menorrhagia and the mirena coil

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • licensed in the UK as a treatment for "idiopathic menorrhagia"

  • "may be particularly useful in women with idiopathic menorrhagia requiring (reversible) contraception" (1)

  • there is evidence that the Mirena system may result in smaller mean reduction in menstrual blood loss than endometrial destruction but women seem equally satisfied with the two treatments (2)

  • the Mirena system seems to lead to an improvement in quality of life similar to those after hysterectomy (2)

  • a Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin review concluded that the "levonorgestrel intra-uterine system is a reasonable option for the treatment of menorrhagia in women who wish to avoid surgery and seems particularly suitable for women who also need contraception" (2)

Reference:

  • (1) Mirena. Summary of product characteristics, UK. Scheing Health Care Ltd, February 2001.
  • (2) Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin (2001), 39 (11), 85-7.