Abstract
Clinical trials have consistently shown that the IUD that releases 20 μg levonorgestrel daily (LNG-IUD-20) has a contraceptive efficacy comparable to, if not surpassing, the Copper T380 and the Multiload Copper-375 IUDs.
The focus of this review is the device's non-contraceptive effects — the beneficial ones, such as reduction of menorrhagia, a therapeutic effect on dysmenorrhea, and prevention of ectopic pregnancy, as well as the deleterious ones, such as amenorrhea, spotting and irregular bleeding, hormonal side-effects, and functional ovarian cysts. Also discussed are the possibility of a preventive effect on pelvic inflammatory disease, the effects of the IUD on postpartum/lactating women, fertility return after removal and other safety issues.
In general, the LNG-IUD-20's non-contraceptive benefits are substantive, carry important medical and public health implications, and far outweigh the device's deleterious effects, which are either medically mild or transient in nature, and can usually be managed satisfactorily by counseling.
A better understanding of these effects, both beneficial and deleterious, of this hormone-releasing IUD should lead to more effective patient counseling, which, in turn, should improve user quality of life, minimize unnecessary removals, and maximize continuation of use.
Resumé
Les essais cliniques ont invariablement montré que le DIU libérant chaque jour 20 μg de lévonorgestrel (LNG-IUD-20) a une utilité contraceptive comparable, sinon supérieure, à celle des dispositifs Copper T380 et Multiload Copper-375.
Le présent article est axé non seulement sur les effets non contraceptifs du dispositif, ceux qui sont bénéfiques, tels qu'une réduction de la ménorragie, un effet thérapeutique sur la dysménorrhée, la prévention des grossesses ectopiques, mais aussi sur les effets délétères tels que l'aménorrhée, les microrragies et les pertes sanguines irrégulières, les effets hormonaux secondaires et les kystes fonctionnels ovariens. Y est examinée aussi la possibilité d'un effet préventif des maladies pelviennes inflammatories, les effets du DIU chez les femmes lors du post-partum et de la lactation, le retour à la fécondité après le retrait et d'autres aspects de sécurité.
En général, les avantages non contraceptifs du LNG-IUD-20 sont considérables, ont d'importantes incidences médicales et en matière de santé publique, et compensent très largement les effets délétères du dispositif, lesquels sont soit bénins du point de vue médical soit passagers et peuvent en général être convenablement surmontés en demandant conseil.
Une meilleure connaissance des effets, bénéfiques et délétères, de ce DIU libérant des hormones devrait permettre de mieux conseiller les patientes, ce qui devrait du même coup améliorer la qualité de la vie des utilisatrices, réduire au minimum les retraits inutiles du dispositif et maximaliser la poursuite de son utilisation.
Resumen
Los ensayos clínicos realizados señalaron sistemáticamente que el DIU que descarga 20 μg de levonorgestrel diariamente (LNG-DIU-20) tiene una eficacia anticonceptiva similar o incluso superior a la de los DIU CuT380 y Multiload Cu375.
Este examen se centra en los efectos no anticonceptivos del dispositivo, los benéficos, tales como la reducción de la menorragia, el efecto terapéutico sobre la dismenorrea y la prevención del embarazo ectópico, así como los perjudiciales, por ejemplo, la amenorrea, las pérdidas y el sangrado irregular, los efectos secundarios hormonales y los quistes ováricos funcionales. También se examina la posibilidad de un efecto preventivo de la enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica (PID), los efectos del DIU sobre mujeres de posparto/lactantes, el retorno de la fecundidad después del retiro y otras cuestiones de seguridad.
En general, los beneficios no anticonceptivos de los LNG-DIU-20 son significativos, tienen importantes repercusiones médicas y de salud pública, y compensan con creces los efectos perjudiciales del dispositivo, que son médicamente ligeros o bien de naturaleza pasajera, y pueden ser manejados satisfactoriamente, en términos generales, mediante un asesoramiento adecuado.
Una mejor comprensión de los efectos, tanto benéficos como perjudiciales, de estos DIU de descarga hormonal habrá de llevar a un mayor asesoramiento de pacientes, lo cual, a su vez, mejorará la calidad de vida de las usuarias, reducirá al mínimo los retiros innecesarios y aumentará al máximo la continuación del uso.
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Chi, I.C., Farr, G. The non-contraceptive effects of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device. Adv Contracept 10, 271–285 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01984125
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01984125