Abstract
There is currently one medicated intrauterine device on the market for clinical use; Mirena®, which releases levonorgestel. Mirena has widely replaced Progestasert®, which released progesterone. The levonorgestel released by Mirena into the uterine cavity not only increases the contraceptive efficacy of the intrauterine device but also has many beneficial effects on women’s health. This article reviews the contraceptive efficacy of this medicated intrauterine device, the health effects of progestin delivered onto the endometrial surface and its therapeutic use in clinical practice.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Nicholas Bolton for his expert language revision of this review. We are deeply grateful to The Ford Foundation for their support over the past 15 years, which has made independent developmental work possible; to the US Agency for International Development and to The Population Council (NY, USA) for support; and to the Council’s International Committee fo Contraceptive Research and Family Health International (NC, USA) for cooperation and intellectual support.