[Levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine spiral--contraception and therapeutic indications]

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a highly reliable contraceptive device. It is a suitable method of contraception also for breast-feeding mothers, and for women who have completed their family it is a real alternative to sterilisation. In comparison with the copper-releasing intrauterine devices, the rates of ectopic pregnancies and adnexitis/pelvic peritonitis (PID) are reduced. In menstruating women the menstrual blood loss is lower and, correspondingly, dysmenorrhoea and/or iron-deficiency anaemia occur less frequently and when they do occur they are less severe. In hypermenorrhoea/menorrhagia the LNG-IUS is a therapeutic alternative to the surgical procedure. In the menopause and postmenopause the LNG-IUS is suitable for protection of the endometrium in women undergoing continuous estrogen replacement therapy.