Bleeding profile satisfaction and pain and ease of placement with levonorgestrel 19.5 mg IUD: findings from the Kyleena® Satisfaction study

PURPOSE

To investigate bleeding profile satisfaction and pain and ease of placement with levonorgestrel 19.5 mg IUD in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

Women who independently chose levonorgestrel 19.5 mg IUD during routine counselling were invited to participate in this prospective, multinational, observational study. Patient-reported pain and clinician-reported ease of placement were assessed. Bleeding profile satisfaction was evaluated at 12 months/premature end of observation.

RESULTS

Most participants (77.8%, n = 878/1129) rated levonorgestrel 19.5 mg IUD placement pain as 'none' or 'mild' and most clinicians (91.1%, n = 1029/1129) rated placement as 'easy'. Pain was more often rated higher in nulliparous compared with parous (p < .0001) and younger (<26 years) compared with older participants (p < .0001), although 67.7% and 69.0% of nulliparous and younger participants respectively reported 'none' or 'mild' pain. Bleeding profile satisfaction at 12 months/end of observation was similar in parous (72.9%, n = 318/436) and nulliparous (69.6%, n = 314/451) participants. Most participants irrespective of age reported bleeding profile satisfaction, ranging from 67.8% (n = 206/304) for 18-25 years to 76.5% (n = 218/285) for >35 years.

CONCLUSION

We observed high bleeding profile satisfaction regardless of age or parity with levonorgestrel 19.5 mg IUD and confirmed that device placement is easy and associated with no more than mild pain in most cases in routine clinical practice. Real-world evidence from the Kyleena^® Satisfaction Study in routine clinical practice shows high bleeding profile satisfaction with levonorgestrel 19.5 mg IUD regardless of age or parity. IUD placement was easy and associated with little to no pain for most women.

New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US

Many more women in the US today rely upon intrauterine devices (IUDs) than in the past. This increased utilization may have substantially contributed to the decline in the percentage of unintended pregnancies in the US. Evidence-based practices have increased the number of women who are medically eligible for IUDs and have enabled more rapid access to the methods. Many women enjoy freedom to use IUDs without cost, but for many the impact of the Affordable Care Act has yet to be realized. Currently, there are three hormonal IUDs and one copper IUD available in the US. Each IUD is extremely effective, convenient, and safe. The newer IUDs have been tested in populations not usually included in clinical trials and provide reassuring answers to older concerns about IUD use in these women, including information about expulsion, infection, and discontinuation. On the other hand, larger surveillance studies have provided new estimates about the risks of complications such as perforation, especially in postpartum and breastfeeding women. This article summarizes significant features of each IUD and provides a summary of the differences to aid clinicians in the US and other countries in advising women about IUD choices.