Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System Effects on Hemoglobin and Serum Ferritin Among Anemic Women in Kenya

Inclusion Criteria: * Provide sequential oral and written consents to screen for eligibility and enroll * Female, aged 18-50 * Desire to use contraception or possibly switch methods * Possession of a cell phone and willingness to be contacted * Confirmatory low hemoglobin (minimum of 87 g/L and maximum of 126 g/L) taken 1 to 4 weeks after the initial test * Regularly menstruating (at least once every 35 days) * At least 6 weeks postpartum * Willingness to agree to study procedures * Willingness to be randomized to treatment * Willingness to use assigned hormonal contraceptive for 18 months Exclusion Criteria: * Severe anemia (hemoglobin \< 86 g/L) * Currently pregnant based on urine pregnancy test and failure to rule out possible pregnancy according to WHO guidelines * Surgically sterilized or had a hysterectomy * Participated previously in this study by being randomized to contraceptive * Currently using a subdermal contraceptive implant and does not wish to have it removed * Currently using an LNG IUS * Currently receiving treatment for anemia * Any of the following previously diagnosed disorders: hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, hemolytic anemia * Known allergic reactions to oral contraceptives or LNG IUS * Currently receiving an investigational (unapproved) drug in another study * Any condition (social or medical) which in the opinion of the investigator would make study participation unsafe * Intending to become pregnant in the next 18 months * Mucopurulent cervicitis …