Complications associated with IUD use in a family practice setting
Lewis, R.D.; Shank, C.
Journal of Family Practice 8(1): 47-52
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0094-3509 PMID: 759549 Document Number: 442388
A study was conducted to define IUD complication and discontinuation rates among a family practice residency patient population. The study group included 220 randomly selected IUD acceptors and a control group of 100 similarly selected pill acceptors. The rate of pelvic pain and bleeding found in this study were comparable to results of other IUD studies; both were causes of IUD discontinuation. The difference between the 8.6% pelvic inflammatory disease rate among IUD patients and the 2% rate in pill patients was highly significant. 4% of the IUD users, compared to only 1% of the pill users, required gynecologic/obstetric-related hospitalization during the study period. Most of these hospitalizations were for serious conditions and most were at least partially related to IUD use. Both the discontinuation and complication rates for IUDs were found to be high enough that the method is not recommended for young, otherwise healthy women without careful consideration of the alternatives available.