title: Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system versus a low-dose combined oral contraceptive for treatment of adenomyotic uteri: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compares the efficacy of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and a low-dose combined oral contraceptive (COC) in reducing adenomyosis-related pain and bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized clinical trial included 62 participants complaining of pain and bleeding that was associated with adenomyosis. Participants were randomly assigned to either LNG-IUS or COC treatment. The outcomes included the improvement of pain using a visual analogue scale, menstrual blood loss using a menstrual diary and estimated uterine volume by ultrasound for 6 months of treatment. We also compared uterine arteries and intramyometrial Doppler indices before and 6 months after treatment with both LNG-IUS and COCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both treatments significantly reduced pain after 6 months of use; however, the reduction was greater in the LNG-IUS group (from 6.23±0.67 to 1.68±1.25) compared with the COCs group (from 6.55±0.68 to 3.90±0.54). Both treatment arms significantly decreased the number of bleeding days, uterine volume and Doppler blood flow in the uterus from before to after treatment. These effects were more significant in the LNG-IUS arm compared with the COC arm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both LNG-IUS and COCs decreased the pain and menstrual bleeding that is associated with adenomyosis. However, LNG-IUS is more effective than the COCs in reducing pain and menstrual blood loss. This effect may be secondary to the decrease in uterine volume and the increase in blood flow resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt. Electronic address: omshaaban2000@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Omar M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Shaaban
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohammed K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ali Mohamed A
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sabra
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Diaa Eldeen M
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Abd El Aal
mesh_terms: D062788:Adenomyosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D016912:Levonorgestrel
keywords: Adenomyosis; COCs; Dysmenorrhea; LNG-IUS; Mirena