According to a latest study published in the journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, a definite IUD or intrauterine device is linked with an increased risk of getting breast cancer, however not ovarian, endometrial, lung or pancreatic cancer. It was shown that women who are using progesterone-releasing IUDs have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. The intrauterine device is mainly used as a contraceptive method; however, it has been also utilized as a means to cure women who are suffering from conditions like chronic pelvic pain, abnormal intense menstrual flow and endometriosis.
This type of IUD is identified as the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD system that uses the artificial version of the levonorgestrel hormone. The hormone levonorgestrel forms naturally in women’s bodies and has a vital role in the regulation of ovulation. In a contraceptive mechanism, levonorgestrel stimulates the lining of the uterus to adjust and as a consequence, making the sperm difficult to get into the uterus and making it a lot harder for a woman to get pregnant. Levonorgestrel is the same hormone that is being utilized in the emergency type of contraceptive identified as the morning after pill.
The scientific research was printed in the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology; it was accomplished in Finland’s Hyvinkää Hospital, Department of Obstetrics & Genecology. About 93,000 women were employed as the source of data. The subjects were experiencing symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding, they were using the progesterone-releasing IUD since the levonorgestrel is effective in making the uterine linings tougher and lessening the bleeding that takes place during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
The researchers were concerned with investigating the link between the use of progesterone-releasing IUDs and the occurrence of cancer in women who are using them, most notably uterine wall cancer. The entire subjects of the study conducted in Finland were in ages 30 to 49 when progesterone-releasing IUDs were used; the IUD was only used in Finland for the treatment of heavy menstrual flow. Throughout this time, the IUDs were not utilized as a form of contraceptive in Finland.
Regardless of their early interest in uterine cancer, the experts had discovered that for women who were using the device, a considerable increase in risk of breast cancer was noted compared to the general population. The study showed that increased prevalence of breast cancer was present in women who used the device, especially women whose age are 45 to 49. While other women not in the said age group and were not employing progesterone-releasing IUD did not get an increased rate of breast cancer; hence the researchers ruled out the concept that the prevalence of cancer was high because of age-related factors alone. There was a connection suggested among the progesterone-releasing IUD and breast cancer present in women in this age category.
According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Tuuli Soino, the occurrence of women in Finland who developed breast cancer is 19% greater for women who were using the progesterone-releasing IUD as compared to the general population of Finnish women. Dr. Soino does not assert, however that the study is proof enough to state that progesterone-releasing IUD is the cause of breast cancer.
Dr. Soino still considers that the progesterone-releasing IUD is the most excellent form of treating the abnormal heavy menstrual flow among women. He proposes that the health benefits and dangers, including raised occurrence of breast cancer, must be considered by women who are using a contraceptive IUD.
