Spotting was present in 25% of the users at 6 months, decreasing to 8% and 11% at 18 and 24 months, respectively. Oligomenorrhea was described by one-quarter of women and was similar at each observation period. Removals due to menstrual bleeding problems were concentrated in the first 6 months of use and mostly due to amenorrhea or menorrhagia. In conclusion, LNG-IUS showed a high contraceptive efficacy and a good continuation rate up to 2 years. In addition, a reduction of blood loss was observed a few months after insertion.     

LNG-IUS对子宫内膜异位症月经模式影响的临床观察

目的：观察左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统（LNG-IUS）对子宫内膜异位症（EM）月经模式的5年影响。方法：对49例EM患者放置LNG-IUS,观察比较放置前和放置后6个月、12个月、36个月及60个月的月经间期点滴出血量、月经间期点滴出血天数等指标。结果：与放环前相比,49例EM患者月经间期点滴出血量及月经间期点滴出血天数在放置LNG-IUS 6个月、12个月均明显增加,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。放环36个月、60个月后,月经间期点滴出血量及月经间期点滴出血天数与放环前比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：LNG-IUS能够显著增加EM患者的月经间期点滴出血量及天数。     

129例曼月乐的临床应用观察

目的 探讨曼月乐的临床应用疗效.方法 对于健康妇女单纯要求避孕者81例,子宫腺肌症患者要求避孕及治疗者32例,子宫内膜异位症患者保守手术后要求尝试治疗者6例,月经过多的功能性子宫出血(经诊刮病理确诊)患者要求治疗者10例,适时宫内放置曼月乐,定期随访观察避孕效果、月经、痛经程度、子宫腺肌症患者子宫大小、功能性子宫出血患者子宫内膜厚度等变化.结果 曼月乐带器妊娠率为0,放置曼月乐12个月后,所有妇女的月经量为放置前的(8±3)%,子宫腺肌症患者血清CA125水平由72±50kU/L下降至31±24kU/L,治疗前后相比,差异有统计学意义(t=2.373,P<0.05);功能性子宫出血患者子宫内膜厚度由13.2±5.1mm变薄为5.9±1.9mm,治疗前后相比,差异有统计学意义(t=3.452,P<0.01);健康妇女及子宫腺肌症患者的痛经症状完全缓解,子宫内膜异位症患者的痛经有4例完全缓解或明显缓解,2例部分缓解.结论 曼月乐在避孕及子宫腺肌症、功能性子宫出血的治疗上均效果显著,对子宫内膜异位症的治疗有一定的疗效.     

子宫腺肌病两种保守治疗方法近期疗效比较

目的:观察宫腔内放置左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统(LNG-IUS)与选择性双侧子宫动脉栓塞术治疗子宫腺肌病的近期临床效果,探讨保守治疗子宫腺肌病的最佳方案。方法:比较放置LNG-IUS(30例,A组)或行子宫动脉栓塞术(18例,B组)治疗子宫腺肌病患者术后1、6、12个月的痛经改善情况、月经满意度和子宫体积变化。结果:术后1个月A组痛经缓解程度优于B组(P0.001),术后6个月和12个月两组痛经缓解程度无统计学差异(P=0.222和P=0.226)。两组患者术后月经量均减少,随着时间延长,A组患者逐渐出现闭经或淋漓出血,B组患者月经正常,月经满意度较A组高(P0.05)。两组术后子宫体积均较术前明显缩小(P0.001),B组子宫体积缩小较A组更明显(P0.001)。B组有2例术后意外妊娠而行人工流产术。B组治疗费用较A组高(P0.05)。结论:放置LNG-IUS治疗子宫腺肌病较介入治疗方法简单、痛苦小、费用低,但有子宫淋漓出血和闭经的副作用。无生育要求且能耐受闭经者,可选择放置LNG-IUS治疗,效果不理想再行双侧子宫动脉栓塞术治疗。     

Puerperal insertion of a copper-releasing and a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device

