title: Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device is an efficacious contraceptive for women with leiomyoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) as contraception for women with uterine leiomyoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty women with uterine leiomyoma requiring contraception were enrolled and had a LNG-IUD inserted. Menstrual blood volume (assessed by a pictorial blood loss assessment chart [PBAC]), haemoglobin concentration, volume of uterus and leiomyoma were determined before and after LNG-IUD insertion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (range) PBAC score was 145.0 (60.0-232.0) before LNG-IUD insertion, which significantly decreased to 44.0 (0.0-99.0) and 36.0 (0.0-90.0) after 6 and 12 months of LNG-IUD use, respectively. Prior to LNG-IUD insertion, the median haemoglobin concentration in patients with anaemia was 100.0 (69.0-109.0) g/l and this increased significantly after 6 and 12 months of LNG-IUD use, to 117.5 (101.0-131.0) g/l and 119.5 (108.0-135.0) g/l, respectively. There were no significant changes in uterine or leiomyoma volumes. No patient became pregnant and there were no severe side-effects; one IUD was expulsed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LNG-IUD may be a safe and effective contraceptive for women of reproductive age with uterine leiomyoma.
authors.affiliation: Women's Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Z-W
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Y-N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: W-Z
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel