The levonorgestrel intra-uterine system: Therapeutic application in familyplanning

Objective. To assess the non-contraceptive benefits of the levonorgestrel i ntra-uterine system 12 months following insertion in a family planning sett ing. Design. Postal questionnaire survey. Setting. Family planning clinics at the Ulster and Bangor Hospitals. Subjects. Eighty-six consecutive subjects fitted with the levonorgestrel in tra-uterine system, Results. Response rate 87,3%, Outcome measured in ter ms of compliance, sat isfaction and menstrual symptomatology. Reasons for insertion were as follo ws: 21.7% contraception only; 65.2% menorrhagia, 24.6% dysmenorrhoea and 1. 4% premenstrual syndrome. Duration of menses was 8.25 days pre-insertion an d 2.41 days at 12 months. Of the subjects, 59.4% experienced at least one h ormonal side effect; 10.1% of systems were removed within 12 months, At 12 months 86.9% of women were satisfied and 9.8% of women planned to discontin ue. Conclusion. The levonorgestrel intra-uterine system was acceptable to almos t 80% of women after 12 months, with significant reduction in duration of m enses. Family planning clinics are an ideal setting to implement the guidel ines for the initial management of menorrhagia.