Lack of Association between Cu T-380A Intrauterine Device and Secondary Infertility in Iran

BACKGROUND: The appropriate choice of a contraceptive method has been a major issue in reproductive health research. Cu T intrauterine device (Cu T IUD) has been introduced as one of the most effective contraceptive methods in the world, however, the relationship between prior use of Cu T IUD and secondary infertility has not been evaluated in Iran. To examine the association of Cu T-380A IUD and secondary infertility in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from December 2010 to September 2011 in the Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. A total of 750 married women (15-49 years old) with at least one parity, whom were referred to four educational healthcare centers of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, were selected as participants. They were divided into two groups (case and control) based on previous history of using Cu T-380A IUD. Data were gathered using a standard reliable questionnaire along with a face-to-face interview and were analyzed with descriptive and analytical (χ²) tests. RESULTS: Mean period of Cu T-380A IUD usage in the case group was 57.46 ± 47.74 months and mean time length from Cu T-380A IUD removal to pregnancy was 14.87 ± 5.18 months in this group. We observed no relationship between the use of Cu T-380A IUD and frequency of secondary infertility (3.5% in the case group versus 2.7% in the control group, P=0.52). CONCLUSION: Given the relatively large sample size studied here, it is unlikely that Cu T-380A IUD results in secondary infertility and may be used by Iranian women as a safe contraceptive method.