Complications among adolescents using copper intrauterine contraceptive devices

Objective

To evaluate the rate and pattern of complications associated with use of the Copper T 380A intrauterine device (IUD) among adolescents.

Methods

A prospective comparative study of women eligible for IUD insertion who attended the family planning clinic of Sohag University Hospital, Egypt, between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010. The participants were categorized as adolescents or adults. The Copper T 380A IUD was inserted in all participants and follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 3, and 6 months. Odds ratio and χ² square tests were used to compare the rates of complications at each visit.

Results

Of 1512 patients eligible for IUD insertion, 852 met the inclusion criteria: 281 adolescents and 571 adults. The rates of pain, bleeding, displacement, expulsion, and removal of IUDs were significantly higher in adolescents (P < 0.05). The rates of these complications were high in adolescents younger than 16 years; the rates then decreased with age and became comparable with the adult rates at 18 years of age.

Conclusions

IUD-associated complications were high in adolescents up to the age of 17 years. Our data suggest that adolescents younger than 18 years of age should be counseled carefully before IUD insertion, and examined more frequently to detect displacement or expulsion of the device.