Menstrual blood loss in women using the frameless FibroPlant® LNG-IUS

Abstract Background This study was conducted to report on a menstrual blood loss (MBL) study and iron stores in women with and without heavy menstrual bleeding using the frameless FibroPlant ® levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for contraception. Study design An open, prospective, noncomparative MBL study, using FibroPlant ® releasing 14 mcg of LNG/day for contraception. MBL was assessed by the quantitative alkaline hematin (QAH) technique. Results The MBL study was conducted in 40 heavy and normally menstruating Brazilian women seeking contraception. MBL was reduced from a mean baseline menstrual volume of 29.7 mL to a mean volume of 1.5 mL after 24 months, while ferritin values increased from a mean value of 31.1 ng/mL (at baseline) to a mean level of 72.5 ng/mL (after 24 months of use). Differences were highly significant (p Conclusion The LNG-IUS is effective in reducing MBL in normally menstruating women as well as in women with heavy menstrual bleeding. The authors agree with the recommendations by the UK National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and the new Finnish guidelines for heavy menstrual bleeding that the LNG-IUS should be positioned as first-line treatment prior to endometrial ablation or hysterectomy.