gynecology and obstetrics
Intrauterine Device (IUDs; IUD)
Introduction
In the United States, 12% of women who use contraception use intrauterine devices (IUDs). IUDs are popular because of their advantages as a contraceptive method, including being highly effective and having minimal side effects. Also, IUDs need to be changed only every 3, 5, 8, or 10 years, avoiding the need to use a daily, weekly, or monthly contraceptive method. In the United States, available IUDs includelevonorgestrel-releasing IUDs and anintrauterine copper contraceptive. Levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs include and has a 3-year cumulative pregnancy rate of 1.0% ( References ). A 19.5-mg IUD (17.5 mcg a day) is effective for5 yearsand has a cumulative 5-year pregnancy rate of 0.9 to 1.4%. with a cumulative 8-year pregnancy rate of 0.5 to 1.1% ( References , 2% ( References ). See table 