The Checkered History and Bright Future of Intrauterine Contraception in the United States

The IUD was once a popular form of birth control in the US. It is noted that the sharp drop in IUD use resulted from a combination of interrelated factors and events. However since the IUD is almost impossible to misuse and is far less likely to fail than the pill the condom or the injectable a national increase in IUD use that comes at the expense of such methods would reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. This paper outlines factors that comprise the history and future of IUD in the US. Factors such as new research documenting safety a clear public health need many advantages over other reversible contraceptive methods newly discovered noncontraceptive health benefits a choice of two excellent devices and favorable assessments (by contraceptive experts women physicians satisfied current users and women in other countries) predict a renewed interest in IUD among women users in the US. Together these positive forces may well overcome barriers to IUD provision rid the device of its tainted image and lead to expanded reproductive health choice.