Fibroplant®/Femilis® Information
How does it work
What is FibroPlant®/Femilis® and what is it used for?
FibroPlant® and Femilis® are new hormonal system. They are inserted in the uterus (womb) and release the hormone (levonorgestrel) slowly over a period of at least five years.
FibroPlant® and Femilis® are used mainly for contraception and for the treatment of excessive or heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).
Excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
The hormone levonorgestrel that is released from FibroPlant® and Femilis® is highly active to reduce menstrual blood loss in women with normal menstrual periods and in women with menorrhagia (heavy menstrual flow), especially if there is no organic cause for the heavy bleeding.
FibroPlant® and Femilis® could be considered a first choice treatment for this condition.
Even when the uterus harbours fibroids (with the exception of fibroids inside the uterine cavity), treatment with FibroPlant® or Femilis® is generally successful. Studies have shown that the amount of menstrual blood loss is reduced already after one month and continues to reduce during the next 6 months to remain stable afterwards. The reduction of menstrual blood loss is usually more than 90% after one year of use.
In about 25 to 30 % of women, menstrual blood loss stops completely. This is normal with FibroPlant® and Femilis® and is not a sign of disease or pregnancy.
As a consequence of the strong reduction of menstrual blood loss, the iron reserves increase and a possible associated anaemia will be cured and quality of life improves.
Compared to oral treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding, hormonal delivery in the uterus is more effective.
Many women still undergo a surgical intervention (hysterectomy or endometrial ablation) for heavy menstrual bleeding. Clinical studies have demonstrated, however, that many hysterectomies can be avoided by using hormones in the uterus.
This is a highly economical solution and avoids the complications which can occur with surgery.
Treatment of menstrual disturbances and premenopausal complaints
For women in the premenopause, complaining of hot flushes, depression or menstrual disturbances, which are frequent in women over 40 years of age, FibroPlant® and Femilis® can be helpful. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, FibroPlant® and Femilis® strongly reduce menstrual blood loss.
How do FibroPlant® and Femilis® work?
During the fertile period of the woman, the lining of the uterus undergoes transformation and becomes substantially thicker in preparation of implantation of a fertilized ovum (egg). The two female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, play an essential role in this process. Oestrogen stimulates growth of the endometrial lining, whilst progesterone, which appears only after ovulation, inhibits growth but transforms the endometrium to make implantation of the egg possible. When no fertilization occurs, then the integrity of the uterine lining cannot be maintained and degradations occurs resulting in menstruation.
Levonorgestrel is a synthetic homone that has a similar but much stronger effect on the endometrial lining than the natural hormone progesterone. Levonorgestrel is present in the pill in combination with a synthetic oestrogen. Due to the continuous local delivery of levonorgestrel by the FibroPlant® or Femilis® IUS, suppression of the endometrium is maintained. This results in menstrual periods which are much lighter than before.
The quantity of levonorgestrel absorbed in the systemic circulation is much lower than with oral contraceptives. Therefore, hormonal side-effects are negligible.
How effective are FibroPlant® and Femilis® to protect against pregnancy?
The thinning of the lining makes it difficult for the sperm cells to reach the oviducts where fertilization occurs. If fertilization should occur, however, implantation of the fertilized egg is virtually impossible due to the unsuitability of the endometrium.
FibroPlant® and Femilis® are slightly more effective than GyneFix®.