Considerations on a new, frameless copper-releasing intrauterine system for intracesarean insertion and its future clinical significance: A review

Family planning is a system for attaining the desired number of children and enabling a desired spacing between pregnancies. Family planning can be achieved through both the use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility. A woman’s ability to limit her pregnancy has a significant effect on her health.While family planning reduces the rate of unintented pregnancies, it also reduces the number of unsafe abortions. Contraception is an important component of family planning and reproductive health. Among various contraceptive methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs) are very popular because of some of the features of IUDs including being affordable, simplicity of insertion, long duration of action and reversibility. Modern, frameless, copper IUDs contain more copper and their copper content is contained in the solid tubular sleeves rather than in the wire which increases efficacy and lifespan. Immediate postpartum intrauterine device insertion (IPPI) during cesarean section can be considered in women who desire long acting, reversible contraception. Fertility returns instantly after removal of the device and pregnancy rate is not affected. IPPI is a very attractive method, especially for women who have undergone cesarean and require an interval of contraception before getting pregnant again. However, IPPI needs more clinical attention due to many aspects. The advantages remain including the prevention of unintended short interval pregnancies and, by providing an optimal timeframe for post-cesarean uterine recover, can reduce the incidence of the next cesarean delivery. With the publication of international IPPI studies, it will take a place in the range of globally available contraceptive methods, which in this author’s opinion, it deserves.