The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:2:83-88
doi: 10.1576/toag.11.2.083.27480
Copyright © 2009 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives
Charlotte F Fleming, MRCOG MD MFFP, Clinical Director1
1. Directorate of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, Grange House, Llanfrechfa Grange, Cwmbran, Torfaen NP44 8YN, UK Email: charlie.fleming{at}gwent.wales.nhs.uk (corresponding author)
Key content:
- The majority of women use the less reliable methods of contraception.
- The majority of oral contraceptive users miss two or three pills per packet.
- Thinking has changed from promoting user-dependent to user-independent contraceptive methods.
- Intrauterine devices do not cause pelvic infection or ectopic pregnancy.
- There is no lower age limit for users of any long-acting reversible contraceptives, including intrauterine devices.
Learning objectives:
- To understand the advantages of user-independent methods of contraception.
- To be able to combat myths and misunderstandings relating to them.
Ethical issues:
- Fraser competence should be sought whenever a new method of contraception is chosen by someone under 16 who is not involving their parents in their decision.
- Some people may find the intrauterine copper device unacceptable, as one of its contraceptive actions may be to prevent an embryo from implanting.
Please cite this article as: Fleming CF. Long-acting reversible contraceptives. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:83–88.
Keywords contraceptive implant / intrauterine copper devices / intrauterine devices / intrauterine system (Mirena) / NuvaRing / progestogen-only injectable contraception
Copyright © 2009 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
