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Menstrual characteristics and ultrasonographic uterine cavity measurements predict bleeding and pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception.
Hum Reprod. 2015 Jul; 30(7):1580-8.HR

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION

Is small uterine cavity size as assessed by ultrasonography associated with bleeding problems or pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception, or do other factors affect these parameters?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Among levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users, small uterine cavity size is not associated with worsened clinical outcome, but is beneficial as women with the smallest cavity measurements were frequently amenorrhoeic and painless at the end of the first year but among copper intrauterine device (IUD) users, no associations between uterine cavity dimensions and clinical outcome were found.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Nulligravid and nulliparous women have smaller uterine dimensions than parous women. Previously, many studies have revealed increased discontinuation rates of IUD use as a result of bleeding, pain or expulsion in these women, while recent studies with current models of IUS/IUDs indicate similar continuation and satisfaction rates irrespective of parity.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

In a pilot study, 165 adult nulligravid women requesting their first IUD between 1 January 2011 and 31 July 2012 were given a free choice between two IUDs with equal frames measuring 32 × 32 mm-the LNG-IUS 52 mg or a copper-releasing IUD. The women were followed for 1 year.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIAL, SETTING, METHODS

The LNG-IUS was chosen by 113 women (68.5%) and the copper IUD by 52 (31.5%). Prior to insertion the women were interviewed concerning their menstrual characteristics and uterine cavity size was measured by 2-D ultrasonography. After insertion the women kept daily records of bleeding and pain for two reference periods of 90 days during the first year (Months 1-3 and 10-12). The correlation between uterine cavity measurements and numbers of days of bleeding/spotting and pain during the reference periods was analysed. Continuation rates were assessed and reasons for discontinuation as well as the effects of baseline participant characteristics on outcomes were analysed in regression models.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Both uterine cavity size and baseline menstrual characteristics prior to IUD insertion predicted the numbers of days of bleeding/spotting and pain in LNG-IUS users. Women with small uterine cavity dimensions reported less bleeding/spotting in both reference periods and less pain in the second reference period compared with women with larger dimensions. Baseline scanty spontaneous menstrual bleeding prior to LNG-IUS use (OR 9.4, 95% CI 1.7-51.8, P = 0.01) and smoking (OR 7.8, 95% CI 1.8-33.8, P = 0.006) predicted amenorrhoea in the second reference period. Women with baseline dysmenorrhoea reported more pain with both IUDs. Continuation rates and reasons for discontinuation were similar with both IUDs.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

No sample size could be calculated to estimate the power as this was a pilot study. As the majority of women chose the LNG-IUS we did not achieve our initial aim of equally sized IUD groups and thus the size of the copper IUD group may have been insufficient to detect differences.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

These data further encourage promotion of intrauterine contraception among nulligravid women. Routine use of ultrasonography to assess uterine cavity dimensions prior to IUD insertion is not indicated.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

Supported by Helsinki University Central Hospital research funds, the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland and Finska Läkaresällskapet, who provided funds for J.K. O.H. serves on advisory boards for Bayer Healthcare, Gedeon Richter and MSD Finland (part of Merck & Co. Inc.) and has designed educational events with these companies. S.S. has lectured in educational events at Bayer and MSD Finland (part of Merck & Co. Inc.) and is a member of the Advisory Board for Contraception at MSD Finland. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01685164.

Links

Publisher Full Text (DOI)

Authors+Show Affiliations

Kaislasuo J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 610, SF-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland.
Heikinheimo O
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 610, SF-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland oskari.heikinheimo@helsinki.fi.
Lähteenmäki P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Suhonen S
Centralized Family Planning, Department of Social Services and Health Care, City of Helsinki, PO Box 6450, 00099 City of Helsinki, Finland.

MeSH

AdolescentAdultContraceptive Agents, FemaleFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansIntrauterine Devices, CopperIntrauterine Devices, MedicatedLevonorgestrelMenstruationPainPilot ProjectsUltrasonographyUterine HemorrhageUterusYoung Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

