This is the current release of the guideline.

This guideline updates a previous version: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Intrauterine device. Washington (DC): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2005 Jan. 10 p. (ACOG practice bulletin; no. 59). [74 references]

Unintended pregnancy

Women and adolescent girls of child-bearing capability who desire contraception

Long-acting reversible contraception

• Copper T380A intrauterine device (IUD)
• Levonorgestrel intrauterine system
• Contraceptive implants

The MEDLINE database, the Cochrane Library, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' own internal resources and documents were used to conduct a literature search to locate relevant articles published between January 1990 and February 2011. The search was restricted to articles published in the English language. Priority was given to articles reporting results of original research, although review articles and commentaries also were consulted. Abstracts of research presented at symposia and scientific conferences were not considered adequate for inclusion in this document. Guidelines published by organizations or institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were reviewed, and additional studies were located by reviewing bibliographies of identified articles.

Not stated

Studies were reviewed and evaluated for quality according to the method outlined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force:

I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.

II-1: Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.

II-2: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies, preferably from more than one center or research group.

II-3: Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments also could be regarded as this type of evidence.

III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.

Not stated

Analysis of available evidence was given priority in formulating recommendations. When reliable research was not available, expert opinions from obstetrician–gynecologists were used. See also the "Rating Scheme for the Strength of Recommendations" field regarding Grade C recommendations.

Based on the highest level of evidence found in the data, recommendations are provided and graded according to the following categories:

Level A — Recommendations are based on good and consistent scientific evidence.

Level B — Recommendations are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.

Level C — Recommendations are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion.

In an economic analysis, both types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) (copper T380A and levonorgestrel intrauterine system) were among the three least expensive contraceptive methods over a 5-year period.

Practice Bulletins are validated by two internal clinical review panels composed of practicing obstetrician-gynecologists generalists and sub-specialists. The final guidelines are also reviewed and approved by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Executive Board.

The grades of evidence (I-III) and levels of recommendation (A-C) are defined at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field.

Summary of Recommendations and Conclusions

The following recommendation and conclusion are based on good and consistent scientific evidence (Level A):

• Routine antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent pelvic infection is not recommended before intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.
• Insertion of a copper IUD is the most effective method of postcoital contraception when inserted up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse.

The following recommendations and conclusions are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence (Level B):

• IUDs may be offered to women with a history of ectopic pregnancy.
• Insertion of the implant is safe at any time in nonbreastfeeding women after childbirth.
• Implants may be offered to women who are breastfeeding and more than 4 weeks after childbirth.
• Insertion of an IUD or implant immediately after either an abortion or miscarriage is safe and effective.
• Immediate postpartum IUD insertion, which is an insertion within 10 minutes of placental separation, appears safe and effective.

The following recommendations and conclusions are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion (Level C):

• The U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use classifies placement of an implant in breastfeeding women less than 4 weeks after childbirth as Category 2 because of theoretic concerns regarding milk production and infant growth and development.
• Nulliparous women and adolescents can be offered long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, including IUDs.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that IUDs be removed from pregnant women when possible without an invasive procedure.
• Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods have few contraindications, and almost all women are eligible for implants and IUDs.
• Insertion of an IUD or an implant may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle as long as pregnancy may be reasonably excluded.
• For women at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (e.g., aged 25 years or younger or having multiple sex partners), it is reasonable to screen for STIs and place the IUD on the same day (and administer treatment if the test results are positive) or when the test results are available.
• Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods have an effect on menstrual bleeding, and patients should be given anticipatory guidance about these effects.
• An endometrial biopsy may be performed without removing the IUD. Cervical colposcopy, cervical ablation or excision, or endometrial sampling, may be performed with an IUD left in place.

Definitions:

Grades of Evidence

I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.

II-1: Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.

II-2: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies, preferably from more than one center or research group.

II-3: Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments also could be regarded as this type of evidence.

III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.

Levels of Recommendations

Level A — Recommendations are based on good and consistent scientific evidence.

Level B — Recommendations are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.

Level C — Recommendations are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion.

None provided

The type of supporting evidence is identified and graded for each recommendation (see the "Major Recommendations" field).

