| FIGURE 1. The main messages of key articles that dispel common myths about IUDs, 1987-2001 |
| Citation |
Main message |
| World Health Organization, 1987 |
The IUD is an important method of fertility regulation with high continuation rates and important advantages in convenience of use. |
| Wilcox et al., 1987 |
The IUD effectively interrupts the reproductive process before implantation. |
| Alvarez et al.,1988 |
The IUD prevents most fertilizations from occurring, but if it fails to do so, the IUD prevents fertilized ova from entering the uterus. |
| Wilson, 1989 |
Fertility is not impaired among women who have IUDs removed because of complications. |
| Sivin et al., 1991 |
Copper IUDs are as safe as levonorgestrel IUDs. |
| Farley, 1992 |
PID is an infrequent event after the first 20 days following IUD insertion. |
| Andersson, Odlind |
A five-year study showed that the LNG-IUS is a and Rybo, 1994 safe and effective contraceptive. |
| UNDP et al., 1997 |
A 12-year follow-up study confirmed the safety and efficacy of copper IUDs. |
| Sinei et al., 1998 |
IUDs are a safe form of contraception for HIV-positive women. |
| Walsh et al., 1998 |
Careful screening practices can eliminate insertion-related PID. |
| Hubacher et al., 2001 |
Copper IUDs do not increase the risk of tubal infertility, whereas exposure to Chlamydia trachomatis does. |
| Kadanali et al., 2001 |
The IUD interferes with sperm transport in the female reproductive tract. |
| Meirik, Farley and Sivin, 2001 |
Copper IUDs are safe and effective in relation Sivin, 2001 to other methods. |
| Shelton, 2001 |
Even in settings with a high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, the theoretical risk of PID attributable to an IUD insertion is very low. |
| Source: reference 18. |
