7) Who CAN and CAN’T Use an IUD? (Talking IUC with Dr. D)

IMPORTANT 2023 UPDATE re: IUD DURATION OF USE- US FDA now approves 52mg levonorgestrel IUD (Mirena, Liletta) for 8 YEARS use for contraception. When treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding is the primary indication, best results are usually seen in the first 5 years. Kyleena (19.5mg) is still 5 years. See video #35 for info on copper IUD extended use.
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Dr. Kristina Dervaitis, an OB/Gyn in Newmarket, Ontario, answers your IUD questions:
Who CAN use an IUD? Who CANNOT or should not use an IUD? What are some of the “myths” surrounding who can or can’t use an IUD?
CAN use an IUD:
(Addressing some IUC myths/misconceptions)
-patients who have never had children
-adolescents
-have not yet been sexually active
-past history of STI (successfully treated)
-women who are breastfeeding
-past history of a blood clot (or at increased risk of blood clot)
CANNOT use an IUD:
(ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATIONS):
-already pregnant
-active pelvic infection
-recent septic (infected) miscarriage
-known distorted uterine cavity
-abnormal uterine bleeding not yet diagnosed/ investigated
-cancer of the uterus or cervix
-gestational trophoblastic disease
-progesterone receptor positive breast cancer (re: hormonal IUD)
-pelvic tuberculosis
CANNOT (or probably cannot) use an IUD:
(RELATIVE CONTRAINDICATIONS):
-treated (previous) progesterone receptor positive breast cancer (re: hormonal IUD)
-some liver diseases (re: hormonal IUD)
-complicated solid organ transplant
-between 48 hours and 4 weeks post partum
Please note: this channel is provided as a volunteer public health education initiative (not for profit, no industry support, the channel is not monetized with ads). Dr. Dervaitis received her MD in 2000 and completed her OB/Gyn residency training in 2005 at Western University.
For more information, I recommend the official sexual health website of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: www.sexandu.ca