A copper-releasing IUD and levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs releasing 30 μg and 10 μg levonorgestrel per day were inserted six weeks after delivery in 110 volunteers. During the treatment, events and patterns of bleeding were recorded and plasma levonorgestrel concentrations were measured. The number of events in one year of follow-up was very low, four removals out of 40 in the copper-releasing IUD group and five removals out of 70 in the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD group. Bleeding and spotting was significantly more common after insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD than a copper-releasing IUD, but it was scanty and well-tolerated. After three months, levonorgestrel-releasing IUD patients had less bleeding and spotting than the copper-releasing IUD patients. No pregnancies occurred during the study period. There were two uterine perforations with a uterine sound at the insertion. In the 30-μg per day levonorgestrel-releasing IUD group, initially high plasma levonorgestrel concentrations reached a plateau four weeks after the insertion. In the 10-μg per day levonorgestrel-releasing IUD group, the plasma concentrations of levonorgestrel stabilized after the initial two weeks.     

左炔诺孕酮宫内节育系统治疗子宫腺肌病的临床研究

目的探讨左炔诺孕酮宫内节育系统（LNG—IUS）治疗子宫腺肌病患者的临床疗效及对其卵巢功能的影响。方法观察80例子宫腺肌病患者放置LNG-IUS前、后1、3、6及12个月月经量评分、痛经程度评分、子宫大小、肝功能、血清CA125、EMAb、性激素、血糖及血脂水平变化。结果放置LNG-IUS后,痛经缓解明显,6个月内痛经症状基本消失。置环后6、12个月月经量明显减少[（40．0±15）ml、（28±7）m1],与置环前[（200．0±60）m1]比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,血清CA125水平和EMAb阳性率较治疗前明显降低[CA125：（50．69±10．00）IU／Lvs（18．60±3．55）IU／L;EMAb：80．0％vs3．8％,P〈0．05];置环6、12个月时,子宫体积缩小不明显,肝功能、血糖、血脂、血清促卵泡生成激素、促黄体生成素平分别与放置前比较,差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论LNG-IUS治疗子宫腺肌病患者疗效好,不良反应少,且对其卵巢功能无明显影响。     

Uterine volume and menstrual patterns in users of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system with idiopathic menorrhagia or menorrhagia due to leiomyomas

BACKGROUND: A prospective cohort study was carried out to evaluate uterine volume and the volume of uterine leiomyomas in women using the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) to treat idiopathic menorrhagia (n=32) and menorrhagia due to leiomyomas (n=27). A control group used the device as a contraceptive method (n=28). METHODS: Clinical and ultrasonographic evaluations were carried out at insertion and at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months later. Total uterine volume and the volume of the leiomyomas were calculated using the ellipsoid formula (anteroposterior diameter)x(transverse diameter)x(longitudinal diameter)x(4/3)x(pi). In the case of multiple leiomyomas, the volume of each myoma was added to calculate the total volume of leiomyomas in each patient. Menstrual bleeding episodes were recorded. RESULTS: Uterine volume decreased significantly in both groups of menorrhagic patients but not in the control group. In the group of women with idiopathic menorrhagia, a mean reduction of 36.4+/-15.3 (S.D.) cm3 (from 127.1 cm3 to 90.7 cm3) was observed (p=.041), and a greater and more significant mean reduction of 63.6+/-19.0 (S.D.) cm3 (from 156.6 cm3 to 93 cm3) occurred in the group of women with leiomyomas (p=.014). In the contraception group, the reduction was of only 2.9+/-5.4 (S.D.) cm3 in mean uterine volume (from 70.3 cm3 to 67.4 cm3), which was not statistically significant (p=.085). The mean volume of leiomyomas decreased by 5.2+/-3.1 (S.D.) cm3 (from 12.8 cm3 to 7.6 cm3 after 3 years of use, but this difference was not significant (p=.4099). After 36 months of use, amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea were the most frequent bleeding patterns, occurring in 45-57% and 33-39% of users in the three groups, respectively. Amenorrhea was higher in the contraception group (57.1%) and in women with idiopathic menorrhagia (53.4%) than women in the group with menorrhagia due to leiomyomas (44.5%) (p=.027). Moreover, the prevalence of spotting was almost three times higher (11%) in women with menorrhagia caused by leiomyomas and nearly double (7.7%) in the idiopathic menorrhagia group when compared with 4% in the control contraception group (p=.024). CONCLUSION: The LNG-IUS significantly reduces uterine volume in women with menorrhagia with and without leiomyoma; however, it does not significantly reduce the volume of leiomyomas.     

