Women’s preferences for the levonorgestrel intrauterine system versus endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding

M. Brink, Pleun Beelen, Malou C. Herman, Nathalie J.J. Claassen, Marlies Y. Bongers, Peggy M. A. J. Geomini, Jan Willem van der Steeg, Lotte van den Wijngaard, Madelon van Wely
In: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology · 2018 · vol. 228 , pp. 143–147 · doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.06.020 · PMID:29945042 · W2808469343
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This study investigated women's preferences for the levonorgestrel intrauterine system and endometrial ablation as treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding.

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Abstract

ObjectivesWomen's preferences for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) are important in clinical decision-making. Our aim was to investigate whether women with HMB have a preference for treatment characteristics of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) or endometrial ablation and to assess the relative importance of these characteristics.Study designA discrete choice experiment was performed in general practices and gynaecology outpatient clinics in the Netherlands. Women with HMB were asked to choose between hypothetical profiles containing characteristics of LNG-IUS or endometrial ablation. Characteristics included procedure performed by gynaecologist or general practitioner; reversibility of the procedure; probability of dysmenorrhea; probability of irregular bleeding; additional use of contraception; need to repeat the procedure after five years; and treatment containing hormones. Data were analysed using panel mixed logit models. The main outcome measures were the relative importance of the characteristics and willingness to make trade-offs.Results165 women completed the questionnaire; 36 (22%) patients were recruited from general practices and 129 (78%) patients were recruited from gynaecology outpatient clinics. The characteristic found most important was whether a treatment contains hormones. Women preferred a treatment without hormones, a treatment with the least side effects, and no need for a repeat procedure or additional contraception. Women completing the questionnaire at the gynaecology outpatient clinic differed from women in primary care in their preference for a definitive treatment to be performed by a gynaecologist.ConclusionsWhether or not a treatment contains hormones was the most important characteristic influencing patient treatment choice for HMB. Participants preferred characteristics that were mostly related to endometrial ablation, but were willing to trade-off between characteristics.

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