Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine Device Use Can Be a Treatment Option in Symptomatic Patients with Isthmocele

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices have been used for contraception and treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. There is only limited data about the effect of this on isthmocele. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices in a larger study population with a longer follow-up as compared to the literature on symptomatic patients with isthmocele. A total of 29 patients with symptomatic isthmocele and inserted levonorgestrel-releasing device were included in this prospective study. All patients were included at January 2020 and followed for 18 months. Sociodemographic findings, laboratory parameters, premenstrual spotting, postmenstrual spotting, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and pelvic pain related to isthmocele were recorded. In sonography, width, length, area of isthmocele, and residual myometrial thickness were determined. The frequency of symptoms during follow-up was compared between visits and also compared between groups according to residual myometrial thickness. Premenstrual spotting and pelvic pain were significantly reduced at 6th months (48.3 to 10.3%, p = 0.007 and 34.5 to 10.3%, p = 0.039, respectively) and no significant change was detected until the end of follow-up period. Postmenstrual spotting reduced at 6th months (96.6 to 34.5%, p < 0.001) and also significant change was detected between 6 and 12th months (34.5% vs 13.8%, p = 0.031). Menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea disappeared at 12th months. No association was found between residual myometrial thickness and the frequency of symptoms for each follow-up. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices are useful and reliable therapeutic tools for symptomatic isthmocele patients who do not desire fertility, regardless of residual myometrial thickness.