Barriers to the use of IUDs as emergency contraception

The intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is a effective form Of emergenc y contraception (EC). This author hypothesised that IUDs are an underused m ethod and determined to evaluate potential barriers to IUD use. A postal su rvey of 100 family planning doctors and 100 general practitioners was condu cted in Trent Region during March 1998 with a 70 per cent response rate. La ck of time was the most important factor that influenced doctors' decisions not to offer IUDs to the majority of women requesting emergency contracept ion. Most doctors, registered concern aborts the risk of pelvic inflammator y disease. Misconceptions and a lack of accurate information contributed to participants reluctance to discuss IUDs as emergency contraception. Lack o f time in consultations is a Lyell-recognised issue in general practice. Th e risk of sexually transmitted infections is a nationwide concern, but is d ifficult to address without accurate data on the prevalence of the,most com mon pathogens, Considerable effort would be required to increase doctors kn owledge and willingness to offer IUDs routinely to women requesting emergen cy contraception.