Table 1

Indications for and contraindications to use of IUDs

INDICATIONSCONTRAINDICATIONS
Multiparous and nulliparous women seeking reliable, reversible, coitally independent contraceptionPregnancy
Women seeking long-term contraception or a contraception method requiring less complianceCurrent or recent (past 3 mo) pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted infection
Women with contraindications or sensitivities to estrogen (eg, women with thromboembolisms or migraines)Cervical or endometrial cancer, malignant trophoblastic disease
Women who are breastfeedingSeverely distorted uterine cavity
Copper IUDs: postcoital contraception up to 7 days and women with current breast cancer or liver diseaseUndiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Copper IUDs: women with human immunovirus infectionAllergy to copper
LNG-IUS: women with menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, or bleeding disordersPuerperal or postabortion sepsis

  • IUDs—intrauterine devices,

  • LNG-IUS—levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

  • Data from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1 and Black et al.2