Assessment of menstrual blood loss in Belgian users of the frameless copper-releasing IUD with copper surface area of 200 mm2 and users of a copper-levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

D Wildemeersch; P J Rowe

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2004.02.006

Assessment of menstrual blood loss in Belgian users of the frameless copper-releasing IUD with copper surface area of 200 mm2 and users of a copper-levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

Contraception. 2004 Aug;70(2):169-72. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2004.02.006.

Authors

D Wildemeersch¹, P J Rowe

Affiliation

¹ Contrel Research, Ghent, Belgium. dirk.wildemeersch@contrel.be

PMID: 15288224
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2004.02.006

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a miniaturized frameless copper IUD (GyneFix 200 small) and a copper-levonorgestrel (GynePlant) intrauterine system (IUS) on the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL).

Methods: In 60 Belgian women using GyneFix 200 and 21 using GynePlant, MBL was assessed with the visual assessment technique.

Results: MBL scores in GyneFix 200 users did not change from baseline during the mean observation period of 31 months. In GynePlant users, mean MBL scores decreased by at least 50% in all but one user.

Conclusion: The impact of copper IUDs on MBL can be minimized by reducing the surface area of the foreign body. Reduction of MBL, without causing amenorrhea, can be obtained by adding levonorgestrel.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Belgium
Female
Humans
Intrauterine Devices, Copper*
Intrauterine Devices, Medicated*
Levonorgestrel / administration & dosage*
Menstruation*
Middle Aged
Uterine Hemorrhage / etiology
Uterine Hemorrhage / prevention & control*

Substances

Levonorgestrel