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Copper IUDs, PID, and fertility in nulliparous women

Advances in Contraception volume 7, pages 211–230 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

Some authors have suggested that use of IUDs (intrauterine contraceptive devices) in nulliparous women should be contraindicated because of the risk for PID (pelvic inflammatory disease); others have found nulliparous women to be suitable candidates for IUD use. Clinical studies of copper IUDs in which parous and nulliparous women have been compared with regard to risk of PID often point to young age as a risk factor, regardless of parity. Vital statistics of PID rates also show this trend. An overall PID rate of 1.49/100 woman-years (WY) was calculated from data contained in 28 of the clinical studies reviewed in this paper. These studies included 25,674 women, of whom 42.5% were nulliparous. Studies of fertility following use of copper IUDs indicate that fertility is not impaired by their use.

Resumé

Certains auteurs ont suggéré que l'usage des DIU (dispositif intra-utérin de contraception) chez les femmes nullipares devrait être contre-indiqué à cause du risque de maladies pelviennes inflammatoires (MPI); d'autres ont trouvé que ces dispositifs convenaient fort bien pour les femmes nullipares. Des études cliniques effectuées avec des DIU au cuivre, où l'on a comparé, en étudiant le risque de MPI, des femmes ayant eu des enfants et des femmes nullipares, ont souvent révélé que le jeune âge était un facteur de risque, quelle que soit la parité. Les statistiques vitales sur le taux de MPI ont aussi fait apparaître cette tendance. Un pourcentage total de MPI de 1.49 pour 100 année/femme a été calculé à partir des données extraites de 28 études cliniques examinées dans ce document. Ces études portaient sur 25,674 femmes, dont 42.5% étaient des nullipares. Des études relatives à la fécondité après usage du DIU au cuivre montrent que celle-ci n'est pas compromise par l'utilisation de ce dispositif.

Resumen

Ciertos autores han sugerido que el empleo de DIU (dispositivos anticonceptivos intrauterinos) en las mujeres nulíparas debía estar contraindicado a causa del riesgo de enfermedades pélvicas inflamatorias (EPI); otros han considerado que estos dispositivos eran convenientes para las mujeres nulíparas. Los estudios clínicos realizados con DIU de cobre en los que se comparó el riesgo de EPI en las mujeres con hijos y en las mujeres nulíparas revelaron frecuentemente que la edad joven era un factor de riesgo, sea cual fuere la paridad. Las estadísticas vitales relativas a la proporción de API también indican esta tendencia. Se calculó un porcentaje total de EPI de 1.49 por cada 100 años-mujer a partir de los datos extraídos de 28 estudios clínicos examinados en este documento. Estos estudios comprendieron a 25,674 mujeres, de las cuales el 42.5% eran nulíparas. Los estudios relativos a la fecundidad tras el empleo de DIU de cobre indican que la fertilidad no se ve afectada por el empleo di dicho dispositivo.

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  1. G.D. Searle & Co., 5200 Old Orchard Road, 60077, Skokie, IL, USA

    B. J. Struthers

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This paper is based on a presentation given at the Seventh International Meeting of the Scoiety for the Advancement of Contraception, which was held in Singapore on 4–11 November, 1990.

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Struthers, B.J. Copper IUDs, PID, and fertility in nulliparous women. Adv Contracept 7, 211–230 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849412

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