title: Uptake and continuation rates of the intrauterine system in a university student general practice population in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To follow a series of 100 women attending for fitting of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG IUS) registered at a single urban general practice serving the students of the local universities and higher education colleges.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective observational study. A questionnaire was completed by the fitter in discussion with the patient at the time of attendance for IUS fitting. Follow up was by telephone at 6 weeks, 6 months and 9-12 months after fitting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age range of women within the series was 18-38 years. 97 women were nulliparous. 37 women selected the IUS as their preferred method of contraception. 12 women chose the IUS primarily for non-contraceptive reasons. 75 women still had the IUS at 12 months' follow up with 11 lost to follow up at this point. No pregnancies or perforations were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IUS is an acceptable form of contraception in young women, including nulliparous women, and should be offered alongside other methods as first line without restriction when offering contraceptive options to this age group.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Student Medical Practice, Leeds, UK. catherine.armitage@nhs.net
authors.forename: Catherine Marie
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Armitage
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wigan
authors.forename: Debbie A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel