Clinical experiences of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in Korean women with adenomyosis

Kim, Da Hee; Park, Dong Soo; Kim, Mi La; Yoon, Bo Sung; Song, Taejong; Kim, Mi Kyung; Jun, Hye Sun; Seong, Seok Ju

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical experiences of patients who treated with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for adenomyosis associated with dysmenorrhea and/or menorrhagia.
METHODS
The LNG-IUS was inserted into 103 patients who were diagnosed with adenomyosis on ultrasound examination and suffered from dysmenorrhea or menorrhagia at CHA Gangnam Medical Center between January 2009 and December 2009. Symptomatic changes of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, side effects, and failure rates were evaluated, retrospectively.
RESULTS
During the follow-up periods, dysmenorrhea was improved in 91.4% and menorrhagia was improved in 90.4% of patients. Most common side effects were prolonged vaginal spotting in 41 (39.8%), and expulsion of LNG-IUS in 32 (31.1%) patients. Six (5.7%) patients were premature removal of LNG-IUS and 9 (8.5%) patients were underwent hysterectomy. Overall 77 (74.8%) patients continued to use of LNG-IUS.
CONCLUSION
The LNG-IUS is effective treatment option for management of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia for patients with clinical diagnosis of adenomyosis. It seemed to be an alternative treatment method before hysterectomy.