The Influence of the Levonorgestrel-Releassing Intrauterine System (Lng Ius) on Metabolic Markers in Women with Normal Body Mass and Overweight Women

Introduction. In Latvia, the number of overweight women is increasing, while the rate of cardio vascular disease (CVD) is one of the highest in the European Union. The influence of hormonal contraception on the development of CVD has not been studied in Latvia so far.

Aim of the study. A nonrandomized open-label prospective trial of healthy reproductive-age women desiring to use the LNG IUS.

Materials and methods. Before starting the use of contraception and six months after starting the use of contraception, the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) score, insulin sensitivity (HOMA-%S) and β-cell function (HOMA-%B) were calculated using fasting glucose (FG) and C peptide values. There were also determined other cardio-metabolic parameters: total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and abdominal circumference.

Results. Thirty women were involved in the study: seventeen women with a normal body-mass index (BMI) (BMI below 25) and thirteen overweight women (BMI above 25). When using the LNG IUS, the fasting glucose level increased in women with normal body mass, the level of insulin sensitivity decreased in both study groups; C peptide level, β-cell function and insulin resistance increased in both groups, but the changes were not statistically reliable (p>0.05).

Conclusion. Although during the study there were determined changes in the FG level, insulin sensitivity, C peptide, β-cell function and insulin resistance parameters, these changes are not clinically significant, and the LNG IUS may be safely used clinically both by women with normal body mass and overweight women.