Objective: To review the endometrial safety and patient acceptability of long-term use of continuous transdermal estrogen substitution combined with intrauterine release of levonorgestrel (LNG) in postmenopausal women.Design: One-hundred and fifty-three women who utilized the regimen for 2 IUD cycles were followed-up for a period of 10 years. Histology of the endometrium was evaluated at the end of this period to assess endometrial safety and the acceptability of the method was assessed based on the replacement rate of the LNG-IUS and continuation of ET.Results: The regimen, administered over a 10-year period, was very well tolerated and the IUD was retained well and no expulsions occurred. The dominant endometrial histologic picture was that of inactive endometrium characterized by glandular atrophy and stroma decidualization (Kurman classification 5b). No cases of endometrial hyperplasia were found.Conclusion: The low systemic absorption of LNG could be desirable, thus allowing for maximization of the beneficial effects of ET on organ tissues (e.g. cardiovascular tissues and breast). Repeat LNG-IUS is associated with high patient satisfaction. If started before the age of 60, this regimen could be advised for lifelong prevention of cardiovascular disease and other prevention measures. The LNG-IUS was shown to effectively oppose the secondary effects of systemic estrogen on the endometrium tissue resulting in strong suppression during the entire period of EPT.
The IUD (intra uterine device) is a highly effective method of contraception that is underused. New developments in intrauterine technology, smaller frameless copper and levonorgestrel-releasing devices, could help increase the prevalence-- of use in adolescents and nulliparous women. Because adolescents and young nulliparous women contribute disproportionately to the epidemic of unintended pregnancies, long-acting methods of contraception, particularly IUDs, should be considered as first-line choices for interval, emergency and immediate post-abortal contraception in this population of women. As the uterine cavity is generally much smaller in this group than in older women, adapted IUDs may be very useful. Compatibility of the IUD with the small uterine cavity leads to high acceptability and continuation of use, a prerequisite to reduce unintended pregnancies. A strategic advantage of IUDs is that, unlike the Pill, they are genuinely 'fit-and-forget'. In use, they are much more effective than Pills in this age group. However, copper intrauterine devices do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and, therefore, they are not always the methods of first choice for teenagers and nulliparous women. New evidence, however, from the World Health -Organization and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, shows that IUDs can be used and that they are safe for most women, including adolescents.
Prevention of progression to invasive carcinoma in patients with a premalignant endometrial lesion using longterm treatment with levonorgestrel (LNG) releasing intrauterine systems (IUS) remains controversial, especially when manifest cellular atypia has been found in the endometrial biopsy specimen. We present a case of a 44-year old premenopausal woman with a premalignant uterine polyp who declined hysterectomy and was followed-up for more than 12 years after the first LNG-IUS was inserted. Endometrial atrophy installed, no pathology was detected and hysterectomy was thereby successfully avoided. The positive experience in this case should encourage further studies as literature data indicate that conservative treatment of premalignant endometrial pathology is a real option with a high success rate for women who have a contra-indication for surgery, refuse the classical approach for personal reasons or want to preserve their fertility.
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