Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young Women

Too few women are aware of the very high efficacy of intrauterine copper devices (IUDs) to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Women who frequently engage in unprotected intercourse or seek emergency contraception (EC) are at high risk of unplanned pregnancy and possible abortion. It is...

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Main Authors: Norman D. Goldstuck, Dirk Wildemeersch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Obstetrics and Gynecology International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/986439
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author Norman D. Goldstuck
Dirk Wildemeersch
author_facet Norman D. Goldstuck
Dirk Wildemeersch
author_sort Norman D. Goldstuck
collection DOAJ
description Too few women are aware of the very high efficacy of intrauterine copper devices (IUDs) to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Women who frequently engage in unprotected intercourse or seek emergency contraception (EC) are at high risk of unplanned pregnancy and possible abortion. It is therefore important that these women receive precise and accurate information about intrauterine devices as they may benefit from using an IUD for EC as continuing contraception. Copper IUDs should be used as first choice options given their rapid onset of action and their long-term contraceptive action which require minimal thought or intervention on the part of the user. In the United States, there is only one copper IUD presently available which limits treatment options. There are numerous copper IUDs available for use in EC, however, their designs and size are not always optimal for use in nulliparous women or women with smaller or narrower uteruses. Utilization of frameless IUDs which do not require a larger transverse arm for uterine retention may have distinct advantages, particularly in young women, as they will be suitable for use in all women irrespective of uterine size. This paper provides practical information on EC use with emphasis on the use of the frameless IUD.
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spelling doaj-art-33ab2d6e2e8640a0aedd4828707b179d2025-08-20T02:24:15ZengWileyObstetrics and Gynecology International1687-95891687-95972015-01-01201510.1155/2015/986439986439Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young WomenNorman D. Goldstuck0Dirk Wildemeersch1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Western Cape, South AfricaGynecological Outpatient Clinic and IUD Training Center, Rooseveltlaan 43/44, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumToo few women are aware of the very high efficacy of intrauterine copper devices (IUDs) to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Women who frequently engage in unprotected intercourse or seek emergency contraception (EC) are at high risk of unplanned pregnancy and possible abortion. It is therefore important that these women receive precise and accurate information about intrauterine devices as they may benefit from using an IUD for EC as continuing contraception. Copper IUDs should be used as first choice options given their rapid onset of action and their long-term contraceptive action which require minimal thought or intervention on the part of the user. In the United States, there is only one copper IUD presently available which limits treatment options. There are numerous copper IUDs available for use in EC, however, their designs and size are not always optimal for use in nulliparous women or women with smaller or narrower uteruses. Utilization of frameless IUDs which do not require a larger transverse arm for uterine retention may have distinct advantages, particularly in young women, as they will be suitable for use in all women irrespective of uterine size. This paper provides practical information on EC use with emphasis on the use of the frameless IUD.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/986439
spellingShingle Norman D. Goldstuck
Dirk Wildemeersch
Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young Women
Obstetrics and Gynecology International
title Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young Women
title_full Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young Women
title_fullStr Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young Women
title_full_unstemmed Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young Women
title_short Practical Advice for Emergency IUD Contraception in Young Women
title_sort practical advice for emergency iud contraception in young women
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/986439
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