Assessment of menstrual blood loss in Belgian users of the frameless copper-releasing IUD with copper surface area of 200 mm2 and users of a copper-levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a miniaturized frameless copper IUD (GyneFix 200 small) and a copper-levonorgestrel (GynePlant) intrauterine system (IUS) on the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL). METHODS In 60 Belgian women using GyneFix 200 and 21 using GynePlant, MBL was assessed with the visual assessment technique. RESULTS MBL scores in GyneFix 200 users did not change from baseline during the mean observation period of 31 months. In GynePlant users, mean MBL scores decreased by at least 50% in all but one user. CONCLUSION The impact of copper IUDs on MBL can be minimized by reducing the surface area of the foreign body. Reduction of MBL, without causing amenorrhea, can be obtained by adding levonorgestrel.