TY - JOUR
T1 - Attitudes of Israeli gynecologists towards the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system
T2 - A questionnaire survey
AU - Ben-Haroush, A.
AU - Oron, G.
AU - Yogev, Y.
AU - Yeshaya, A.
AU - Kaplan, B.
PY - 2004/3
Y1 - 2004/3
N2 - Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the current attitudes and practices of gynecologists regarding the use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena®, Schering AG, Germany) as a contraceptive device and for the treatment of menorrhagia in the premenopausal period. In addition, physician knowledge of patient satisfaction with the device was evaluated. Methods: A written, self-administered questionnaire was given to 300 gynecologists actively employed in gynecological departments and outpatient clinics in urban centers in Israel. The items covered the indications for which the LNG-IUS was prescribed, the estimated rate of use of the LNG-IUS compared to copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), patient satisfaction with the LNG-IUS and previous knowledge about it, and demographic characteristics of the population using IUDs. All forms were completed on an anonymous basis. Results: The questionnaire was returned, properly completed, by 298 physicians, yielding a response rate of 99.3%. Almost one-half of the physicians (n = 147, 49.3%) used the LNG-IUS only as a contraceptive device, 17.4% only as treatment for menorrhagia, and 33.2% for both indications. The vast majority of gynecologists (82.2%) reported a patient satisfaction rate of 70% or more. Among the gynecologists using the LNG-IUS as treatment for menorrhagia, the estimated overall patient satisfaction rate was more than 50%. Although most physicians expressed greater patient satisfaction with the LNG-IUS than with copper-releasing IUDs (p < 0.004), the majority of gynecologists still used the copper-releasing IUDs more frequently. Most considered the LNG-IUS as an appropriate method for endometrial protection in postmenopausal women using estrogen replacement therapy. Conclusions: Physicians should be made aware of the beneficial health effects of the LNG-IUS, particularly in premenopausal women with menorrhagia and for endometrial protection during hormone replacement.
AB - Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the current attitudes and practices of gynecologists regarding the use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena®, Schering AG, Germany) as a contraceptive device and for the treatment of menorrhagia in the premenopausal period. In addition, physician knowledge of patient satisfaction with the device was evaluated. Methods: A written, self-administered questionnaire was given to 300 gynecologists actively employed in gynecological departments and outpatient clinics in urban centers in Israel. The items covered the indications for which the LNG-IUS was prescribed, the estimated rate of use of the LNG-IUS compared to copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), patient satisfaction with the LNG-IUS and previous knowledge about it, and demographic characteristics of the population using IUDs. All forms were completed on an anonymous basis. Results: The questionnaire was returned, properly completed, by 298 physicians, yielding a response rate of 99.3%. Almost one-half of the physicians (n = 147, 49.3%) used the LNG-IUS only as a contraceptive device, 17.4% only as treatment for menorrhagia, and 33.2% for both indications. The vast majority of gynecologists (82.2%) reported a patient satisfaction rate of 70% or more. Among the gynecologists using the LNG-IUS as treatment for menorrhagia, the estimated overall patient satisfaction rate was more than 50%. Although most physicians expressed greater patient satisfaction with the LNG-IUS than with copper-releasing IUDs (p < 0.004), the majority of gynecologists still used the copper-releasing IUDs more frequently. Most considered the LNG-IUS as an appropriate method for endometrial protection in postmenopausal women using estrogen replacement therapy. Conclusions: Physicians should be made aware of the beneficial health effects of the LNG-IUS, particularly in premenopausal women with menorrhagia and for endometrial protection during hormone replacement.
KW - Contraception
KW - Intrauterine devices
KW - Israel
KW - Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system
KW - Menorrhagia
KW - Physician questionnaire
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=2942562838&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13625180410001698753
DO - 10.1080/13625180410001698753
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AN - SCOPUS:2942562838
SN - 1362-5187
VL - 9
SP - 29
EP - 33
JO - European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care
JF - European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care
IS - 1
ER -