Prospective Evaluation of Ease and Difficulties of 869 Cases of Intrauterine Devices Removals.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to describe the ease and difficulty of removing intrauterine devices (IUDs). METHODS: We conducted a prospective study at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculty of Medical Sciences, UNICAMP. We included women who requested IUD removal. We excluded women with partial IUD expulsion in which the IUD was protruded at the external os. We identified difficult IUD removal when the removal was challenging, including the inability to visualize IUD strings extending from the cervical os. RESULTS: A total of 869 women participated. Women were aged 29.4 ± 8.0 years (mean ± SD; range 14-51) and the duration of IUD use at the time of removal was 4.3 ± 4.2 years. We found that 702 (80.8%) women had visible strings at the external os and the removals were performed at the first attempt without difficulty in 692 (79.6%) participants. The pain was more intense (>4) in cases of difficult removals. After multivariate logistic analysis, difficult removals were associated with users of IUD ≥3 years (3 times higher risk); for each previous cesarean delivery, the risk increased by 1.5 times. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that IUD removal is an easy and safe procedure, with only a small proportion of women reporting significant pain with IUD removal.

Uptake, discontinuation, and continuation rate of long-acting contraceptive methods when offered at no cost in Campinas, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the uptake, reasons for discontinuation, continuation, and satisfaction of long-acting contraceptive methods (LARC) when offered at no cost in Campinas, Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study conducted at University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, including women aged 18 to 48 years, who adopted one of three methods. Participants underwent telephone follow-up every 3 months for up to 24 months after insertion. Satisfaction was assessed at the end of 2 years of use through the Likert scale. RESULTS: We invited 1222 women, and among the 971 women who volunteered to participate in follow-up, 414 (42.6%) chose the levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine device (IUD), 358 (36.9%) chose the etonogestrel (ENG) implant, and 199 (20.5%) chose the TCu380A IUD. Discontinuation due to bothersome bleeding was higher among users of the ENG implant (10/358; 2.4%) and the TCu380A IUD (32/199; 8.9%), and expulsion was higher for the TCu380A IUD (30/199; 15.1%). Women continued at 24 months were 340/414 (82.1%), 270/358 (75.4%), and 119/199 (59.8%) among users of the levonorgestrel 52-mg IUD, ENG implant, and TCu380A IUD, respectively. The users of the levonorgestrel 52-mg IUD (301/339, 88.8%), the ENG-implant (222/270, 82.2%), and the TCu380A IUD (105/119, 88.2%) were satisfied or very satisfied by 24 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The three LARC methods had great uptake, high continuation, and discontinuation due to bothersome bleeding was higher among users of the ENG implant and the TCu380A IUD, and expulsion was higher for the TCu380A IUD compared to the 52-mg levonorgestrel IUD. Most of the participants reported being very satisfied. IMPLICATIONS: When the LARC methods were offered at no cost in a Brazilian public clinic the uptake, satisfaction and continuation were high by 24 months after device placement, and high level of satisfaction was reported by most of the participants.

Single-visit long-acting reversible contraception provision and pregnancy rates within 3 months.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the occurrence of pregnancy in a cohort of women who received a copper intrauterine device (IUD), hormonal IUDs or an etonogestrel (ENG) contraceptive implant at a single-visit practice. METHODS: Prospective study conducted at the University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. We obtained data from four ongoing studies including both the date of the device placement, the first day of the last menstrual period, and the occurrence of pregnancy up to 3 months after device placement. RESULTS: We included 2479 device placements (413 TCu380A IUDs, 1476 hormonal IUD and 590 ENG implants). Almost half of the device placements (1113/2479; 44.9%) were performed within the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle. We observed three pregnancies: one in an ENG implant user who received the implant within days 1-5 of the menstrual cycle; one in a woman who received a hormonal IUD during days 6-10 of the menstrual cycle; and one in a copper IUD user with placement during days 21-25 of menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Single-visit long-acting reversible contraception placements are a good strategy with overall very low pregnancy rates. This strategy has a potential to reduce unintended pregnancies and to reduce costs and barriers to both women and the healthcare system.

