Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2008 Aug;139(2):169-75.
The effectiveness of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system
(LNG-IUS) in the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia--a long-term
follow-up study.
Varma R, Soneja H, Bhatia K, Ganesan R, Rollason T, Clark TJ, Gupta JK.
Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK. r.varma@bham.ac.uk
Objectives:
Medical treatment of non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia with oral progestogens has limited efficacy and poor compliance. A levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) has been shown to successfully treat hyperplasia in small-sized studies. Our aim was to examine the effectiveness of LNG-IUS in a larger study with long-term follow up.
Study Design:
Prospective observational study of 105 women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia and treated with LNG-IUS between 1999 and 2004 at a University Teaching hospital. Baseline characteristics and outpatient endometrial Pipelle sampling were undertaken at 3 and 6 months post LNG-IUS insertion and 6-monthly intervals thereafter in all cases. Outcome included histological data derived from both Pipelle and uterine histologies at 1 and 2 years LNG-IUS therapy.
Results:
LNG-IUS achieved endometrial regression in 90% (94/105) of cases by 2 years, with a significant proportion (96%, 90/94) achieving this within 1 year. Regression occurred in 88/96 (92%) of non-atypical and 6/9 (67%) of atypical hyperplasias, and in all 22 cases of endometrial hyperplasia associated with HRT. Regression rates did not differ between histological types of hyperplasia. Twenty-three women (22%) underwent hysterectomy of which 13 were indicated and 10 were performed at patient re quest despite regressed endometrium. Two cases of cancer (one uterine and one ovarian) were identified.
Conclusion:
LNG-IUS is highly effective in treating endometrial hyperplasia. Beneficial effects are observed by the majority within 1 year. Treatment can be reliably monitored through regular 6-montly outpatient endometrial Pipelle surveillance. LNG-IUS treatment of non-atypical hyperplasias is likely to reduce the number of hysterectomies performed in this subgroup.
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- 1 What types of hormone contraceptives are available?
- 2 How effective are hormonal contraceptives?
- 3 How do hormone contraceptives work?
Progestogen-only pills
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Long-acting hormonal contraception.?
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Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System - LNG-IUS - Mirena
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