The IUD is a LARC method that is safe for a wide range of women, including adolescents and nulliparous women. On the global level, it is less utilized due to misperceptions among patients. Examination of characteristics associated with IUD discontinuation, including adverse effects and IUD expulsion, can inform provider practices to improve contraception success and patient satisfaction with this method. The researchers studied IUD performance at a public family planning clinic serving a predominantly immigrant, low-income population.
The researchers conducted a retrospective evaluation of one thousand and forty-seven IUD insertions with five years of follow-up data. They performed bivariate and survival analysis to examine characteristics associated with IUD discontinuation: adverse outcomes including pain, bleeding, and IUD expulsion, and time to removal.
Findings of one thousand and forty-seven patients, only one hundred and eighty-eight had their IUD removed within five years. The leading causes of IUD discontinuation were involuntary reasons such as an IUD expulsion and personal choice such as desiring pregnancy.
The study concluded that overall good long-term performance with IUD insertion, with minimal complaints or ad. It served as a better method compared to other methods in many aspects.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/42/2/88