Costo del retiro anticipado de métodos de planificación familiar / Cost of early removal of family planning methods

Resumen OBJETIVO: Determinar el costo del retiro anticipado de los métodos de planificación familiar. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de costo efectuado con base en los expedientes de usuarias de métodos de planificación familiar en una institución de salud del estado de Querétaro, México (2018 a 2021). La unidad de observación fue el expediente de mujeres que se retiraron anticipadamente los métodos: dispositivo intaruterino T de cobre (DiuTcu), Diu Mirena (DiuM) e implante subdérmico (IMSD). Se definió como retiro anticipado al sucedido antes del tiempo estimado de uso. Se analizaron todos los expedientes en donde estaba registrado el retiro anticipado. Se incluyó a toda la población, de ahí que no fue necesario establecer el tamaño de muestra. El costo del retiro anticipado se identificó a partir del costo unitario del método, tiempo esperado de uso y tiempo de no uso. El análisis estadístico incluyó: promedios, porcentajes, intervalos de confianza y proyecciones, para esto se utilizaron supuestos. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 1361 expedientes. El costo unitario del retiro anticipado del DiuTcu fue de 5.59 pesos (IC95%: 5.04 a 6.14), del DiuM de 1210.73 pesos (IC95%: 1029.58 a 1391.87) y del IMSD de 658.41 pesos (IC95%: 557.37 a 759.44). La proyección a la población mexicana del costo del retiro anticipado de los métodos de planificación familiar es 219,272,470 de pesos. CONCLUSIÓN: El costo del retiro anticipado de los métodos de planificación familiar es alto.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost of early removal of family planning methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cost study realized in records of women users of family planning method in a health institution in Querétaro, Mexico from 2018 to 2021. The unit of observation was considered to be the records of women who had early removal of the copper IUD, Mirena IUD and subdermal implant methods. Early removal was defined as the retirement of the method before the estimated time of use. Work was done with the total number of records (1361), with early removal in 148 (83 copper IUDs, 28 Mirena IUDs, 37 subdermal implants). The entire population was included, so no sampling technique was used. The cost of early removal was identified from the unit cost of the method, expected time of use, time of non-use. The statistical analysis plan included averages, percentages, confidence intervals and projections for which assumptions were used. RESULTS: The unit cost of early removal of copper IUD was $5.59 (95% CI; 5.04-6.14), Mirena IUD $1210.73 (95% CI; 1029.58 - 1391.87) Subdermal implant $658.41 (95% CI; 557.37- 759.44). The projection to the Mexican population of the cost of early removal of family planning methods is $359, 384,161. CONCLUSION: The cost of early removal of family planning methods is high.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Related to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic among Women Seeking Contraceptive Methods / Conhecimento, atitude e práticas relacionadas à pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 entre mulheres que buscam métodos anticoncepcionais

Abstract Objective To determine knowledge, attitude, and preventive (KAP) practices towards the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic among women in reproductive age seeking to use copper or hormonal intrauterine devices (IUD/LNG-IUS). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in which we applied a questionnaire on 400 women about KAP practices on COVID-19 at the University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil, from May to August 2020. Results The mean (±SD) age of the women was 30.8±7.9 years, and 72.8% of them reported being pregnant at least once. Most women (95%) had heard or read about COVID-19, and their main sources of information were television (91%) and government websites (53%). However, 53% of the women had doubts about the veracity of the information accessed. Conclusion Women without a partner and with>12 years of schooling had more information about COVID-19 and on its impact on new pregnancy, and those from high socioeconomic status had a higher chance of maintaining physical distance. Safety, effectiveness, comfort, and absence of hormone in the contraceptive method (in the case of TCu380A IUD) were the main reasons for the participants to seek the service during the pandemic, and the possibility to stop menstrual bleeding was the main reason to choose the LNG-IUS.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar o conhecimento, atitude e práticas preventivas (CAP) em relação à pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) entre mulheres em idade reprodutiva que buscam usar dispositivo intrauterino com cobre (DIU TCu 380) ou sistema intrauterino liberador de levonorgestrel (SIU-LNG). Métodos Foi realizado um estudo transversal e um questionário foi aplicado a 400 mulheres para conhecer o CAP sobre o COVID-19 na Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil, no período de maio a agosto de 2020. Resultados A média (±DP) de idade das mulheres foi de 30,8±7,9 anos, e 72,8% delas relataram ter engravidado pelo menos uma vez. A maioria das mulheres (95%) tinha ouvido ou lido sobre a a Covid-19, e suas principais fontes de informação foram a televisão (91%) e sites do governo (53%). Porém, 53% das mulheres tinham dúvidas a respeito da veracidade das informações acessadas. Conclusão Mulheres sem companheiro e com mais de 12 anos de escolaridade tiveram mais informações sobre a COVID-19 e sobre o seu impacto em uma nova gravidez, e aquelas de nível socioeconômico alto tiveram maior chance de manter distância física. Segurança, eficácia, conforto e ausência de hormônio no método anticoncepcional (no caso do DIU TCu380A) foram os principais motivos para as participantes procurarem o serviço durante a pandemia, e a possibilidade de controlar o sangramento menstrual abundante foi o principal motivo para a escolha do SIU-LNG.

