Experience with the copper 7 intrauterine device in an adolescent population.

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study was conducted of 120 consecutive patients who received a Cu-7 IUD at the Cincinnati Adolescent Clinic during a four-year period from July, 1974, through June, 1978. Follow-up was obtained in 116 (97%) of the initial patient population. Mean age at initial Cu-7 insertion was 16.8 years; 81% of the patients were nulliparous. An experience of 149.7 women years was accumulated; the pregnancy rate at the conclusion of the study was 2.0/100 women years. Continuation rate was 83% at six months, 70% at 12 months, 49% at 24 months, and 39% at 36 months. Patient expulsion rate was 18% overall, with a total of 17 expulsion events/100 woman years. Subjective satisfaction with the IUD as a contraceptive method was expressed by 72% of these patients. The Cu-7 has proven to be a safe, effective, well-tolerated contraceptive method in the adolescent female.

ABSTRACT

PIP Over the July 1974 through June 1978 period a retrospective study was conducted of 120 consecutive patients between the ages of 13 and 22 years who received a copper 7 IUD at the Cincinnatti Adolescent Clinic. The patient population was 58% black and 42% white, generally urban, and predominantly from lower socioeconomic areas. At the time of the initial Cu-7 insertion, 81% of the patients were nulliparous, 16% were primiparous, and 3% multiparous. Follow-up was obtained in 116 (97%) of the initial population. At the conclusion of the study the combined duration of Cu-7 retention was 149.7 woman years. The cumulative patient continuation rate was 96/116 or 83% at 6 months, 63/90 or 70% at 12 months, 27/55 or 49% at 24 months, and 12/31 or 39% at 36 months. 3 pregnancies occured, yielding a rate of 2.0/100 woman years of IUD retention. A survey of contraceptive methods used before Cu-7 insertion showed that 47% of the patients had used oral contraception, whereas 38% had no previous contraceptive experience. Partial spontaneous expulsion of the Cu-7 was noted in 18% of the patient population, with a total of 26 expulsions or 17/100 woman years. Most side-effects reported by patients were self-limited and resolved within 2-3 months following insertion. Documented episodes of sexually transmitted disease occurred in 60/116 (51%) of the patients during the period of IUD retention. The Cu-7 was removed from 64 patients (55%) at some point during the period studied. Subjective reasons for removal predominated. Almost 2/3 of the patients chose an alternative contraceptive following IUD removal.