RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the treatment of adenomyosis. METHODS: Forty-two patients with adenomyosis diagnosed by clinical symptoms, MRI, laparoscopy and/or chromatic colour type-B ultrasound were treated with LNG-IUS, and the menstrual blood volume, severity of dysmenorrhea and uterine volume were observed three months later. RESULTS: After 3 month treatment of LNG-IUS, the menstrual blood volume reduced significantly to (27 +/- 11)% of that before treatment. The uterine volume was decreased from (143 +/- 33) cm(3) to (115 +/- 22) cm(3) (P < 0.05). Dysmenorrhea was completely relieved or significantly alleviated. Hemoglobin recovered to (124 +/- 8) g/L (P < 0.05) in 20 patients with anemia. CONCLUSION: LNG-IUS is an effective and safe method in the short-term treatment of adenomyosis.
