Bleeding patterns with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system when used for heavy menstrual bleeding in women without structural pelvic pathology: a pooled analysis of randomized controlled studies

Abstract

Background: The study was conducted to characterize the changes in bleeding pattern over time in women receiving the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). The reduction in menstrual blood loss volume has been well documented elsewhere.

Study design: Post hoc pooled analysis of the impact of the LNG-IUS on bleeding patterns in four comparator studies of medical and surgical treatment options for HMB. We enrolled women aged ≥18 years with HMB without organic pathology. The change in the number of bleeding and spotting (B/S) days and bleeding patterns was assessed over the duration of the studies pooled.

Results: One hundred and sixty-three women received the LNG-IUS in randomized trials. Relative to pretreatment baseline, there was a transient increase in the mean number of bleeding days in the first month of treatment, which returned to baseline by the second month and declined thereafter. Although the number of spotting days also increased during the first month of treatment, these declined with continued use but remained elevated relative to baseline during the first year of treatment.

Conclusion: In women with HMB, the LNG-IUS is associated with an initial increase in number of B/S days that improve over time.