title: Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system vs. endometrial thermal ablation for menorrhagia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System (LNG-IUS) in controlling menorrhagia in comparison with endometrial thermal rollerball ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-nine consecutive patients with menorrhagia underwent either LNG-IUS insertion (n=42) or hysteroscopical endometrial thermal rollerball ablation (n=37) in a prospective, observational, comparative study. Women reported duration of uterine bleeding in days prior to, and six and 12 months after each intervention. Prior to each intervention, endometrial, cervical or other pathological conditions of the genital tract were excluded. GnRH analogues for endometrial suppression were given for ten weeks before endometrial ablation but not prior to LNG-IUS insertion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in duration of uterine bleeding before each intervention in the two groups. The duration of uterine bleeding was lower in the LNG-IUS group as compared with endometrial ablation at six (p<0.001) and 12 months (p<0.001) after each intervention. Furthermore, the effect on reduction of bleeding was stronger in the LNG-IUS group as compared with the endometrial ablation group at six (p<0.001) and 12 months (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LNG-IUS was more efficacious than endometrial thermal ablation in reducing duration of uterine bleeding at six and 12 months post-intervention.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Periferiaki Odos Thessalonikis, N. Efkarpia, Thessaloniki, Greece. theodtheo@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Theodoros D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Theodoridis
authors.forename: Leonidas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zepiridis
authors.forename: Menelaos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zafrakas
authors.forename: Grigoris
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grimbizis
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tantsis
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kyrou
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Bontis
mesh_terms: D055356:Endometrial Ablation Techniques / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000191:economics; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016912:Levonorgestrel