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| Authors | Y Muscat Baron A Galea H Consiglio R Galea M P Brincat |
| Abstract | Until recently menorrhagia was the commonest symptom for which hysterectomy was performed. The application of the Levonorgestrel intrauterine implant (Mirena) has been shown to significantly diminish menorrhagia, reducing the hysterectomy rate by at least 35% . This method of treating menorrhagia is slowly gaining acceptance in the Maltese Islands. A total of 72 cases were recruited over the past five years and the outcome was assessed. The vast majority showed an favourable reaction to the application of the Mirena. Only two women were dissatisfied with persisting menorrhagia which required a hysterectomy. The commonest minor complaint was spotting in the first 3-6 months following the introduction of the Mirena but in the great majority of cases this symptom petered out after six months. The application of the Mirena has been further facilitated by combining the standard investigative procedure dilatation and curettage with the application of the Levonorgestrel implant under the same anaesthesia. The contemporaneous curettage may remove the endometrial lining which may act as a barrier to the permeation of levonorgestrel, thereby augmenting the latters function. The above combination of procedures has increased efficiency at both diagnosis and expediting treatment further reducing the possibility at resorting to hysterectomy to treat menorrhagia. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | hysterectomy, levonorgestrel implant, mirena, menorrhagia |