CLINICAL-PERFORMANCE OF THE TCU-380A AND TCU-220C IUDS IN 4 DEVELOPING-COUNTRY FAMILY-PLANNING CLINICS

The clinical performance of the Copper T 380A (TCu 380A) and the Coppe r T 220C (TCu 220C) intrauterine devices (IUDs) were evaluated for 12 months in a group of women who had one of the two IUDs inserted. Resul ts are from a randomized clinical trial conducted at four collaboratin g research sites located in two developing countries. The gross cumula tive life-table pregnancy rate of the TCu 380A IUD was found to be low er than that of the TCu 220C IUD at 12 months (0.3 and 0.8, respective ly), although this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.0 5). Statistically significant differences between the two study IUDs w ere not found with regard to IUD expulsion or IUD removal due to bleed ing/pain, personal reasons, medical reasons, or planned pregnancy. No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency o f experiencing menstrual disturbances (i.e., dysmenorrhea, intermenstr ual pelvic pain or intermenstrual bleeding) between the two IUD groups . These data suggest that the TCu 380A and TCu 220C IUDs are both appr opriate options for contracepting women. The TCu 380A IUD, however, ma y be a more appropriate option for those women wishing to space births over a longer period of time.