IUDs are Efficient and Harmless to High Risk Patients

The new findings by the Virginia Commonwealth University researchers suggest that intrauterine devices are harmless and efficient in high-risk patients.

The new findings by the Virginia Commonwealth University researchers suggest that intrauterine devices are harmless and efficient in high-risk patients. Earlier This method was not considered safe for this group of women. These findings will also help the physicians to give appropriate guideline to these women for the usage of IUDs.

The IUD is the most common form of reversible birth control used by women worldwide. While IUDs offer a high level of long-term contraceptive efficacy, they have been associated with health risks, including pelvic inflammatory disease and upper genital tract infections.

Women who are at high risk for both sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy have been classified as poor candidates for this method of contraception.

In a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, researchers concluded that IUDs were acceptable and not associated with a significant increase in occurrence of gynecologic infections in women who are at high risk for both sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

“We once thought that IUDs could only be used in married, monogamous women because of a perceived increase in the risk of pelvic infections,” said lead investigator, Catherine A. Matthews, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at VCU.

“From our study, we now know that IUDs are safe to use in all women who don't have an acute infection of the cervix. Therefore, young, unmarried, sexually active women can now be considered good candidates for this contraceptive option, which doesn't require taking a pill, patch, or injection,” she said.

The team conducted a medical chart review of approximately 200 women who had IUDs inserted between 2000 and 2005. Researchers compared the efficacy and complication rates of the Paragard IUD and Mirena intrauterine system (IUS). Both are T-shaped devices placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy, however, the Mirena IUS releases a hormone.

According to Matthews, a third of women who received an IUD had a history of STD prior to insertion. Additionally, 32 percent of women had a history of other gynecological infections such as bacterial vaginosis, and almost half were unmarried. Matthews said that the Mirena IUS had lower rates of complications and greater acceptability than the Paragard IUD.

Source-Eurekalert
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