Mirena better than hysterectomy for lower back pain

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device Mirena offers superior relief of back pain compared with hysterectomy for women with menorrhagia, a Finnish study has shown (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2009;88:1389–96).

The trial randomised 236 women aged 35–49 years to undergo hysterectomy or receive Mirena. After six months, back pain was similarly reduced in both groups, but improvement in lower abdominal pain was significantly greater with hysterectomy. After five years, there was no difference in lower abdominal pain intensity and frequency, but Mirena was associated with greater reduction in back pain.