Heavy Menstrual Bleeding, Levonorgestrel IUDs, and Cancer Risk

In a nationwide Finnish cohort study, users of levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs had lower than expected rates of endometrial and other cancers.

Although endometrial progestin levels are locally high in women using levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs), data are sparse regarding risk for endometrial neoplasia in such women. To examine the effects of the levonorgestrel IUD on rates of endometrial and other cancers, investigators used Finnish national registry data to identify 93,843 women (age range, 30–49) who used the levonorgestrel IUD for management of heavy menstrual bleeding. Cancer rates among these women were compared with expected cancer rates determined from the Finnish Cancer Registry.

Observed rates of endometrial cancer were substantially lower among levonorgestrel IUD users than the general population (standardized incidence ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence int…

Reviewing Author

Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, MD, MS

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardPlanned Parenthood Federation of America

Grant/Research SupportSociety of Family Planning; California Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Program

Editorial BoardsContraception; Journal of General Internal Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCouncil Member, Society of General Internal Medicine