Five years experience with the copper T 200 in Shanghai - 856 cases

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Medical Devices
• Gynecology

Background:

• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a common form of long-acting reversible contraception.
• The Copper T 200 is a specific type of IUD utilizing copper for enhanced efficacy.
• Assessing the long-term safety and effectiveness of IUDs in diverse populations is crucial for reproductive health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficiency and safety of the Copper T 200 intrauterine device in parous women.
• To compare the contraceptive outcomes based on the timing of IUD insertion (post-abortal, post-menstrual, nursing).
• To determine the long-term effectiveness and suitability of the Copper T 200 for extended use.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 856 insertions of the Copper T 200 in parous women.
• Data collection over a five-year period, encompassing 33,566 woman-months.
• Life-table analysis was employed to calculate cumulative pregnancy, expulsion, and medical removal rates.

Main Results:

• The overall cumulative pregnancy rate was 4.84 per 100 women over five years.
• Expulsion rate was 5.74 per 100 women, and medical removal for bleeding/pain was 22.51 per 100 women.
• Post-abortal insertion showed a significantly lower cumulative pregnancy rate (2.67/100 women) compared to post-menstrual (6.44/100) and nursing period (10.48/100) insertions (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

• The Copper T 200 is an effective and safe contraceptive method for parous women, suitable for up to five years of use.
• Post-abortal insertion of the Copper T 200 offers enhanced contraceptive protection without increasing complication risks.
• The study supports the extended use of the Copper T 200 beyond five years, warranting further investigation.