[Efficacy and adverse effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in treatment of adenomyosis].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) in the treatment of adenomyosis.

METHODS

The clinical data of 75 patients with adenomyosis who had Mirena insertion in Women's Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine from September 2013 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were followed up to 39 months. The efficacy and adverse effects were assessed.

RESULTS

Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC) scores were decreased significantly after Mirena insertion both in patients with menorrhea (118±13 vs. 29±33, <0.01) and normal menstruation (82±15 vs. 14±13, <0.01); the patients with menorrhea showed a more significant decrease in PBAC score than those with normal menstruation (90±35 vs. 69±19,<0.01). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased significantly after Mirena insertion compared with pre-treatment[7(6,7) vs. 1(0,2), <0.01]. The expulsion of Mirena occurred in 18 cases (24.0%); 9 cases (12.0%) had no effect and 28 cases (37.3%) had changes of menstruation patterns. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the expulsion of Mirena was not associated with post-treatment VAS score, PBAC score before and after treatment or menstrual stabilization time (all >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Mirena is effective and safe in the long term management of adenomyosis, but about one third patients may require further treatment because of the expulsion or ineffectiveness of Mirena.