Comparative clinical performances of 4 copper-releasing IUDs

Clinical performances of the Copper 7, Gyne T 200, MLcu 250 and Tcu 200 were compared on 203 patients in this random study conducted over a period of 18 months. Insertion-linked events, tolerance (markers were bleeding or spotting, IUD-linked pain and partner discomfort) and causes for removal (spontaneous expulsion, pregnancies and pelvic infection) were considered. Randomization was performed at the beginning, using prescriptions that came from a randomized pool. Validity of the randomization method was checked against four criteria: number of models inserted per IUD type, prevalence of IUD type per age group, per previous gravidities and per previous means of contraception. No major difference in clinical performance among the four IUD types appeared upon analysis of the resulting data.