Acceptability and performance of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterinesystem (Mirena (R)) in Campinas, Brazil

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the acceptability of the LNG- IUS Mirena(R), when offered as an additional option in a free choice contex t, and to evaluate the possibility of using this method in women with incre ased bleeding wanting an IUD and in copper IUD users requesting removal of the device for bleeding problems. A total of 256 women chose Mirena and wer e accepted into the study during the enrollment period. This represents 23. 3% of all new accepters of contraceptive methods in the clinic during the s ame period. Discontinuations were fairly evenly distributed among expulsion , bleeding changes, pain, and personal reasons. Bleeding changes were decre ased bleeding, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. Comparing the performance in t he group of women who chose the LNG-IUS as a first option with those having heavy bleeding, the only difference found was a higher expulsion rate in t he group with bleeding problems. No pregnancies occurred and continuation r ate was slightly over 75% in the total sample and in both groups. The chara cteristics of the LNG-IUS (Mirena) allow predicting that this method can ef fectively contribute to the increase in contraceptive options when introduc ed to family planning programs in Brazil. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. Al l rights reserved.