Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Apr;214(4):499.e1-499.e6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.10.928. Epub 2015 Nov 4.

Accuracy of information about the intrauterine device on the Internet

Tessa Madden  1 , Sarah Cortez  2 , Marie Kuzemchak  2 , Kimberly A Kaphingst  3 , Mary C Politi  2
Affiliations

Accuracy of information about the intrauterine device on the Internet

Tessa Madden et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective methods of contraception, but use continues to lag behind less effective methods such as oral contraceptive pills and condoms. Women who are aware of the actual effectiveness of various contraceptive methods are more likely to choose the IUD. Conversely, women who are misinformed about the safety of IUDs may be less likely to use this method. Individuals increasingly use the Internet for health information. Information about IUDs obtained through the Internet may influence attitudes about IUD use among patients.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the quality of information about IUDs among World Wide Web sites providing contraceptive information to the public.

Study design: We developed a 56-item structured questionnaire to evaluate the quality of information about IUDs available through the Internet. We then conducted an online search to identify web sites containing information about contraception and IUDs using common search engines. The search was performed in August 2013 and web sites were reviewed again in October 2015 to ensure there were no substantial changes.

Results: Our search identified >2000 web sites, of which 108 were eligible for review; 105 (97.2%) of these sites contained information about IUDs. Of sites, 86% provided at least 1 mechanism of the IUD. Most web sites accurately reported advantages of the IUD including that it is long acting (91%), highly effective (82%), and reversible (68%). However, only 30% of sites explicitly indicated that IUDs are safe. Fifty percent (n = 53) of sites contained inaccurate information about the IUD such as an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease beyond the insertion month (27%) or that women in nonmonogamous relationships (30%) and nulliparous women (20%) are not appropriate candidates. Among sites, 44% stated that a mechanism of IUDs is prevention of implantation of a fertilized egg. Only 3% of web sites incorrectly stated that IUDs are an abortifacient. More than a quarter of sites listed an inaccurate contraindication to the IUD such as nulliparity, history of pelvic inflammatory disease, or history of an ectopic pregnancy.

Conclusion: The quality of information about IUDs available on the Internet is variable. Accurate information was mixed with inaccurate or outdated information that could perpetuate myths about IUDs. Clinicians need knowledge about accurate, evidence-based Internet resources to provide to women given the inconsistent quality of information available through online sources.

Keywords: Internet; health information; intrauterine device; intrauterine system.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: T.M. serves on a scientific advisory board for Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and on a data safety monitoring board for phase 4 safety studies of Bayer contraceptive products. M.P. was previously on the US Medication Adherence Advisory Board for Merck & Co, Inc (2011 – 2013) and currently has an investigator-initiated research grant funded by Merck & Co (2014-2015). The other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Inclusion/exclusion of websites identified through search.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Trussell J. Contraceptive failure in the United States. Contraception. 2011 May;83(5):397–404. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Peipert JF, Zhao Q, Allsworth JE, et al. Continuation and satisfaction of reversible contraception. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2011 May;117(5):1105–1113. - PMC - PubMed
    1. O'Neil-Callahan M, Peipert JF, Zhao Q, Madden T, Secura G. Twenty-four-month continuation of reversible contraception. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2013 Nov;122(5):1083–1091. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Jones J, Mosher W, Daniels K. Current contraceptive use in the United States, 2006–2010, and changes in patterns of use since 1995. Natl Health Stat Report. 2012 Oct 18;(60):1–25. - PubMed
    1. Frost JJ, Lindberg LD, Finer LB. Young adults' contraceptive knowledge, norms and attitudes: associations with risk of unintended pregnancy. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2012 Jun;44(2):107–116. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources