Comparison of the effects of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) and depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) on subendometrial microvascularisation and uterine artery blood flow.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of the levonorgestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on subendometrial vascularisation and uterine artery blood flow.


METHODS
The trial compared 25 patients wearing a LNG-IUS and 25 patients receiving DMPA. The subendometrial blood flow was evaluated using power Doppler analysis; the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) in the uterine artery and spiral arteries were evaluated with spectral Doppler.


RESULTS
The PI and RI of the uterine artery and endometrial thickness did not differ significantly between the two groups. The subendometrial vascularisation was lower and the PI in the spiral arteries was higher in DMPA-users.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of a similar prevalence of bleeding disturbances, the effects of DMPA and the LNG-IUS on the subendometrial microvascularisation differ.
Dane
Banu
B
Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Haseki Training & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. banudane@yahoo.com
Akca
Aysu
A
Dane
Cem
C
Evcimen
Serap
S
Cetin
Ahmet
A
D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate