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Copper
T
- Vishwanath
If you are wondering what contraception
to opt for, perhaps you should consider the Copper T. Read on to find out
if this would be suitable for you.
(This article is intended to provide
general information, and should not serve as a substitute for a physician's
advice.)
The Copper T 380A intrauterine device
(IUD) is one of the most effective, long-acting reversible contraceptives
available. It is inserted high in the uterus by a physician, and provides
enhanced contraceptive protection for up to ten years.
Copper IUDs actually prevent fertilization
by reducing the number and viability of sperm reaching the egg, and by
impeding the number and movement of eggs into the uterus. It is believed
that the continuous release of copper from the coils and sleeves of the
Copper T 380A into the uterine cavity enhances the contraceptive effect
of the IUD.
Effectiveness
The annual pregnancy rate of users
of the Copper T 380A is well below 1%. In actual use during the first year,
the Copper T 380A IUD is more effective than most other IUDs, oral contraceptives,
condoms and barrier methods. The effectiveness of the Copper T 380A
IUD is related to age, with pregnancy
rates decreasing for older women.
Duration of Effectiveness
The US Food and Drug Administration
first approved the Copper T 380A for a duration of four years. In 1989,
the FDA extended the period of efficacy to six years. On the basis of further
data, in 1991 the US FDA approved use of the Copper T 380A for eight years
and in 1994, the period of use was extended to ten years!
Shelf Life
The shelf life of the Copper T 380A
IUD is seven years. If the date on the individual IUD sterilized packaging
has expired, the device and its inserter should be discarded.
Tarnishing of Copper
Copper-bearing IUDs may show discoloration
in their sterile packaging, but this should not cause alarm. The copper
tarnishes because air passes through the sterile IUD package, causing a
film to form on the surface. If the package is not damaged, and the expiration
date on the package has not passed, the IUD will be sterile even if the
copper on the device is tarnished.
Prevalence of Use
Worldwide, the IUD is the most widely
used reversible contraceptive.
IUD use varies from country to country,
reflecting differences in culture, availability, and choice of contraceptives,
attitudes and training of providers, and fertility goals of women. In Scandinavia,
20 to 40 percent of contraceptive users have IUDs, while about 60 million
Chinese women use IUDs.
Return of Fertility
The contraceptive effect offered
by the Copper T 380A IUD is reversed when the device is removed. Conception
rates following removal for planned pregnancy are normal, with rates of
successful planned pregnancy unaffected by duration of IUD use.
Ideal Candidates for
Copper T380A IUDs
The Copper T 380A IUD is recommended
for women who:
-
have had at least one child;
-
are in mutually monogamous relationships;
(IUDs do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases)
-
have no history of pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID);
-
choose not to use hormonal contraceptives.
Women Who Should
NOT Use Copper T380A IUDs
The Copper T 380A IUD should not
be inserted in a woman who:
-
is pregnant or is suspected to be pregnant;
-
still retains a previously inserted
IUD;
-
has a suspected malignancy or abnormality
of the genital tract
-
had postpartum or post-abortion infection
in the past three months;
-
has Wilson's disease or a known allergy
to copper;
-
has genital actinomycosis.
-
has a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
including a lower genital tract infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia;
-
is at a high risk for STDs because she
or her partner has multiple sexual partners;
-
has acute pelvic inflammatory disease
or a history of pelvic inflammatory disease;
-
has conditions associated with increased
susceptibility to infections with microorganisms. Such conditions include,
but are not limited to, leukemia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS),
and intravenous drug abuse.
If a woman cannot predict whether
she or her partner will be in a monogamous relationship, she should adopt
another contraceptive. A woman at risk for a sexually transmitted disease
may also be at risk for transmission of the HIV virus; she should have
her partner use a condom, since an IUD does not protect against AIDS.
Side Effects and Complications
Most women have some bleeding following
insertion of an IUD, and menstrual cramps may worsen. Cramping is more
severe in the first few months after insertion and usually diminishes over
time. Menstrual bleeding may be heavier and longer than usual, and bleeding
between menstrual periods can occur during the first two or three months
after insertion. These side effects decrease over time. Copper IUD use
may also induce iron deficiency in some women; this condition may be treated
with iron supplements.
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