Changes in bone mineral density of users of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in patients using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) or a TCu380A intrauterine device (IUD) after 2 years.


METHODS
The medical records of all patients who underwent LNG-IUS (n=38) or TCu380A IUD (n=26) insertion from May 2006 through December 2010 were reviewed. The patients were 40 to 45 years old at the time of insertion, had undergone a BMD examination of the femur and lumbar spine before the loop insertion, and had also received a follow-up BMD examination 2 years later. Patients were excluded if risk factors known to affect BMD were noted in their medical records. The 2 groups of patients were compared with regard to age, parity, body-mass index (BMI), and levels of osteocalcin and pyridinoline. Changes in BMI, osteocalcin, and pyridinoline after 2 years were also compared.


RESULTS
The LNG-IUS and TCu380A IUD groups showed no differences in mean age, mean parity, mean BMI, preinsertion or postinsertion BMD values of the femur or lumbar spine, changes after 2 years in the BMD of the femur or lumbar spine, or changes after 2 years in osteocalcin or pyridinoline level (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Women using the LNG-IUS for 2 years have changes in BMD and osteocalcin and pyridinoline levels similar to those of TCu380A IUD users. The use of the LNG-IUS for 2 years may have no adverse effect on BMD.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyung Hee Medical Center, Kyung Hee University, Republic of Korea.
Ki Yeol
KY
Yang
Young Sun
YS
Kim
Young Il
YI
Ji
Min Hyung
MH
Jung
D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism
D000596:Amino Acids; D015675:Osteocalcin; D016912:Levonorgestrel; C015484:pyridinoline