ABSTRACT
Background: The appropriate choice of a contraceptive method has been a major issue in reproductive health research. Cu T intrauterine device [Cu T IUD] has been introduced as one of the most effective contraceptive methods in the world, however, the relationship between prior use of Cu T IUD and secondary infertility has not been evaluated in Iran. To examine the association of Cu T-380A IUD and secondary infertility in Iran
Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from December 2010 to September 2011 in the Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. A total of 750 married women [15-49 years old] with at least one parity, whom were referred to four educational healthcare centers of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, were selected as participants. They were divided into two groups [case and control] based on previous history of using Cu T-380A IUD. Data were gathered using a standard reliable questionnaire along with a face-to-face interview and were analyzed with descriptive and analytical [chi[2]] tests
Results: Mean period of Cu T-380A IUD usage in the case group was 57.46 +/- 47.74 months and mean time length from Cu T-380A IUD removal to pregnancy was 14.87 +/- 5.18 months in this group. We observed no relationship between the use of Cu T-380A IUD and frequency of secondary infertility [3.5% in the case group versus 2.7% in the control group, P=0.52]
Conclusion: Given the relatively large sample size studied here, it is unlikely that Cu T-380A IUD results in secondary infertility and may be used by Iranian women as a safe contraceptive method