Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System For Emergency Contraception (LIFE)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01539720 |
Recruitment Status
:
Recruiting
First Posted
: February 27, 2012
Last Update Posted
: January 30, 2018
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The purpose of this research study is to test the levonorgestrel intrauterine system as a method for emergency contraception. Emergency contraception refers to pregnancy prevention after an act of intercourse.
While the levonorgestrel intrauterine system is approved as a contraceptive method, it is considered investigational as emergency contraception, which means that it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This study will compare the device to the most common types of emergency contraception, oral Ulipristal acetate, or oral levonorgestrel. The oral levonorgestrel regimen was approved as a method of emergency contraception by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998. This method involves taking a 1.5mg pill of levonorgestrel in a single, one time dose. The Ulipristal acetate was approved as a method of emergency contraception by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010. This method involves taking a 30mg pill of Ulipristal acetate in a single, one time dose.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Pregnancy, Unplanned Pregnancy; Accident | Drug: Ulipristal acetate Device: levonorgestrel IUS | Not Applicable |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 532 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Prevention |
Official Title: | Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System For Emergency Contraception: a Randomized Control Trial |
Study Start Date : | December 2012 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 2019 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | December 2019 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System
Participants randomized to the levonorgestrel IUS will undergo placement at the time of randomization. They will follow-up with a self-administered urine pregnancy test 5-6 weeks following.
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Device: levonorgestrel IUS
Levonorgestrel IUS, 52mg placed intrauterine
Other Names:
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Active Comparator: Ulipristal acetate
Women in this arm will receive the oral Ulipristal acetate (Ella) regimen, which is currently the most effective method of oral emergency contraception.
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Drug: Ulipristal acetate
30 mg tablet
Other Name: Ella
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- Pregnancy [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]The primary outcome of this study is unintended pregnancy following emergency contraception
- LARC use at 6 and 12 months [ Time Frame: 12 months ]Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) use at 6 months following method allocation will be evaluated.
- Continuation and satisfaction among participants in the LNG-IUS arm [ Time Frame: 12 months ]Continuation and satisfaction among participants in the LNG-IUS arm

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 14 Years to 45 Years (Child, Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Women age 14-45
- Under-protected intercourse within the last five days (120 hours)
- Willingness to accept either intervention: intrauterine contraception or oral emergency contraception (EC)
- Ability and willingness to follow-up for in clinic urine pregnancy test (UPT)
- Ability and willingness to be contacted by phone for 6 and 12 month follow-up
Exclusion Criteria:
- Positive pregnancy test
- Non-English speaking
- Contraindication to intrauterine contraception or oral EC
- Inability or unwillingness to comply with follow-up

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01539720
Contact: Colleen P McNicholas, DO | 314-747-1425 | mcnicholasc@wustl.edu | |
Contact: Loire Biggs, BA | 314-747-1425 | loirebiggs@wustl.edu |
United States, Missouri | |
Washington University in St Louis | Recruiting |
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110 | |
Contact: Loire Biggs, BA 314-747-1425 loirebiggs@wustl.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Colleen P McNicholas, DO |
Principal Investigator: | Colleen P McNicholas, DO | Washington University School of Medicine |
Responsible Party: | Washington University School of Medicine |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01539720 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
201201007 |
First Posted: | February 27, 2012 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | January 30, 2018 |
Last Verified: | January 2018 |
Keywords provided by Washington University School of Medicine:
emergency contraception Ella Mirena IUD post-coital contraception Liletta IUD |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Emergencies Disease Attributes Pathologic Processes Levonorgestrel Contraceptive Agents, Female |
Contraceptive Agents Reproductive Control Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic Contraceptives, Oral |