Intrauterine Device
Aka: Intrauterine Device, IUD, Paragard, Copper T-380A IUD, Progestasert, Mirena, Skyla, Liletta
II. Contraindications: Absolute
- Undiagnosed Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Uterine abnormality that distorts endometrial cavity
- Current intrauterine infection
- Unresolved abnormal Pap Smear
- Current endometrial or Cervical Cancer
- Findings suggestive of trophoblastic disease
- Wilson’s Disease or copper allergy (Copper-T IUD)
- Uterine or pelvic infection within last 3 months
III. Contraindications: Historical that are no longer contraindications (restrictions loosened by FDA in 2010)
- Nulliparity
- More difficult to place if no prior pregnancy
- Must be able to sound Uterus to 6 cm or greater
- Expulsion rates and longterm device tolerance and continuation rates are similar to women previously pregnant
- Adolescents
- USMEC recommends IUD for Contraception in this cohort due to high efficacy that outweighs potential risks
- Risk of PID or future Infertility does not appear to be increased
- Sexually Transmitted Disease history or multiple sexual partners
- PID may now be lower risk with modern IUDs
- Screen women for STIs per CDC guidelines
- Delay IUD Placement for 3 months following Sexually Transmitted Infection treatment
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Ectopic risk is not increased with IUD use
- However, if breakthrough pregnancy occurs, it is much more likely to occur as an Ectopic Pregnancy
IV. Risk Factors
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Tubal Infertility
- Cohort Study (n=4185)
- Primary (Nulliparous) Tubal Infertility Risk
- Dalkon Shield Relative Risk: 3.3
- Lippes Loop or Saf-T-Coil Relative Risk: 2.9
- Copper-T IUD Relative Risk: 1.6
- Having only one sexual partner: No increased risk
- Secondary (Multiparous) Tubal Infertility Risk
- Copper-T IUD Relative Risk: 1.5 (not significant)
- Non-Copper IUD Relative Risk: 2.8
- Primary (Nulliparous) Tubal Infertility Risk
- References
- Cohort Study (n=4185)
V. Adverse Effects
- First 3 months after IUD insertion
- Perception of vaginal infection
- Changes in menstrual flow (30%)
- Dysmenorrhea or prolonged flow
- Results in 10-15% discontinuation in first year
- Reduced with NSAIDs taken 2-3 days with flow onset
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease risk
- Risk increases in first 20 days after insertion
- Risk is <1 per 1000 insertions
- Use of prophylactic antibiotics not warranted (not effective, do not alter course)
- Expulsion in first 2 months
- Increased expulsion rates if placed immediately after delivery, Cesarean Section or pregnancy loss
- Days 1-5: 5% expulsion rate
- Days 6-12: 3% expulsion rate
- Days >12: 2% expulsion rate
- Progestin IUD (Mirena, Skyla) related adverse effects
- Headache
- Hair Loss
- Major Depression
- Breast tenderness
- Vaginitis
- Pelvic Pain
VI. Safety
- IUDs are compatible with Lactation
VII. Types: Available in U.S.
- Copper T-380A IUD (Paragard): 10 year copper device
- First year failure rate: 0.7%
- Cumulative ten year failure rate: 2.1%
- Recent studies indicate efficacious 12 years
- Reduces Ectopic Pregnancy rate significantly
- Barium impregnated
- Mirena: 5 year Progesterone (Levonorgestrel) device
- First year failure rate: 0.2%
- Of pregnancies, 50% will be ectopic
- Better efficacy than Copper-T IUD
- Polyethylene-barium T-shape 52 mg Levonorgestrel
- Releases 20 mcg/day of Levonorgestrel
- Progesterone adverse effects may occur
- Conception occurs for 80% within 12 months of removal
- Mechanism (Primarily spermicidal)
- Thins endometrium and thickens Cervical Mucus
- Inhibits sperm movement and function
- May also suppress Ovulation
- Reduces Menstrual Bleeding
- Consider for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
- Irregular bleeding may occur in first 6 months
- Amenorrhea at one year of use if common (20%)
- First year failure rate: 0.2%
- Skyla: 3 year Progesterone (Levonorgestrel) device
- New in 2014 from Bayer (also makes Mirena)
- Releases 14 mcg/day of Levonorgestrel (lower dose than Mirena)
- Similar inserter as Mirena
- Marketed for nulliparous patients (but other IUDs are also considered safe in this cohort)
- First year failure rate: 0.9%
- Less effective than either Mirena or Copper-T IUD
- Conception occurs for 77% within 12 months of removal
- Liletta: Progesterone (Levonorgestrel) device
- Releases 19 mcg/day of Levonorgestrel (similar to Mirena)
- Released in 2015 and approved for 3 years of protection
- Studies are ongoing with goal of ultimately showing 7 years of protection
VIII. Preparations: Discontinued
- Progestasert: 1 year Progesterone device (discontinued in U.S. in 2001)
- First year failure rate: 2%
- Ethylene/vinyl acetate T-shape 38 mg Progesterone
- Higher rate of ectopic compared with Copper IUD
- Less bleeding complications
- Progesterone adverse effects may occur
IX. Indications: Prophylactic Antibiotics on insertion
- Routine prophylaxis no longer indicated
- No difference in outcomes
- Prior indications for antibiotic prophylaxis
- History of Bacterial Vaginosis
- Difficult insertion
- SBE Prophylaxis (not indicated in IUD insertion)
X. Procedure
- See IUD Insertion
XI. Protocol: Switching between contraceptives
- Switch to Mirena IUD from pill, patch, ring
- Use pill, patch, ring, or barrier protection for the first 7 days after Mirena insertion
- Switch may be made before the scheduled end of use of the prior contraceptive
- Switch to Mirena IUD from Copper-T IUD
- Use barrier protection for first 7 days
- Switch to Depo Provera from Copper-T IUD
- Give first injection 7 days prior to Copper-T-IUD removal (or use barrier contraceptive for 1 week)
- Switch to Nexplanon (Progestin implant) from Copper-T-IUD
- Nexplanon should be inserted 4 days prior to Copper-T IUD removal (or use barrier contraceptive for 4 days)
- Switch to contraceptive pill, patch or ring from the IUD
- Start the new contraceptive 7 days before IUD removal
- Switch to Copper IUD from other methods
- Insert Copper-T IUD no more than 5 days after stopping other contraceptive
- Insert Copper-T IUD no more than 16 weeks after last Depo Provera injection
XII. Management: Complications
- Sexually Transmitted Infection without signs of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- IUD may be left in place and STD treated
- Remove IUD for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or other symptomatic Sexually Transmitted Infection
- Pregnancy with IUD in place
- Transvaginal Ultrasound to exclude Ectopic Pregnancy (critical)
- IUD Removal
- UltrasoundUterus to confirm IUD in place if strings can not be found
- Recommended to reduce pregnancy loss, Placental Abruption, preterm delivery, and low birth weight
- However, pregnancy loss occurs in at least 40% of women after IUD removal
- Saav (2007) Hum Reprod 22(10): 2647-52 [PubMed]