Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: uses and controversies

Luis Bahamondes, Luís Bahamondes, M Valeria Bahamondes, Ilza Monteiro
Expert review of medical devices · 2008 · vol. 5(4) , pp. 437–445 · doi:10.1586/17434440.5.4.437 · PMID:18573044 · W2101145123
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-10 ⓘ

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system demonstrates high contraceptive efficacy and therapeutic benefits for menorrhagia, endometriosis, and endometrial hyperplasia, with potential to reduce hysterectomies.

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Abstract

This article provides a perspective on the use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system as a contraceptive method and as therapy in different situations, as well as presenting the corresponding controversies and unresolved issues. All studies have reported high contraceptive efficacy, an improvement in menstrual blood loss in women with idiopathic menorrhagia, menorrhagia due to thrombophilic diseases and fibroids, and excellent endometrial protection during postmenopausal estrogen therapy. Moreover, the device is able to reduce pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea as well as improve the staging of endometriosis and adenomyosis, and to control, albeit partially, endometrial hyperplasia. The expectation is that in years to come the number of hysterectomies and female sterilizations will fall due to increased use of the device, including use by patients with endometriosis and HIV-positive women. It would also be desirable to develop a smaller device for postmenopausal women and nulligravidas.

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Condition tags

endometriosisadenomyosisdysmenorrhea

MeSH descriptors

Contraception Contraceptive Agents, Female Genital Diseases, Female Intrauterine Devices, Medicated Intrauterine Devices, Medicated Levonorgestrel Contraception Contraceptive Agents, Female Contraceptive Agents, Female Contraceptive Agents, Female Endometrial Hyperplasia Endometrial Hyperplasia Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Estrogen Replacement Therapy Estrogen Replacement Therapy Female Genital Diseases, Female

Citation neighborhood

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References (100)

Cited by (10)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK