The role of different LNG-IUS therapies in the management of adenomyosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bibliographic Details
Title: The role of different LNG-IUS therapies in the management of adenomyosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Biyun Zhang, Jinghua Shi, Zhiyue Gu, Yushi Wu, Xiaoyan Li, Chenyu Zhang, Hailan Yan, Qiutong Li, Shiqing Lyu, Yi Dai, Jinhua Leng
Source: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Vol 23, Iss 1, Pp 1-15 (2025)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Gynecology and obstetrics
LCC:Reproduction
Subject Terms: Adenomyosis, Efficiency, Safety, LNG-IUS, Treatment, Gynecology and obstetrics, RG1-991, Reproduction, QH471-489
More Details: Abstract Objective To summarize evidence on the efficacy and safety of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in managing adenomyosis (AM), both as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies. Methods We searched Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System On-Line: Medline, The Cochrane Library, Embase, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang from the inception to Aug 12, 2024 for articles using the LNG-IUS both alone and combined with other therapies in patients with AM. The primary outcome included dysmenorrhea, menstrual bleeding, uterine volume, endometrial thickness and quality of life. The secondary outcome was the assessment of adverse events. Data synthesis was conducted using random-effects model with significant heterogeneity (I2 > 50%), otherwise using fixed-effects model. Results The final analysis included 28 studies. Compared with etonogestrel, LNG-IUS was more effective in reducing uterine volume and associated with a lower risk of weight gain, but showed no significant difference in reducing dysmenorrhea and endometrial thickness. Comparing LNG-IUS with mifepristone, there was no significant difference in terms of quality of life. The combination of LNG-IUS with Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) was more effective than LNG-IUS alone, providing benefits in reducing dysmenorrhea (mean deviation, MD: -1.14), menstrual bleeding (MD: -11.94), uterine volume (MD: -30.39), endometrial thickness (MD: -0.89), and adverse events. The combination of LNG-IUS with surgical excision was more effective than surgical excision alone, providing benefits in reducing dysmenorrhea (MD: -1.49), menstrual bleeding (MD: -5.13) at 12 months, reducing uterine volume at 6 (MD: -9.23), 12 (MD: -16.53) and 24 (MD: -27.17) months. The combination of LNG-IUS with focused ultrasound ablation (FUA) was more effective than FUA alone, providing benefits in reducing dysmenorrhea (MD: -0.62), menstrual bleeding (MD: 0.17). Conclusions This study found no clear evidence to recommend single-drug therapy for improving pain and quality of life in AM management within 12 months. Combining LNG-IUS with GnRH-a is effective in alleviating pain, controlling heavy bleeding, reducing lesion volume, reducing the probability of expulsion and irregular bleeding. Postoperative LNG-IUS helps reduce long-term pain and bleeding. In combined FUA, LNG-IUS is effective for managing short-term pain and bleeding. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024578824.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1477-7827
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1477-7827
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-025-01349-4
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/7ad801ecc5664199826f147d10c2304e
Accession Number: edsdoj.7ad801ecc5664199826f147d10c2304e
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:14777827
DOI:10.1186/s12958-025-01349-4
Published in:Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Language:English