Return to fertility after removal of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device and Nova-T.
In a European randomized multicenter study, the efficacy and safety of an intrauterine contraceptive device releasing 20 microgram levonorgestrel/24 hours (LNG-IUD) have been evaluated and compared to the Nova-T. Because the LNG-IUD has a strongly suppressive effect on the endometrium and in some women affects ovarian function, the return to fertility after removal of the IUD was studied. Two-hundred-nine women (71 in the Nova-T and 138 in the LNG-IUD group), who had their IUDs removed because of planning pregnancy, were followed at least 24 months or until termination of pregnancy. For the Nova-T, the cumulative conception gross rate was 71.2/100 women after 12 months (79.7 after 24 months) and for the LNG-IUD 79.1 (86.6 after 24 months). The difference between the devices is not statistically significant, and in spite of the endometrial suppression during use of LNG-IUD, there is no delay of return to fertility and in both groups 96% of the pregnancies occurred during the first year after removal of the device. Eighty-four % of the pregnancies in the Nova-T group and eighty-six % in the LNG-IUD group ended in live births. The results suggest that the endometrium recovers quickly, normal ovulations are established and the fertility seems to be unaffected after use of an LNG-IUD.
Andersson
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Batar
I
I
Rybo
G
G
D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005306:Fertilization; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000009:adverse effects; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000009:adverse effects; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013997:Time Factors
D016912:Levonorgestrel