for ; Fri, 14 Mar 1997 11:03:45 -0500 (EST) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 11:07:38 -0500 To: ppn@csf.colorado.edu From: Richard Cincotta Subject: Contraceptive Pearl - IUD Lifetime//from Jim Shelton (USAID) >>Q: What is the lifetime of the Copper-T-380A IUD? >> >>A: The Copper-T-380A has an FDA approved lifetime for use of 10 >>years. In addition the Copper-T-380A has as approved shelflife >>of 7 years. (The actual lifetime and the shelflife are probably >>even longer than the formally approved timespans.) >> >>It is not uncommon for providers to recommend removal earlier >>than 10 years with immediate reinsertion of a new IUD or to >>recommend a "rest period" from the IUD before a subsequent >>reinsertion. Unless there is some specific legitimate reason for >>removal, such practices do a disservice to women. In addition to >>the nuisance and the possible increased risk of infection >>associated with the unnecessary procedure, the woman may be >>exposed to an increased risk of unwanted pregnancy during a "rest >>period." >> >> ************************************************* Richard P. Cincotta, Ph.D. Population Action International 1120 19th St., NW Suite 550 Washington, DC 20036 USA (202)659-1833 x168 (202)293-1795 (fax) cincotta@popact.org See "Why Population Matters" on the Web: http://www.interaction.org/mb/pop.html See "Press release on saving U.S. programs in International Family Planning" http://www.interaction.org/pressrel/savefp.html *****************************************************