Comparative study on levonorgestrel intrauterine system and oral progestogen in women with heavy menstrual bleeding in terms of efficacy, user satisfaction and quality of life using MMAS score

Background: To compare the efficacy, safety and user satisfaction of levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) with oral progestogen in medical management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 80 women with HMB in age group of 35-55 years. Patients were divided into two groups of 40 each and followed for six months. In Group I, LNG-IUS was inserted in post menstrual period and in Group II, patients received oral norethisterone 5 mg twice a day during 5th-25th day of cycle for 6 months. Patients were evaluated about amount and duration of blood loss by pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC) along with haemoglobin estimation on each follow up visit. MMAS (Menorrhagia Multi-Attribute Scale) score comparison between two groups was done to measure the improvement in quality of life. The results were analysed by using Chi-square test and Student t-test.Results: Percentage reduction in PBAC score after six cycles of treatment was 89.3% in LNG IUS group as compared to 68% in norethisterone group. LNG-IUS was found to be more efficient in correcting anemia, lowering duration of bleeding and improving MMAS score as compared to norethisterone.Conclusions: Present study showed that LNG IUS was superior to oral progestogen in decreasing quantity and duration of bleeding and improving overall quality of life over time.