Postplacental placement of intrauterine devices: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the expulsion rate of the TCu380A intrauterine device (IUD) or levonorgestrel (LNG) 52 mg intrauterine system (IUS) up to 90 days after postplacental placement (10 min after delivery of the placenta). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized trial (1:1) of women aged 18-43 years and ≥37 weeks pregnant enrolled during early or prodromal labor at the University of Campinas, Brazil. Follow-up was scheduled at 42 and 90 days after device placement. We confirmed the IUD or IUS location using ultrasonography. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess variables associated with expulsion. RESULTS: We enrolled 140 women, and assigned 70 to the TCu380A IUD and 70 to the IUS groups. By the 90-day follow-up visit, 22/60 women (36.7%) in the TCu380A IUD group had expelled the device, as had 12/60 women in the IUS group (20%). Thirty-three of the 34 expulsions had occurred by the 42-day visit. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the expulsion odds ratio ([OR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]) was higher after vaginal delivery than after Cesarean delivery (OR 5.60; 95% CI 2.08-15.10; P < 0.00) and higher among women with one (OR 4.38; 95% CI 1.33-14.43; P 0.00) or three or more deliveries (including the present one) (OR 6.08; 95% CI 1.78-20.77; P 0.00) than those with two deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: Postplacental TCu380A IUD placement had a higher expulsion rate than the IUS, and the expulsion rate was higher among women who had a vaginal delivery than those who had a Cesarean delivery. Most of the expulsions occurred within 42 days. IMPLICATIONS: Policy makers should increase the availability of both the TCu380A and the LNG intrauterine devices for the immediate postpartum period, even though the expulsion rate is higher than that after interval placement.

The Use of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives and the Relationship between Discontinuation Rates due to Menopause and to Female and Male Sterilizations / Uso de contraceptivos reversíveis de longa duração e a relação entre taxas de descontinuidade devido à menopausa e à esterilização de homens e mulheres

Abstract Introduction Women require effective contraception until they reach menopause. The long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and the depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA, Depo-Provera(r), Pfizer, Puurs, Belgium) are great options and can replace possible sterilizations. Purpose To assess the relationship between the use of LARCs and DMPA and terminations ascribed to menopause and sterilizations in a Brazilian clinic. Methods We reviewed the records of women between 12 and 50 years of age attending the clinic that chose to use a LARC method or DMPA. Cumulative termination rates due to sterilization or because the woman had reached menopause were computed using single decrement life-table analysis over 32 years. We also examined all records of surgical sterilization at our hospital between the years 1980-2012. Results Three hundred thirty-two women had continuously used the same contraceptive until menopause, and 555 women had discontinued the method because they or their partners underwent sterilization. From year 20 to year 30 of use, levonorgestrel intrauterine-releasing system (LNG-IUS - Mirena(r), Bayer Oy, Turku, Finland; available since 1980), copper intrauterine device (IUD - available since 1980) and DMPA users showed a trend of cumulative higher discontinuation rates due to menopause when compared with the discontinuation rates due to sterilization. Over the study period, a steep decline in the use of sterilization occurred. Conclusion Over the past 15 years of research we have observed a trend: women usually preferred to continue using LARC methods or DMPA until menopause rather than decide for sterilization, be it their own, or their partners'. The annual number of sterilizations dropped in the same period. The use of LARC methods and DMPA until menopause is an important option to avoid sterilization, which requires a surgical procedure with potential complications.

