title: Use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: an Austrian perspective.
abstract: Approximately 12 million women worldwide use the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS), with approximately 180,000 users of this IUS currently reported in Austria. A patient satisfaction study of 591 women in Austria revealed a high number of 'very satisfied' (79%) and 'satisfied' (19%) patients. Reliability, comfort, excellent compatibility and less severe, shorter and less painful monthly periods were the most frequently named advantages of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS. Medication-induced cervical priming before insertion can be carried out on a routine or selective basis (for example in nullipara, in women who have undergone cervical conisation or in women who have previously experienced painful insertion). There is, at present, no evidence of an increased rate of breast cancer through use of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS. A directly comparative study with oral contraceptives in young nullipara showed excellent results for the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS, with no perforations, inflammation or pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, Bregenz, Austria. hans.concin@lkhb.at
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Concin
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bösch
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hintermüller
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hohlweg
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mursch-Edlmayr
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pinnisch
authors.forename: Sigrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidl-Amann
authors.forename: Gunda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schulz-Greinwald
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Unterlerchner
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mattle
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wildt
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiala
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D001317:Austria; D003267:Contraception / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel