title: Comparison between the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and thermal balloon ablation in the treatment of menorrhagia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of endometrial thermal ablation and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the management of menorrhagia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty women attending a gynaecology clinic at a District General Hospital in south-west England were randomised to either surgical treatment using thermal ablation (Thermochoice, Gynecare) or medical treatment using a LNG-IUS (Mirena, Schering Healthcare). A pictorial menstrual chart was completed pre-insertion/operatively and again at 6 months post-insertion/operatively. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney) were used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up analysis was possible in 23 women in the Thermochoice group and 21 women in the Mirena group. The menstrual scores were slightly higher in the Thermochoice group (median 101) than the Mirena group (median 75) (P=0.025) pre-insertion/operatively but this difference was lost post-insertion/operatively (P=0.689) with median menstrual scores of 27 for the Thermochoice group and 19 for the Mirena group, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both Thermochoice endometrial ablation and a Mirena LNG-IUS are equally effective in the management of menorrhagia. The choice of treatment should be tailored to the woman's needs and preferences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, Devon, UK. julian.barrington@sdevonhc-tr.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Julian W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Barrington
authors.forename: Angamuthu S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Arunkalaivanan
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdel-Fattah
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002404:Catheterization; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D016912:Levonorgestrel