Abstract
This overview focuses on the recent developments in the safety and efficacy of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) on established indications, namely contraception, treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding as well as endometrial protection during estrogen therapy for menopausal symptoms. The LNG-IUS is one of the most efficacious reversible contraceptive methods available. It can be used by various patient groups, including nulliparous women, during breast-feeding, after elective pregnancy termination, in women suffering from various pre-existing medical conditions and menopausal women. This review provides an overview of the published literature on the LNG-IUS from the last 5 years, focusing on cost–effectiveness, safety-related outcomes, the use of LNG-IUS by young and/or nulliparous women as well as by various different patient groups. After decades of dominance by the ‘the Pill’, it is likely that in the future, long-acting reversible contraceptives, such as the LNG-IUS, will become the first-line contraceptive options, owing to their superior contraceptive effectiveness in real-life use, cost–effectiveness as well as their established safety profile.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
P Inki is employed by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals AG, manufacturer of the LNG-IUS. K Gemzell-Danielsson and O Heikinheimo serve occasionally on advisory boards or act as ad hoc invited speakers at scientific meetings for Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals AG. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.