Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Adolescent Intrauterine Contraception: IUD Size and Comfort during Insertion are Essential (IUD use in adolescents)

Dirk Wildemeersch, Norman D Goldstuck and Dirk Janssens

Background: Unintended pregnancies and induced abortion in adolescent women are soaring. The use of longacting reversible contraceptives (LARC), particularly the intrauterine device (IUD) and implant, are advocated as they don’t require daily adherence.
Objective: To provide expert advice on the use of IUDs in young nulliparous and adolescent women in order to maximize continuation of use of the method.
Results: Clinical studies suggest that high continuation of use of an IUD can be achieved by giving attention to the geometric relationship between the IUD and the host uterine cavity. Frameless IUDs virtually eliminate pain complaints and embedment caused by too large IUDs resulting often in early discontinuation.
Conclusion: Appropriate intrauterine devices could enhance continuation of use and result in fewer unintended pregnancies and induced abortions. It is imperative to attach importance to comfort during device insertion to motivate young women to use the method.