Depressive symptomatology and quality of life assessment among women using the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: An observational study

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the effect of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) treatment on depressive symptoms, changes in bleeding patterns, and quality of life (QoL) among premenopausal women in our clinic. Materials and methods: We recruited 120 premenopausal women, aged 18-50 years, who had sought care in the previous year for menorrhagia. LNG-IUS was inserted into eligible patients after the relevant evaluations. Both questionnaires were administered at time of the initial screening before and 6 months after insertion of the LNG-IUS. All patients completed the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for QoL and Beck's Depression Inventory for depressive symptoms. Results: At the 6-month follow-up visit, the pictorial blood assessment chart score (PBAC) considerably decreased (p < 0.001). For SF-36 scores, physical functioning, physical role limitations, emotional role limitations, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health scores improved significantly after treatment (p < 0.001). Depression scores showed no significant difference from baseline to 6 months (p = 0.375). Conclusion: The LNG-IUS for the treatment of menorrhagia increases the QoL, and depression scores did not increase significantly in 6 months. © 2014 Springer-Verlag.