Does the use of intrauterine contraceptive device as a method of contraction cause infertility in women

Abstract

There have been growing concerns about some contraceptives contributing to infertility in women. A mini-review of studies were carried out to find an answer to these expressed concerns. The aim of this review was to ascertain whether the sue of Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) as a method of contraception causes infertility in women. Criteria set for inclusion of studies were randomised controlled trials, cohort and case-control studies that had compared the fertility outcomes of groups of women who had used and discontinued IUCD, with those who used other methods of contraception.

Using the Griffiths method of mini-review, a search was performed in the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases to retrieve studies that met the criteria set for inclusive of studies. Three studies retrieved from Medline databases met the review criteria. Two of these (cohort studies), which were available, were critically appraised, based on a predetermined protocol.

The findings revealed an association between duration of use of IUCD and fertility outcomes in Nulliparous women – the longer the duration of the use of IUCD, the poorer the fertility recovery. Thus, there was an association between prolonged use of IUCD and poor fertility outcomes; but it was not established as to whether IUCD causes infertility in women