CONTENTS
HIGHLIGHTS
December 1995 |
There is no evidence that IUDs cause any type of cancer (148, 194, 280, 332, 436). In fact, US and Italian case- control studies have found that women who used IUDs were about half as likely to develop endometrial cancer as other women (578, 617). These findings must be interpreted cautiously, however, because women who have long or heavy menstrual bleeding may be both more likely to develop endometrial cancer and to avoid IUD use (617). One US case-control study suggested that copper IUDs offer some protection against cervical cancer. The reduction in risk to about 60% was not statistically significant. The analysis did adjust for number of sexual partners, history of genital infections, and other factors (526). IUD users may be more likely to develop nonspecific vaginitis (often called bacterial vaginosis), according to two studies (455, 474). More research is needed, however. (For discussion of pelvic inflammatory disease, a more severe but uncommon complication, see Chapter 5, Infection.) |