ABSTRACT
In the United Kingdom, the “gold standard” among Intrauterine contraceptives (IUCs) for a parous woman without menstrual problems is a banded copper intrauterine devices (IUD or IUDs). IUDs and IUSs are more effective in older women – largely because of declining fertility. After the age of 30 years, there is also a reduction in rates of expulsion and of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – the latter is believed not to be the result of resistance to infection of the older uterus but rather because the older woman is generally less exposed to the risk of infection. The efficacy of the T-Safe Cu 380A in one randomized-controlled trial was greater than that of the all-wire Nova T380®. It is licensed for 10 years, and the data support effectiveness until 12 years. However, the main advantage lies in the infrequency of re-insertion, with its established risks.
