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The Levonorgestrel‐Releasing Intrauterine Device: A Wider Role Than Contraception
Author(s) -
Coleman Matthew,
McCowan Lesley,
Farquhar Cynthia
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1997.tb02253.x
Subject(s) - levonorgestrel , pelvic inflammatory disease , medicine , hysterectomy , intrauterine device , obstetrics , menstruation , gynecology , ectopic pregnancy , family planning , pelvic pain , uterine fibroids , pregnancy , population , research methodology , surgery , environmental health , biology , genetics
Summary: The Levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine device (LNG IUD) provides excellent contraception; it may reduce the rate of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy compared to other ‘modern’ copper releasing IUDs; it can safely be used in the puerperium for breast‐feeding mothers, and it significantly reduces menstrual blood loss and pain. While it was developed primarily as a contraceptive, its potential role in managing heavy and painful menstruation and the symptoms of the climacteric may eventually be just as important. Amongst developed countries New Zealand and Australia have some of the highest hysterectomy rates. By the age of 50 years 1 in 4 women in New Zealand and 1 in 5 women in Australia will have had a hysterectomy (A, B). In New Zealand 90% of these are performed for heavy menstrual bleeding and fibroids (A). The LNG IUD has been shown to be effective treatment for both these conditions and its introduction to New Zealand and Australia would offer women an additional choice beyond surgery.