Review, 2001
What medical problems can the levonorgestrel intrauterine device treat?
The levonorgestrel IUD can treat heavy periods, period pain, and prevent anemia. It may also help endometriosis pain, though this is based on a review article rather than new clinical research.
What they did
This is a review article discussing medical uses of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG IUS), which releases hormone directly into the uterus.
What they found
The LNG IUS can be used to treat and prevent anemia, treat menorrhagia (heavy periods), and treat dysmenorrhea (period pain). It protects the uterus from the effects of estrogen during hormone replacement therapy. It shows promise for treating endometriosis and protecting the uterus when tamoxifen is used for breast cancer treatment.
What it means for you
The LNG IUS is a device that can treat several menstrual and reproductive health problems by releasing hormone locally in the uterus rather than throughout the body. The article emphasizes that good counseling and provider training are important for successful use. This is a review article, so the evidence for some uses (like endometriosis) is still being developed.
About the study
- Original title
- Therapeutic use of the LNG IUS, and counseling
- Authors
- Pakarinen P, Toivonen J, Luukkainen T
- Journal
- Seminars in reproductive medicine
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Review
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-18644
Topics
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