The use of levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system for treatment of menorrhagia in women with inherited bleeding disorders

• Published in: BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Vol. 111; no. 12; pp. 1425 - 1428
• Main Authors: Kingman, C.E.C., Kadir, R.A., Lee, C.A., Economides, D.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK and Malden, USA Blackwell Science Ltd 01.12.2004; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Coagulation Disorders, Inherited - complications; Contraceptive Agents, Female - administration & dosage; Female; Female genital diseases; Follow-Up Studies; Gynecology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Hemorrhage; Humans; Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; Levonorgestrel - administration & dosage; Medical disorders; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Menorrhagia - drug therapy; Menorrhagia - genetics; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Pilot Projects; Platelet diseases and coagulopathies; Prospective Studies; Women; Human; Menstruation disorders; Intrauterine administration; Gynecology; Levonorgestrel; Hemopathy; Hemorrhage; Obstetrics; Menorrhagia; Female genital diseases; Progestagen; Genetic disease; Uterine diseases; Adult; Female; Contraceptive; Fetal therapy; Coagulopathy
• ISSN: 1470-0328; 1471-0528
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00305.x

Background  The levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) is used commonly by gynaecologists as a contraceptive and to treat menorrhagia. However, its efficacy has not been examined in women with inherited bleeding disorders. Design  A prospective pilot study. Setting  A teaching hospital in north London with a designated haemophilia centre. Population  Female patients with a known inherited bleeding disorder. Methods  Sixteen women with subjective and objective menorrhagia caused by inherited bleeding disorders (13 von Willebrand's Disease, two factor XI deficiency and one Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome), who had previously undergone unsuccessful medical treatment were followed up for nine months after LNG‐IUS insertion. Bleeding was measured by pictorial chart and haemoglobin concentration. Main outcome measure  Results  All women reported that their periods were improved, pictorial chart scores were lower and 56% became amenorrhoeic. None reported side effects. Conclusion  The LNG‐IUS is well tolerated and effective and improves quality of life.