COMPARISON OF PAIN LEVEL DURING AND AFTER INTRAUTERINE DEVICE INSERTION: LEVONORGESTREL-RELEASING INTRAUTERINE SYSTEM VERSUS THE COPPER T INTRAUTERINE DEVICE
Pain levels may interfere with a patient`s decision when it comes to choosing an appropriate intrauterine system. To our
knowledge, there is no study which compares the pain levels during and in the first weeks after the insertion of the
levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), opposed to copper T380A intrauterine device (C T380A IUD),
considering the structural differences between the two devices. In the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University
Emergency Hospital Bucharest we prospectively evaluated 100 women, who expressed interest in an IUD, as a form of longacting
reversible method of contraception. The subjects were separated into two groups. In the first group (n=50) LNG-IUS was
inserted, while in the second group (n=50), the C T380A IUD was placed. All patients were asked to describe the level of pain
using a numeric scale during and in the first four weeks after IUD insertion at a follow-up visit. We than compared the levels of
pain stated by the patients in the groups immediately after insertion and at the follow-up visit – four weeks after IUD insertion
has been made. Rank test statistics confirmed no difference in the level of pain of the patients in the first group, with a
levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system inserted, and those in the second group, with a copper T380A intrauterine device
inserted.