Author(s): STONE, J., CHERUBINI, J.M., BADOUR, M.I., SHEA, A.K., MACDONALD, M.J., Institution: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY, Country: CANADA, Abstract-ID: 1130

INTRODUCTION:
In 2022, approximately 161 million females were using an intrauterine device (IUD), with IUD use increasing ~6.2% annually. 76.5% of IUD use is comprised of hormonal IUDs, referred to as levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG-IUS), with the remaining comprised of Copper IUD use. In the 3-month period following insertion of an LNG-IUS or Copper IUD, it is documented that females experience increased menstrual bleeding and cramping, seen to a greater extent in females using a Copper IUD. These menstrual symptoms have been shown to decrease participation in physical activity (PA), and thus insertion of an IUD may influence engagement in PA which represents a well-known predictor of vascular health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the insertion of a Copper IUD or LNG-IUS influenced self-reported PA and indices of vascular health.
METHODS:
Premenopausal females undergoing insertion of either a Copper IUD (n=7) or LNG-IUS (n=12) visited the lab on three occasions: pre-insertion, 20-, and 90-days following insertion. Participants filled out the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) at each visit to determine PA habits in the 7 days prior to the visit, followed by assessments of supine resting hemodynamics and arterial stiffness. Hemodynamics included systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. Arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), common carotid artery distensibility, compliance, and beta-stiffness. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model.
RESULTS:
Self-reported PA, resting hemodynamics, and arterial stiffness were similar between both groups at baseline (all P>0.05). There were no changes in self-reported PA [total estimated metabolic equivalents (METs), vigorous intensity METs, and moderate intensity METs], 20-days and 90-days following LNG-IUS or Copper IUD insertion, compared to pre-insertion (all P>0.05). There were no changes in hemodynamics or arterial stiffness, 20- and 90- days following LNG-IUS and Copper IUD insertion (all P>0.05). Self-reported PA did not have a relationship with any hemodynamics or arterial stiffness parameters when it was added to the model as a covariate (all P>0.05), except for SBP, which was negatively associated with vigorous-intensity METs in both groups (β = -0.002, P = 0.03).
CONCLUSION:
These findings suggest that PA habits are maintained for 3-months after LNG-IUS or Copper IUD insertion, despite the common reporting of increased menstrual symptoms during this time frame. Additionally, there was no detriment to vascular health following insertion of an LNG-IUS or Copper IUD in the 3-month period following insertion.