Impact of Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device on Endometrial Ablation Utilization for Treatment of Menorrhagia

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The aim of this research was to determine changes in endometrial ablation utilization following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the levonorgestrel–intrauterine device (IUD) for treatment of menorrhagia. Materials and Methods: This was a cohort study. All women who had undergone second-generation endometrial ablation or levonorgestrel-IUD placement for treatment of menorrhagia between January of 2009 and December of 2013 were considered for inclusion. Women's cases were excluded if the primary indication for treatment was not menorrhagia or if outpatient evaluation and treatment records were not available for review. Results: A total of 333 cases met study inclusion criteria, including the women who had undergone endometrial ablation (n = 204) or levonorgestrel-IUD placement (n = 129). The primary outcome measured was the number of patients who underwent endometrial ablation or levonorgestrel-IUD placement prior to and following FDA approval of the levonorgestrel-IUD for ...