title: The levonorgestrel intrauterine system as an alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of idiopathic menorrhagia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prospective, observational study to determine the percentage of hysterectomies cancelled after a year of treatment with levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) among women diagnosed with idiopathic menorrhagia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-two women with a mean age of 44.3 + or - 4.9 were enrolled. Throughout 1-year follow-up, progressive and significant reduction was observed in number of days of bleeding (8.9 + or - 4.0 vs. 5.0 + or - 5.4), number of sanitary measures (29.3 + or - 19.4 vs. 8.1 + or - 10.8) and percentage of patients having intense/very intense bleeding (98.8%vs. 6.4%). Duration of menstrual cycle significantly increased from 26.9 + or - 5.5 to 52.6 + or - 33.6 days. Significant improvement in overall health-related quality of life was achieved. Patient satisfaction was good/very good in 70.7%. Considering only women who attended 12-month visit satisfaction reached 91.2%. 75.6% of scheduled hysterectomies were cancelled. Adverse effects were recorded in less than 40% of patients with no significant differences between visits. Adverse effects led to premature discontinuation of treatment in seven cases. No serious adverse effects were encountered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LNG-IUS meets the effectiveness and tolerability criteria for being considered as a first choice treatment option for women with idiopathic menorrhagia. Its use may contribute to decrease the large number of hysterectomies scheduled in Spain.
authors: Príncipe de Asturias Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid 28805, Spain. azapicog@sego.es
authors: Alvaro Zapico
authors: AZ
authors: Goñi
authors: Ramón Lanzón
authors: RL
authors: Lacruz
authors: Juan José Parilla
authors: JJ
authors: Paricio
authors: Francisco J
authors: FJ
authors: Hernández Rivas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000009:adverse effects; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000628:therapy*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016912:Levonorgestrel