Stretching Out IUD Use

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) provide years of convenient, highly effective contraception. To assess outcomes associated with extending the use of IUDs beyond what is currently manufacturer-recommended (e.g., 10 years for the ParaGard copper IUD, 5 years for the Mirena levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [LNG-IUS]), researchers performed a systematic review of eight studies of copper IUDs (1 of which followed women for 20 years) and four studies of the LNG-IUS (used for 7 years).

In all studies, rates of contraceptive failure remained low during extended IUD use. However, no studies included women younger than 25 at placement.