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Pros and cons of intrauterine contraception--do perceptions of users and physicians differ?
K Makkonen1, E Hemminki, R Tuimala
1University of Helsinki, Department of Public Health, Finland.
Objective:
To investigate women's and physicians' opinions of IUD use.
Design:
Two cross-sectional postal surveys; on women in 1987-1988, on physicians in 1988.
Setting:
Survey on women: southernmost Uusimaa province (including Helsinki). Survey on physicians: whole of Finland.
Participants:
Of a stratified random sample of 1000 women aged 18-44 years 84% returned the questionnaire (N = 844). Of a sample of 480 physicians (including GPs and gynaecologists) 418 were eligible, 74% of whom responded (N = 311).
Main Outcome Measures:
Women's and physicians' opinions of and experiences with IUD use as reported in postal questionnaires.
Results:
Most women considered that IUDs were a good method of contraception. Users' and physicians' reports on benefits and disadvantages of IUDs metched each other; both most often mentioned ease of use, efficacy, and lack of systemic effects. Major disadvantages reported by women were bleeding, pain, infection, and pregnancy. Physicians further pointed to the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Though reports of side-effects were commonplace, there was reasonable satisfaction with IUD use.
Conclusion:
This study reveals that most women, and physicians, have a realistic picture of the common problems related to intrauterine contraception. It also emphasizes that, when making contraceptive choices, one is bound to compare possible disadvantages with benefits offered.