The postcoital IUD as an effective continuing contraceptive method

Abstract

A two-year controlled clinical study of the effectiveness of postcoital IUD as a continuing contraceptive method in 98 women requesting a postcoital contraception is presented. The control group was selected from women requesting an IUD as contraceptive choice. The rates of accidental pregnancy, expulsion and removal for medical reasons did not differ between the two groups. Removal for personal reasons was the only termination event that showed a significant difference at one year. Moreover, the removal for personal reasons of interceptive IUD users mainly occurred in the early months after insertion. Postcoital IUD has proved to be an effective continuing contraceptive method. Special attention and sympathetic counseling should be given to postcoital IUD users before insertion and during the three months following insertion.

PIP: A 2-year controlled clinical study of the effectiveness of postcoital IUD as a continuing contraceptive method in 98 women requesting a postcoital contraception is presented. The control group was selected from women requesting an IUD as contraceptive choice, in a family planning education center in Italy. The rates of accidental pregnancy, expulsion, and removal for medical reasons did not differ between the 2 groups. Removal for medical reasons was the only termination event that showed a significant difference at 1 year. Moreover, the removal for personal reasons of interceptive IUD users occurred mainly in the early months after insertion. Postcoital IUD has proved to be an effective continuing contraceptive method. Special attention and sympathetic counseling should be given to postcoital IUD users before insertion and during the 3 months following insertion.