Oral anticoagulant therapy does not modify the bleeding pattern associated with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in women with thrombophilia and/or a history of thrombosis

Background

Progestogen-only contraceptives (POCs) are suitable for women with thrombophilia and/or a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Several of these women, however, use oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), which can impair the bleeding pattern associated with POC use. We evaluated the effects of OAT use on the bleeding pattern associated with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in women with thrombophilia and/or a history of VTE.

Study Design

This prospective cohort study followed two groups of women, all of whom were thrombophilic and/or had a history of VTE: OAT users and nonusers. Bleeding patterns, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), weight, complete blood count and waist circumference were compared between the two groups before and 6 and 12 months after LNG-IUS insertion.

Results

The patient cohort consisted of 33 women aged 18 to 45 years old, including 16 OAT users and 17 nonusers. Body weight increased by 3.9% and BMI by 3.8% in OAT users 12 months after LNG-IUS insertion. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increased by approximately 10% in both groups. There was no difference between the groups in bleeding patterns, with amenorrhea being the most frequent pattern in both groups (41.2% each) 12 months after LNG-IUS insertion. OAT did not increase the frequency of prolonged and/or frequent bleeding.

Conclusion

OAT users and nonusers had similar bleeding patterns after insertion of the LNG-IUS. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increased in both groups.     

妈富隆用于改善放置宫内节育器初期子宫异常出血的临床研究

目的:探讨妈富隆用于改善放置宫内节育器(IUD)初期子宫异常出血的临床效果。方法:选择年龄﹤40岁,自愿放置TCu220C或吉妮致美IUD避孕妇女随机分组。Ⅰ组在放置IUD当天开始每晚口服妈富隆1片,至当月月经周期第25天停药;Ⅱ组同Ⅰ组服药后停药7d,下一周期再服用21d停药;对照组放置IUD后不服用妈富隆。各组中放置TCu220CIUD的分别有54例(ⅠA组)、58例(ⅡA组)、50例(A对照组),放置吉妮致美IUD的分别有58例(ⅠB组)、54例(ⅡB组)、50例(B对照组),比较各组放置IUD后子宫异常出血情况。结果:ⅠA组在术后及第1、2次月经流血情况明显好于A对照组(P0.05),但第1次月经的点滴出血天数较对照组明显延长(P0.05),第2、3次月经点滴出血天数与对照组无统计学差异;Ⅱ组月经点滴出血天数明显少于Ⅰ组;放置吉妮致美IUD组月经量增多发生情况好于放置TCu220CIUD(P0.05),但同样需服用2个月经周期的妈富隆才能明显改善月经增多和点滴出血的情况。结论:放置IUD后当月给予口服妈富隆可以减少月经量增多情况,但不能缩短经期点滴出血时间,服用2周期妈富隆在缩短经期和减少经量增多方面有明显效果。对于月经量偏多或经期偏长者可以考虑放置IUD后口服妈富隆2周期,以改善放置IUD初期子宫异常出血情况。     

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding in women with inherited bleeding disorders: long-term follow-up

Background

There are currently limited data on the use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in women with inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) particularly on its long-term (>12 months) efficacy.

Study Design

This study involves a case series of women with IBDs who received the LNG-IUS as treatment for HMB. Menstrual blood loss before its insertion and at the time of follow-up was assessed by the pictorial blood-loss assessment chart (PBAC) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. A questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life (QOL) during menstruation before and after insertion of the LNG-IUS.

Results

Twenty-six women were included. The median duration of LNG-IUS use at follow-up was 33 months (range, 14–103). The median PBAC score decreased from 255 (range, 134–683) to 35 (range, 0–89) with LNG-IUS use. The median Hb concentrations (11.2 to 13.2 g/dL) and QOL scores (median, 26 to 52) improved significantly with LNG-IUS use (p<.01).

Conclusion

The LNG-IUS appears to be an effective long-term treatment for HMB in women with IBDs.     

Medical treatment of a grossly enlarged adenomyotic uterus with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

Adenomyosis is an important cause of menorrhagia. Besides hysterectomy, the treatment options for adenomyosis have been limited. Presented here is the successful treatment of adenomyosis in a woman presenting with menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and an enlarging uterus, for whom conservative therapy initiated with mefenamic acid was unsatisfactory. The patient had insertion of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). A marked decrease in uterine size occurred within 12 months of insertion accompanied by resolution of the menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea. Thus, the LNG-IUS is a viable option and represents a real advance in the treatment of adenomyosis.     

Assessment of the use of two new low-dose levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems as contraceptives

Evaluation of: Gemzell-Danielsson K, Schellschmidt I, Apter D. A randomized, Phase II study describing the efficacy, bleeding profile, and safety of two low-dose levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive systems and Mirena. Fertil. Steril. 97(3), 616-622.e3 (2012). A randomized, open-label, Phase II study was conducted in 37 centers in five European countries to assess the optimal dose for a new contraceptive levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). Overall, 742 parous or nulliparous women aged 21-40 years were allocated to receive a LNG-IUS that initially releases 12 μg/day (LNG-IUS(12)) or 16 μg/day (LNG-IUS(16)) in vitro or the currently available device that releases 20 μg/day (LNG-IUS(20)). The two new devices are shorter than the current one. Pearl Indices of 0.17, 0.82 and 0.00 for the LNG-IUS(12), LNG-IUS(16) and LNG-IUS(20), respectively, reflect the contraceptive efficacy of these devices. The mean number of bleeding and spotting days decreased in all three groups; however, this decrease was more significant in LNG-IUS(20) users. Placement of the new shorter devices was considered simple by providers, while patients reported significantly less pain with the two new devices compared with the current one. This study provided further insight into the development of two new LNG-IUS devices as contraceptives, with the additional possibility of using them to treat heavy menstrual bleeding or as endometrial protection during estrogen therapy.     

Use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in renal transplant recipients: a retrospective case review

Our objective was to report on the use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena®) in renal transplant recipients.A retrospective case review was done to identify renal transplant recipients for whom a LNG-IUS had been inserted. All of the women had been seen in the Gynecology Department, Beaumont Hospital, during the period 2000 to 2010. Parameters including age, year of transplantation, indication for insertion, duration of use, discontinuation and complications were documented.The main outcome measure was discontinuation of the LNG-IUS due to pelvic infection.Eleven women were identified who had undergone renal transplantation and were using the LNG-IUS. The mean duration of use was 38 (range 1–84) months. Four women were using the LNG-IUS for contraception and seven were using it for the treatment of menorrhagia, either alone or in conjunction with endometrial ablative procedures. One woman discontinued use in order to conceive. There were no unplanned pregnancies. There were no documented cases of pelvic infection in women using the device.Renal transplant recipients have a critical need for safe and effective contraception. The use of the LNG-IUS has been avoided in the patients due to the theoretical risk of intrauterine device-related pelvic infection in immune-suppressed patients. However, on the basis of our results, we believe that it is acceptable to use the LNG-IUS in renal transplant recipients for both contraception and for the treatment of menorrhagia as the theoretical risk of infection in these immune-suppressed patients does not appear to be increased.     

