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Abstract
Ovarian function was studied for two complete menstrual cycles in 9 regularly menstruating
women and for 8 weeks in three amenorrhoeic women who had used levonorgestrel-releasing
IUDs (LNG-IUD) for more than four years. Nine patients using copper IUDs (Nova-T)
were studied for two complete menstrual cycles as controls. According to progesterone
levels,
cycles in women using LNG-IUDs were ovulatory, whereas only
cycles showed normal follicular growth and rupture as judged by ultrasound. In ovulatory
cycles, the peak progesterone levels were lower than in the controls. The preovulatory
estradiol and LH peak levels were also lower than in control subjects. SHBG levels
were lower in LNG-IUD users than in copper IUD users.


It is concluded that, although the dose of levonorgestrel released from the IUD is
very low, it probably exerts an effect on the gonadotrophin secretion, which disturbs
follicular development in many of the women studied, which in addition to the local
effect on the endometrium, contributes to its high contraceptive efficacy.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 5,
1990
Received:
January 3,
1990
Identification
Copyright
© 1990 Published by Elsevier Inc.