Literature review.
RESULTS: IUDs are highly effective, safe and relatively inexpensive methods of
contraception that may offer advantages for some women over other long-term methods, such as sterilization and
Norplant. IUDs provide protection against pregnancy comparable to that provided by
female sterilization, and they may be more effective than
Norplant. IUDs have a long duration of effectiveness: the
copper T 380A (TCu380A) is effective for at least 10 years, and the
levonorgestrel (LNg) IUD appears to be effective for at least 7.
Norplant is effective for only five years. Both types of IUD can disrupt menstrual
bleeding patterns, although the patterns of
bleeding are different.
Copper IUDs often increase blood loss, whereas the LNg IUD, like
Norplant, substantially reduces menstrual
bleeding. The most important adverse outcome associated with IUD use is higher rates of
pelvic inflammatory disease; careful attention to proper insertion techniques can reduce this risk substantially, and LNg IUDs may cause no increase in risk. IUDs, like both sterilization and
Norplant, provide no protection against
sexually transmitted disease. The TCu380A IUD is extremely cost-effective. There is as yet no public sector price for the LNg IUD, which has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is not provided by family planning donor organizations. If it can be made available to the public sector at a price substantially less than its present market price, the LNg IUD would be a useful addition to the
contraceptive armamentarium for developing countries.
CONCLUSION: