PERFORMANCE OF THE COPPER-T 200 IN PAROUS ADOLESCENTS - ARE COPPER IUDS SUITABLE FOR THESE WOMEN

The clinical performance of a cohort of 995 parous adolescents, first- time users of the T-Cu 200B was studied and compared with a cohort of paired controls 10 years older, of the same parity. Life-table analysi s showed that pregnancy, expulsion rates, as well as removals for blee ding and/or pain were higher in adolescents but within ranges already reported in the literature on this device. Removals for infection were few and not significantly different. Although the clinical performanc e of the T-Cu 200B in adolescents is not as good as in older women, th e performance is similar or better than that reported for other revers ible methods in this age group. our conclusion is that IUDs should not be contraindicated for parous adolescents as long as adequate counsel ing, screening of risk factors, skillful insertion and follow-up are p rovided.