Objective : To compare the levo-norgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-1US) and thermal balloon ablation for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Design : Prospective randomized trial.
Setting : Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jahra Hospital, south of Kuwait (between august 2005 to December 2007).
Methods : Women with heavy menstrual bleeding were randomized to treatment with the LNG-IUS or thermal balloon ablation and followed
up by a postal and telephone ques­tionnaire. Menstrual loss measured by a pictorial bleeding assessment chart (PBAC) at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Treatment success, side ef­fects and treatment failures were re­corded.
Results : Both the treatments had a significant reduction in PBAC scores. At 12 and 24 months, median PBAC scores were significantly lower in women treated with the LNG-IUS compared with women treated by thermal balloon ablation (15.5 versus 55.0 at 12 months [P = 0.002]; 14.0 versus 51.3 [P = 0.002] at 24 months). At 24 months, seven (29.1%)