左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统治疗子宫腺肌病的临床观察

目的:观察左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统(LNG-IUS)治疗子宫腺肌病的临床疗效。方法:52例子宫腺肌病患者于月经期的第5~7天放置LNG-IUS,观察术前、术后1个月、3个月、6个月及1年后痛经程度、月经量及子宫大小的变化。结果:放置LNG-IUS后3个月,月经量显著减少,降低为治疗前的(28±5)%,治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);28例贫血患者血红蛋白含量显著增加,由治疗前的(85±24)g/L恢复至(118±7)g/L;子宫大小均较前缩小,由治疗前的(17.8±1.8)cm减小为(17.5±1.6)cm,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.01);放置LNG-IUS后12个月,52例患者中49例患者痛经完全消失,3例患者痛经评级降低≥2个级别,但疼痛未完全消失。结论:LNG-IUS治疗子宫腺肌病近期疗效显著。     

The effect of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device in the treatment of myoma-related menorrhagia

In this open observational study we evaluated the effectiveness of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) in the treatment of myoma-related menorrhagia. Nineteen patients with recurrent menorrhagia lasting more than 3 months and with fibromyomatosus uterus were treated for 12 months with a LNG-IUD releasing 20 micro g/day of levonorgestrel. Menstrual blood loss, measured objectively by the pictorial blood loss assessment chart score (PBAC), level of serum hemoglobin and pattern of uterine bleeding were recorded at 3, 6, 9 and 12-month follow-up visits. Median monthly PBAC score during the two menstrual cycles before treatment was 310. After LNG-IUD, the PBAC score gradually decreased from a median value of 186 at 3 months to a median value of 155, 108 and 96 at 6, 9 and 12 months of treatment, respectively. Despite the statistically significant reduction of PBAC score, persistent menorrhagia, defined as a monthly PBAC score of 100 or higher, was observed at 12 months in 14 patients, whereas only one woman was amenorrheic and 4 were hypomenorrheic. In conclusion our study demonstrates the clinical reduced effectiveness of LNG-IUD in the treatment of myoma-related menorrhagia.     

Ease of insertion and clinical performance of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in nulligravidas

Background

Despite the high contraceptive efficacy and the additional noncontraceptive benefits of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), concerns persist with respect to its use in nulligravidas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ease of insertion and clinical performance of the LNG-IUS in nulligravida women up to 1 year after insertion.

Methods

Two cohorts were formed after LNG-IUS insertion, one consisting of 159 nulligravidas and the other of 477 parous women. Each nulligravida women was paired with three parous women who had an LNG-IUS inserted on the same day. Insertion was classified as easy or difficult, and when classified as difficult, the use of Hegar dilators and/or misoprostol and insertion failure were additional factors recorded.

Results

In almost 80% of cases, no difficulty was encountered during insertion, and dilators and misoprostol were seldom required; however, when necessary, dilator use was almost threefold higher in nulligravida women. Insertion failed in one nulligravida women and in two parous women. Contraception was the most common reason for insertion, although some of the women received the LNG-IUS for both contraceptive and therapeutic purposes, including heavy menstrual bleeding, hematologic diseases, warfarin use, endometriosis-associated pain and following kidney or liver transplantation. The clinical performance of the device showed zero pregnancy rate, expulsion rates of ∼4/100 women-year and 1-year continuation rate of over 90% in both groups.

Conclusions

The LNG-IUS is suitable for use by nulligravidas. It is simple to insert, and its clinical performance in nulligravidas is similar to that found in parous women.     

A pilot study on the acceptability of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device by young, single, nulliparous Chinese females following surgical abortion

This study investigated the acceptability of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUS) as contraception among young, single women after termination of pregnancy. Twenty subjects, with a median age of 21 years, had LNG-IUS inserted immediately after suction termination of first-trimester pregnancy. The subjects were followed-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Fifteen subjects (75%) had other pregnancies terminated in the past. There were no serious complications or pregnancies. The acceptability of the LNG-IUS was generally above 86% during each follow-up visit. A total of seven (35%) subjects were lost to follow-up at different periods of the study. Overall, four subjects (22%) had the LNG-IUS removed. Nine subjects were seen at the end of the 1-year study period and all continued with the LNG-IUS for contraception. Side effects were commonly observed and irregular vaginal bleeding was the most common. We conclude that the LNG-IUS may be an acceptable method among selective young, single, nulliparous clients after termination of pregnancy and could be offered as an option of contraception to them. However, the small sample size and the high lost-to-follow-up rate are the major limitations of this study.