25990577

Clinical Trial Links

Clinical trial which this article describes

Citation

Kaislasuo, Janina, et al. "Menstrual Characteristics and Ultrasonographic Uterine Cavity Measurements Predict Bleeding and Pain in Nulligravid Women Using Intrauterine Contraception." Human Reproduction (Oxford, England), vol. 30, no. 7, 2015, pp. 1580-8.
Kaislasuo J, Heikinheimo O, Lähteenmäki P, et al. Menstrual characteristics and ultrasonographic uterine cavity measurements predict bleeding and pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception. Hum Reprod. 2015;30(7):1580-8.
Kaislasuo, J., Heikinheimo, O., Lähteenmäki, P., & Suhonen, S. (2015). Menstrual characteristics and ultrasonographic uterine cavity measurements predict bleeding and pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception. Human Reproduction (Oxford, England), 30(7), 1580-8. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dev102
Kaislasuo J, et al. Menstrual Characteristics and Ultrasonographic Uterine Cavity Measurements Predict Bleeding and Pain in Nulligravid Women Using Intrauterine Contraception. Hum Reprod. 2015;30(7):1580-8. PubMed PMID: 25990577.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Menstrual characteristics and ultrasonographic uterine cavity measurements predict bleeding and pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception. AU - Kaislasuo,Janina, AU - Heikinheimo,Oskari, AU - Lähteenmäki,Pekka, AU - Suhonen,Satu, Y1 - 2015/05/19/ PY - 2015/03/12/received PY - 2015/04/20/accepted PY - 2015/5/21/entrez PY - 2015/5/21/pubmed PY - 2016/4/5/medline KW - IUD KW - LNG-IUS KW - intrauterine contraception KW - nulligravid KW - nulliparous SP - 1580 EP - 8 JF - Human reproduction (Oxford, England) JO - Hum Reprod VL - 30 IS - 7 N2 - STUDY QUESTION: Is small uterine cavity size as assessed by ultrasonography associated with bleeding problems or pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception, or do other factors affect these parameters? SUMMARY ANSWER: Among levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users, small uterine cavity size is not associated with worsened clinical outcome, but is beneficial as women with the smallest cavity measurements were frequently amenorrhoeic and painless at the end of the first year but among copper intrauterine device (IUD) users, no associations between uterine cavity dimensions and clinical outcome were found. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Nulligravid and nulliparous women have smaller uterine dimensions than parous women. Previously, many studies have revealed increased discontinuation rates of IUD use as a result of bleeding, pain or expulsion in these women, while recent studies with current models of IUS/IUDs indicate similar continuation and satisfaction rates irrespective of parity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: In a pilot study, 165 adult nulligravid women requesting their first IUD between 1 January 2011 and 31 July 2012 were given a free choice between two IUDs with equal frames measuring 32 × 32 mm-the LNG-IUS 52 mg or a copper-releasing IUD. The women were followed for 1 year. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIAL, SETTING, METHODS: The LNG-IUS was chosen by 113 women (68.5%) and the copper IUD by 52 (31.5%). Prior to insertion the women were interviewed concerning their menstrual characteristics and uterine cavity size was measured by 2-D ultrasonography. After insertion the women kept daily records of bleeding and pain for two reference periods of 90 days during the first year (Months 1-3 and 10-12). The correlation between uterine cavity measurements and numbers of days of bleeding/spotting and pain during the reference periods was analysed. Continuation rates were assessed and reasons for discontinuation as well as the effects of baseline participant characteristics on outcomes were analysed in regression models. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Both uterine cavity size and baseline menstrual characteristics prior to IUD insertion predicted the numbers of days of bleeding/spotting and pain in LNG-IUS users. Women with small uterine cavity dimensions reported less bleeding/spotting in both reference periods and less pain in the second reference period compared with women with larger dimensions. Baseline scanty spontaneous menstrual bleeding prior to LNG-IUS use (OR 9.4, 95% CI 1.7-51.8, P = 0.01) and smoking (OR 7.8, 95% CI 1.8-33.8, P = 0.006) predicted amenorrhoea in the second reference period. Women with baseline dysmenorrhoea reported more pain with both IUDs. Continuation rates and reasons for discontinuation were similar with both IUDs. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: No sample size could be calculated to estimate the power as this was a pilot study. As the majority of women chose the LNG-IUS we did not achieve our initial aim of equally sized IUD groups and thus the size of the copper IUD group may have been insufficient to detect differences. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: These data further encourage promotion of intrauterine contraception among nulligravid women. Routine use of ultrasonography to assess uterine cavity dimensions prior to IUD insertion is not indicated. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Supported by Helsinki University Central Hospital research funds, the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland and Finska Läkaresällskapet, who provided funds for J.K. O.H. serves on advisory boards for Bayer Healthcare, Gedeon Richter and MSD Finland (part of Merck & Co. Inc.) and has designed educational events with these companies. S.S. has lectured in educational events at Bayer and MSD Finland (part of Merck & Co. Inc.) and is a member of the Advisory Board for Contraception at MSD Finland. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01685164. SN - 1460-2350 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/25990577/Menstrual_characteristics_and_ultrasonographic_uterine_cavity_measurements_predict_bleeding_and_pain_in_nulligravid_women_using_intrauterine_contraception_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -