title: Levonorgestrel releasing-intrauterine system for the treatment of menorrhagia and/or frequent irregular uterine bleeding associated with uterine leiomyoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of the levonorgestrel releasing-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the treatment of menorrhagia and/or frequent irregular uterine bleeding in women with uterine myomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study whereby 102 women with intramural myomas (in a few cases associated with submucous or subserous myomas), suffering from menorrhagia and/or frequent irregular uterine bleeding, were evaluated by means of the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC; Higham score) and ultrasound, three, six and 12 months after insertion of a LNG-IUS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PBAC score dropped (from a mean value of 231.7 to 17.6 at 12 months). The duration of menstrual bleeding diminished significantly (p<0.001). Uterine volume decreased from a mean of 145 cm3 to 129 cm3 at 12 months (p=0.01). Changes in the volume of the myomas were not statistically significant (p=0.23). Satisfaction rate was good in 91 cases (89%), fair in four cases (4%), and poor in seven cases (7%). During the one-year period of follow-up, 11 cases of expulsion or removal of the LNG-IUS were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LNG-IUS is effective in controlling heavy menorrhagia and/or frequent irregular uterine bleeding related to the presence of myomas, but has no significant effect on the size of the tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine, and Cuza Voda Maternity University Hospital, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Demetra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Socolov
authors.forename: Iolanda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blidaru
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tamba
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miron
authors.forename: Lucian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boiculese
authors.forename: Razvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Socolov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007433:Intrauterine Device Expulsion; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel