Kristie McNealy, MD

According a presentation at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) 56th Annual Clinical Meeting, the IUD is an underutilized form of birth control in the US, which has benefits beyond contraception. IUDs can provide protection against endometrial cancer, as well as treating endometriosis and endometrial hyperplasia. Despite the advice given to many women by their gynecologist, IUDs can be appropriate for women who have never been pregnant, or who have had an ectopic pregnancy. Also, the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease with IUD use is small and is limited to the first month after insertion.

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a safe and effective form of longterm birth control, which is easily reversible, and has a failure rate similar to tubal ligation. IUDs can be inserted easily, during an office visit, and fertility returns when they are removed. In the US, IUDs are available in two forms: copper and hormonal. While IUDs are the most common form of reversible contraception in the world, only 2% of US women who use birth control opt for an IUD.

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