Appropriate use of long-acting reversible contraceptives

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

• The most common adverse effects reported with the copper IUD are abnormal bleeding and pain.
• Some women may experience hormone-related effects, such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, depression, and cyst formation, with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system.
• Overall, complications with IUDs are uncommon and mainly include expulsion, method failure, and perforation.
• Complications of continuing a pregnancy with an IUD in place include an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and septic abortion.
• Overall, difficulties with IUD insertion rarely occur. Difficulties that have been reported include vasovagal reaction, the need for cervical dilation, severe pain, inability to insert the IUD, and uterine perforation.
• A pregnancy conceived with a levonorgestrel intrauterine system that is retained raises the theoretic concern of the effect of fetal exposure to hormones.

Contraceptive Implants

• After implant insertion, changes in menstrual bleeding patterns are common and include amenorrhea or infrequent, frequent, or prolonged bleeding. Other reported adverse effects include gastrointestinal difficulties, headaches, acne, breast pain, vaginitis, and weight gain.
• Complications related to implant insertion (1.0%) and removal (1.7%) are uncommon. Insertion complications include pain, slight bleeding, hematoma formation, difficult insertion, and unrecognized noninsertion. Removal may be complicated by breakage of the implant and inability to palpate or locate the implant because of deep insertion.
• The contraceptive implant may have an effect on carbohydrate metabolism by causing mild insulin resistance, with no significant change in serum glucose levels in normal women.
• Between 6% and 12% of implant users in contraceptive studies report weight gain but few discontinue the implant because of weight change.
• 10–14% of users experience a worsening of acne symptoms.

Immediate postpartum insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) is contraindicated among women in whom peripartum chorioamnionitis, endometritis, or puerperal sepsis is diagnosed. The International Planned Parenthood Federation, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, developed guidelines that include the restriction of IUD insertion within 3 months of treatment of puerperal sepsis.

These guidelines should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure. Variations in practice may be warranted based on the needs of the individual patient, resources, and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice.

An implementation strategy was not provided.

Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins-Gynecology

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) committees are created or abolished and their overall function defined by the Executive Board. Appointments are made for one year, with the understanding that such appointment may be continued for a total of three years. The majority of committee members are Fellows, but Junior Fellows also are eligible for appointment. Some committees may have representatives from other organizations when this is particularly appropriate to committee activities. The president elect appoints committee members annually.

Not stated

This is the current release of the guideline.

This guideline updates a previous version: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Intrauterine device. Washington (DC): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2005 Jan. 10 p. (ACOG practice bulletin; no. 59). [74 references]

Electronic copies: None available

Print copies: Available for purchase from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Distribution Center, PO Box 933104, Atlanta, GA 31193-3104; telephone, 800-762-2264, ext. 192; e-mail: sales@acog.org. The ACOG Bookstore is available online at the ACOG Web site .

A proposed performance measure is included in the original guideline document.

The following is available:

• The intrauterine device. Atlanta (GA): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2007. Electronic copies: Available from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Web site . Copies are also available in Spanish .

Print copies: Available for purchase from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Distribution Center, PO Box 933104, Atlanta, GA 31193-3104; telephone, 800-762-2264, ext. 192; e-mail: sales@acog.org. The ACOG Bookstore is available online at the ACOG Web site .

Please note: This patient information is intended to provide health professionals with information to share with their patients to help them better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. By providing access to this patient information, it is not the intention of NGC to provide specific medical advice for particular patients. Rather we urge patients and their representatives to review this material and then to consult with a licensed health professional for evaluation of treatment options suitable for them as well as for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. This patient information has been derived and prepared from a guideline for health care professionals included on NGC by the authors or publishers of that original guideline. The patient information is not reviewed by NGC to establish whether or not it accurately reflects the original guideline's content.

This NGC summary was completed by ECRI Institute on October 10, 2007. The information was verified by the guideline developer on December 3, 2007. The information was reaffirmed by the guideline developer in 2009 and updated by ECRI Institute on December 17, 2010. This NGC summary was updated by ECRI Institute on August 29, 2011.

This NGC summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the guideline developer's copyright restrictions.