Copper IUDs Highly Effective as Emergency Contraception

Copper intrauterine devices are highly effective for preventing pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, according to a meta-analysis in Human Reproduction.

The analysis included 42 studies that looked at eight different copper-bearing IUDs in some 7000 women in six countries. Nearly three quarters of IUD insertions occurred within 5 days of unprotected intercourse, as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Overall, the pregnancy rate after IUD insertion was 0.14%. When one study was excluded (its researchers intentionally chose women who had higher pregnancy risk), this rate dropped to 0.09%.

Asked to comment, Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz of Journal Watch Women's Health said: "Since IUDs are 10 times more effective than emergency contraceptive pills, women need to know this is an option. For cardiac emergencies, quality of care is measured by 'door-to-device' time. The same should be true for contraceptive emergencies; high-quality care means offering prompt device placement."