Resumo Introdução Mulheres necessitam de contracepção até atingirem a menopausa. Os contraceptivos reversíveis de longa duração e o acetato de medroxiprogesterona de depósito (AMPD) são ótimas opções para substituir possíveis esterilizações. Objetivo Avaliar a relação entre o uso de contraceptivos reversíveis de longa duração (LARCs) e AMPD com terminações atribuídas à menopausa e a esterilizações em uma clínica brasileira. Métodos Revisamos os registros de mulheres entre 12 e 50 anos de idade atendidas em clínica e que escolheram usar LARC ou AMPD. Índices de terminação acumulada devido à esterilização ou à menopausa foram computados usando análise de tabela de vida durante 32 anos. Também examinamos todos os registros de cirurgias de esterilização em nosso hospital no período de 1980 a 2012. Resultados Trezentas e trinta e duas mulheres usaram continuamente o mesmo contraceptivo até a menopausa, e 555 mulheres não deram continuidade ao método pelo fato de elas ou seus parceiros terem se submetido à esterilização. De 20 a 30 anos de uso, usuários de sistema intrauterino de levonorgestrel, dispositivo intrauterino de cobre e AMPD apresentaram tendência de maiores índices de descontinuidade devido à menopausa quando comparados a índices de descontinuidade devido à esterilização. No período de estudo, ocorreu um declínio acentuado no uso de esterilização. Conclusão Nos últimos 15 anos do estudo, foi observada uma tendência na qual mulheres optaram mais por continuar usando LARC ou AMPD até a menopausa do que pela esterilização própria ou de seus parceiros. O número anual de esterilizações caiu no mesmo período. O uso de LARC e AMPD até a menopausa é uma opção importante para evitar a esterilização, que exige um procedimento cirúrgico com potenciais complicações.

Comparison of two cohorts of women who expulsed either a copper-intrauterine device or a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

AIM: To assess if there is a difference in the characteristics of the women who expelled a copper-intrauterine device (TCu-IUD) or the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and the frequency of expulsions over different periods of observation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 19 697 medical charts of women consulting between January 1980 and December 2013 who requested a TCu-IUD or a LNG-IUS. RESULTS: The medical records of 17 644 Cu-IUD and 2053 LNG-IUS users returning to the clinic for a follow-up visit after insertion of an IUC were reviewed. Of these, 1532 Cu-IUD and 254 LNG-IUS parous users were found to have expelled the IUC for a first time. The mean age at insertion (± standard deviation) was 26.3 ± 6.6 years (range 16-49) for Cu-IUD users and 31.7 ± 7.6 years (range 18-48) for LNG-IUS users (P < 0.001). A total of 263 (13.4%) and 12 (4.3%) of the Cu-IUD and the LNG-IUS users were ≤19 years old, and 49.1% and 54.1% of the expulsions among the Cu-IUD and LNG-IUS users, respectively, were reported in the first six months after placement. A regression model showed that the variables significantly associated with an expulsion of either a Cu-IUD or LNG-IUS were age < 25 years, less than two deliveries and using a Cu-IUD. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the characteristics associated with IUC expulsion were age under 25 years, having had less than two deliveries and being users of Cu-IUD.

Weight variation in users of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and a copper intrauterine device for up to ten years of use.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Data on record regarding weight variation in depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users are controversial. To date, no studies have yet evaluated weight variation in DMPA and LNG-IUS users in up to ten years of use compared to non-hormonal contraceptive users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study analysed weight variations in 2138 women using uninterruptedly DMPA (150 mg intramuscularly, three-monthly; n = 714), the LNG-IUS (n = 701) or a copper-intrauterine device (Cu-IUD; n = 723). RESULTS: At the end of the first year of use, there was a mean weight increase of 1.3 kg, 0.7 kg and 0.2 kg among the DMPA-, LNG-IUS- and Cu-IUD users, respectively, compared to weight at baseline (p < 0.0001). After ten years of use, the mean weight had risen by 6.6 kg, 4.0 and 4.9 kg among the DMPA-, LNG-IUS- and Cu-IUD users, respectively. DMPA-users had gained more weight than LNG-IUS- (p = 0.0197) and than Cu-IUD users (p = 0.0294), with the latter two groups not differing significantly from each other in this respect (p = 0.5532). CONCLUSION: Users of hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods gained a significant amount of weight over the years. DMPA users gained more weight over the treatment period of up to ten years than women fitted with either a LNG-IUS or a Cu-IUD.