Contraception
Volume 79, Issue 6 , Pages 433-438, June 2009

A nationwide cohort study of the use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device in New Zealand adolescents

  • Helen Paterson

      Affiliations

    • Dunedin School of Medicine, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Otago Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +64 3 4797185; fax: +64 3 4770509.
    • ,
  • Janelle Ashton

      Affiliations

    • Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Intensive Monitoring Programme (IMMP), University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
    • ,
  • Mira Harrison-Woolrych

      Affiliations

    • Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Intensive Monitoring Programme (IMMP), University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand

Received 11 August 2008; received in revised form 30 November 2008; accepted 1 December 2008. published online 19 January 2009.

Abstract 

Background

While the use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) is well established in the adult population, there have been no research studies specifically on the use of the LNG-IUD in adolescents.

Study Design

A nationwide cohort study of 179 adolescents in New Zealand using the LNG-IUD, by means of a follow-up questionnaire to their practitioner, was conducted to determine the indications for insertion of the LNG-IUD and to establish patterns of use, including duration of use and reasons for removal.

Results

The study, with a 94% response rate, demonstrated that the most common indication for use was menorrhagia (17%); 29% of adolescents had an “off-label” primary indication. There was a 1-year continuation rate of 85%. The cumulative incidence of expulsion was 8%.

Conclusion

The results of this study should be reassuring for practitioners and adolescents considering use of the LNG-IUD. However, further research is required into the safety and efficacy of the LNG-IUD in adolescents especially in the management of off-label indications.

Keywords: Mirena, Adolescent, New Zealand, LNG-IUD

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PII: S0010-7824(08)00550-7

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2008.12.001

Contraception
Volume 79, Issue 6 , Pages 433-438, June 2009

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