Acceptability and clinical outcomes of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding among perimenopausal women: a prospective interventional study

In: International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2026 · vol. 15(7) , pp. 2660–2664 · doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20262119 · W7166154974
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This study found that the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) significantly reduced bleeding and dysmenorrhea in perimenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding, with a 64.2% continuation rate at one year.

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This prospective single-arm interventional study evaluated acceptability and clinical outcomes of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in 120 perimenopausal women aged 40–55 who opted for conservative management, with follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months to assess bleeding pattern, dysmenorrhea, continuation rate, expulsion, and need for hysterectomy. Adenomyosis (53.3%) and fibroid uterus (45.0%) were the most common etiologies, and breakthrough bleeding decreased progressively, with 30.0% achieving amenorrhea and 69.2% reporting light menstrual bleeding at one year. Continuation at one year was 64.2%, while 35.8% underwent hysterectomy; device expulsion occurred in 2.5%. A key limitation is the lack of a comparator group, which restricts causal interpretation of outcomes. This paper is centrally about endometriosis and/or adenomyosis — it includes adenomyosis as a predominant AUB etiology and reports LNG-IUS outcomes in this perimenopausal population.

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Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the acceptability and clinical outcomes of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) among perimenopausal women. Methods: This prospective single-arm interventional study without a comparator group study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital from March 2022 to March 2025. A total of 120 perimenopausal women aged 40-55 years presenting with AUB and opting for conservative management were enrolled. LNG-IUS was inserted following appropriate clinical evaluation and counselling. Participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Outcomes assessed included bleeding pattern, dysmenorrhea, continuation rate, expulsion, and need for hysterectomy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: The mean age of participants was 49.21 years, and the majority were multiparous (82.5%). Adenomyosis (53.3%) and fibroid uterus (45.0%) were the predominant etiologies. A progressive reduction in breakthrough bleeding was observed during follow-up. At one year, 30.0% of women achieved amenorrhea, while 69.2% reported light menstrual bleeding. The continuation rate of LNG-IUS at one year was 64.2%, whereas 35.8% of participants opted for hysterectomy. Device expulsion occurred in 2.5% of cases. Conclusions: LNG-IUS may serve as an effective and acceptable conservative treatment option for perimenopausal women with AUB. It significantly improves bleeding patterns and may reduce the need for surgical intervention in appropriately selected patients.
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Background

The objective of the study was to evaluate the acceptability and clinical outcomes of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) among perimenopausal women.

Methods

This prospective single-arm interventional study without a comparator group study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital from March 2022 to March 2025. A total of 120 perimenopausal women aged 40-55 years presenting with AUB and opting for conservative management were enrolled. LNG-IUS was inserted following appropriate clinical evaluation and counselling. Participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Outcomes assessed included bleeding pattern, dysmenorrhea, continuation rate, expulsion, and need for hysterectomy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.

Results

The mean age of participants was 49.21 years, and the majority were multiparous (82.5%). Adenomyosis (53.3%) and fibroid uterus (45.0%) were the predominant etiologies. A progressive reduction in breakthrough bleeding was observed during follow-up. At one year, 30.0% of women achieved amenorrhea, while 69.2% reported light menstrual bleeding. The continuation rate of LNG-IUS at one year was 64.2%, whereas 35.8% of participants opted for hysterectomy. Device expulsion occurred in 2.5% of cases.

Conclusions

LNG-IUS may serve as an effective and acceptable conservative treatment option for perimenopausal women with AUB. It significantly improves bleeding patterns and may reduce the need for surgical intervention in appropriately selected patients. Metrics

References

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