title: Open randomised study of use of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system as alternative to hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether the levonorgestrel intrauterine system could provide a conservative alternative to hysterectomy in the treatment of excessive uterine bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open randomised multicentre study with two parallel groups: a levonorgestrel intrauterine system group and a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gynaecology departments of three hospitals in Finland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty six women aged 33-49 years scheduled to undergo hysterectomy for treatment of excessive uterine bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were randomised either to continue with their current medical treatment or to have a levonorgestrel intrauterine system inserted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Proportion of women cancelling their decision to undergo hysterectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 months, 64.3% (95% confidence interval 44.1 to 81.4%) of the women in the levonorgestrel intrauterine system group and 14.3% (4.0 to 32.7%) in the control group had cancelled their decision to undergo hysterectomy (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system is a good conservative alternative to hysterectomy in the treatment of menorrhagia and should be considered before hysterectomy or other invasive treatments.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lähteenmäki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haukkamaa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puolakka
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Riikonen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sainio
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suvisaari
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D016912:Levonorgestrel