Disorders of the female reproductive system are very vast and complicated. One disorder that is associated with abnormally heavy and long menstrual cycles are typically termed menorrhagia. Symptoms for this disorder include soaking through feminine hygiene products hourly, passing large blood clots, and regular activities have to be stopped due to painful cramping or the effects of anemia. Treatments for this condition include costly hormonal therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and contraceptives. (1) Recently doctors tested a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device to see how effective it would be at relieving some of the symptoms associated with menorrhagia.
A group of 571 women who were diagnosed with menorrhagia were divided and treated with two different methods. One method was levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device and the other was typical medical treatment. The typical medical treatment included combination estrogen-progestogen, progesterone, or differing acids. Treatment methods were done for two years and showed an overall improvement both short and long term for those who received the levonorgestrel-IUS. (2)
The levonorgestrel-IUS offers woman a more cost effective and convenient method for those affected monthly with this disorder. A simple intrauterine device now offers relief as well as birth control without painful shots or hormone therapy. Regular checkups are needed to ensure that the device is still positioned correctly as well as effective.
- Menorrhagaia. Mayo Clinic Staff. October 20,2012. Menorrhagia: Definition, Symptoms, & treatments. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menorrhagia. August 4, 2013.
- Gupta, Janesh M.D. Kai, Joe M.D. Middleton, Lee M.Sc. Pattinson, Helen Ph.D. Gray, Richard M.Sc. Daniels, Jane M.Sc. January 10,2013. “Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System versus medical Therapy for Menorrhagia.” New England Journal of Medicine. January 2013. Retrieved from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1204724. August 4, 2013.