Menstrual blood loss, iron nutriture, and the effects of Alza-T IPCS 52, T-Cu 220C and Lippes Loop D in Korean women.

The upper normal limit of menstrual blood loss (MBL) associated with iron deficiency, and the change of MBL and length of time necessary for development of iron depletion after IUD insertion in 193 healthy Korean women were studied. The mean MBL was 33.4 +or- 23.4 (SD) ml and the variation of MBL in different marital, age, and parity groups showed no statistical significance except for the higher values in young married women. Serum ferritin concentration was markedly decreased in women showing MBL above 40 ml and the frequency of subjects with serum ferritin below anemia criteria were increased in women showing MBL above 50 ml. Other parameters for assessing the iron status showed no significant difference in a different MBL range. The mean MBL in women fitted with an Alza-T IPCS 52 was significantly decreased 3 months after insertion, but the increases in hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were statistically significant at 12 months postinsertion. The mean MBL in other IUD groups was remarkably increased at 1 month in T-Cu 220C users and between months 1-12 in Lippes Loop D users. Significant decreases in serum ferritin levels were observed at 6 and 12 months in both groups.