A cross-sectional study of the forearm bone density of long-term users of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

Author(s)

Bahamondes, Luis ^[1] ; Espejo-Arce, Ximena ; Hidalgo, Maria M. ; Hidalgo-Regina, Creusa ; Teatin-Juliato, Cássia ; Petta, Carlos A.

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Human Reproduction; v. 21, n. 5, p. 1316-1319, May 2006.
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine

Abstract

There are concerns about the effect of hormonal contraceptives on bone mineral density (BMD), but there is currently no information available on the effect of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) on BMD. The objective of this study was to compare the BMD of LNG-IUS users with that of controls using the TCu380A intrauterine device (IUD). A cross-sectional study paired 53 women, aged 25-51 years, who had been using the LNG-IUS for 7 years, with 53 IUD users, according to age (±1 year) and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) (±1). BMD was evaluated at the midshaft of the ulna and the distal radius of the nondominant forearm using double X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Mean age of women was 34 years. BMI was slightly over 25 in both groups. Estradiol was normal. Mean BMD was 0.469 ± 0.008 and 0.467 ± 0.009 and 0.409 ± 0.009 and 0.411 ± 0.009 at the midshaft of the ulna and distal radius in LNG-IUS and IUD users, respectively, without significant differences. Women aged 25-51 years, using the LNG-IUS for 7 years, had a mean BMD similar to that of the control group of TCu380A IUD users. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 03/08391-7 - Evaluation of the clinical and molecular repercussions of the use of contraceptives that contain only progestogen
• Grantee: Luis Guillermo Bahamondes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants