An intrauterine device, or IUD, prevents pregnancy by preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg. Although they are now highly effective and safe, past bad publicity surrounding IUD use makes them a less popular choice for birth control.
Origins
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, modern use of IUDs began in Germany and Japan in the 1900s. In the 1960s, manufacturers began to mass-market plastic IUDs.
Dalkon Shield
Pulled from the U.S. market in 1974 due to its association with increased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease, the Dalkon Shield IUD created a lingering bad impression of the safety of all IUDs.
Withdrawal
In the aftermath of the publicity surrounding the Dalkon Shield, manufacturers withdrew other IUDs from the market. The CDC says that concerns with profit and liability rather than safety prompted the withdrawal.
Safety
Newer studies demonstrate that most cases of PID in women with IUDs occur from sexually transmitted diseases, not from the IUD itself. In 1997, the CDC published a statement to that effect.
Types
In 2010, two types of IUD are available in the United States: the ParaGard copper-containing IUD and the Mirena IUD. According to Planned Parenthood, both types are safe for most women to use and highly effective in preventing pregnancy.
