title: Emergency intrauterine device insertion in teenagers: an informal retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Widespread and increased availability of oral emergency contraception (EC) over the past 10 years has made little difference to rates of unintended pregnancy, abortion and repeat abortion amongst teenagers. The insertion of an intrauterine device for EC (EC-IUD) is 98-99% effective compared with 85% for oral methods and can be used for ongoing, long-term reversible contraception. However this method is seldom used for teenagers, a group with a high risk of unintended pregnancy, and there is little published data on the use of EC-IUD in this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous case note review of EC-IUD use in teenagers in three centres in the UK was conducted to quantify provision, to identify insertion difficulties and short-term complications and to ascertain compliance with national guidance concerning sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk assessment and prophylaxis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 103 cases was identified over 4 years (2007-2010) from the three centres (London, Liverpool and Aberdeen). The results show that the majority of fittings were straightforward (94%) with few complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis was deemed necessary in 64% of attenders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors recommend that with STI screening and appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, use of IUDs in women under the age of 20 years should be unrestricted both for long-term contraception and for EC.
authors.affiliation: Specialty Doctor, NHS Camden Provider Services - Sexual & Reproductive Health, Margaret Pyke Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Hannat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akintomide
authors.affiliation: Clinical Fellow, Reproductive Medicine, Old St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Suganthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vinayagam
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Contraception & Sexual Health (CASH) Clinic, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schünmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Emergency Contraception; Intrauterine Devices; Teenagers