Use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device in the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD as therapy for endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum.


METHODS
Prospective therapeutic non-randomized, self-controlled clinical trial analyzing changes in pain symptoms and size of lesions induced by the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD over 12 months.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center for treatment of deep endometriosis.


METHODS
Eleven symptomatic patients with rectovaginal endometriosis.


METHODS
A levonorgestrel-releasing IUD was inserted and maintained for 12 months.


METHODS
Severity of dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and deep dyspareunia were assessed before insertion of the IUD and throughout treatment. The size of rectovaginal endometriotic lesions were evaluated by using transrectal and transvaginal ultrasonography.


RESULTS
Dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and deep dyspareunia greatly improved and the size of the endometriotic lesions was significantly reduced by treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD alleviates pain and reduces the size of lesions in patients with endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum.
Department of Maternal and Child Health, Biology and Genetics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. obgynclin@univr.it
L
L
Fedele
S
S
Bianchi
G
G
Zanconato
A
A
Portuese
R
R
Raffaelli
D000328:Adult; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000188:drug therapy; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
D016912:Levonorgestrel