Contraception use and attitudes: women’s concerns regarding hormonal contraception and copper intrauterine devices

Svahn, Susanna; Hultstrand, Jenny Niemeyer; Tydén, Tanja; Ragnar, Maria Ekstrand

doi:10.1080/13625187.2021.1975267

Cited by 10 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Nevertheless, negatively oriented comments had a strong presence among the open responses, overall. This is in correspondence with previous research noting negative attitudes toward the copper IUD (14,16,18,20,21), although positive experiences and attitudes have also been shown (6,14,15,23).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Attention is directed at the evaluation of the reliability of different sources of knowledge and at any mentions of unestablished, systemic side effects, as well as at any correlations between negative attitudes toward or experiences of the IUD and sociodemographic characteristics or levels of trust in sources of information. This is in line with research highlighting the need to study factors influencing women's contraceptive choices, including women's experiences of and attitudes toward contraceptives (16,21,62), not least due to the noted importance of informal social communication for such choices (70).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…In recent years, some online communication about the copper IUD has centered on claims about systemic side effects, encompassing both physical and mental symptoms attributed to the release of copper in the body and the inflammation caused by the IUD. Similar claims have been noted in passing in previous research (21,25,48,49). In Sweden, a social media group focused on this issue currently includes around 8,500 members (17), and it is unknown whether such notions are more widely spread in the population.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Meanwhile, our results have limited generalizability to other contexts, such as countries in the Global South. Furthermore, while it would be interesting to compare attitudes toward copper IUDs with perceptions of hormonal IUDs, not least due to evidence suggesting some overlap between negative attitudes toward both types of devices (21), this study does not allow for that.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While research points to high levels of satisfaction with LARC methods including the copper IUD (6,14,15), studies have also indicated negative attitudes toward the copper IUD in countries including Sweden (14,(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Negative views on the copper IUD have often been associated with communication in social networks, including online social media, where negative commentaries on IUDs have been found to be prevalent (14,16,(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27), although positive views are also communicated (23,25).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attitudes Toward the Copper IUD in Sweden: A Survey Study

Wemrell

Gunnarsson

2022

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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BackgroundWhile the efficacy and safety of the contraceptive copper intrauterine device (IUD) have been affirmed, alongside its importance for the prevention of unintended pregnancies, some studies have pointed to negative attitudes toward the device. In recent years, social media communication about it has included claims about systemic side effects, unsubstantiated by medical authorities. Research from the Swedish context is sparse. This study investigates attitudes toward the copper IUD and any correlations between negative attitudes toward or experiences of the device, and (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) the evaluation of the reliability of different sources of information, and (3) trust in healthcare and other societal institutions.MethodsA survey was distributed online to adult women in Sweden (n = 2,000). Aside from descriptive statistics, associations between negative attitudes toward or experiences of the copper IUD and sociodemographic and other variables were calculated using logistic regressions and expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Open survey responses (n = 650) were analyzed thematically.ResultsWhile many reported positive attitudes toward and experiences of the IUD, 34.7% of all respondents reported negative attitudes and 45.4% of users reported negative experiences. Negative attitudes were strongly correlated with negative experiences. Negative attitudes and experiences were associated with low income, but no conclusive associations were identified with other socioeconomic variables. Negative attitudes and experiences were associated with lower levels of confidence in and satisfaction with healthcare, as well as lower self-assessed access and ability to assess the origin and reliability of information about the IUD. In open responses, negative comments were prevalent and included references to both common and unestablished perceived side-effects. Respondents pointed to problematic aspects of information and knowledge about the copper IUD and called for improved healthcare communication and updated research.ConclusionHealthcare provider communication about the copper IUD should promote reproductive autonomy and trust by providing clear information about potential side effects and being open to discuss women's experiences and concerns. Further research on copper IUD dissatisfaction and ways in which health professionals do and may best respond to it is needed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Attitudes Toward the Copper IUD in Sweden: A Survey Study

Wemrell

Gunnarsson

2022

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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Reasons for satisfaction with the use of the 52‐mg levonorgestrel intrauterine system

Laporte

Charles

Metelus

et al. 2022

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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The 52-mg levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is one of the most effective contraceptive methods, comparable to that of female permanent contraception. 1 It also has non-contraceptive benefits, such as treating heavy menstrual bleeding, improving anemia, reducing dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms, decreasing the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer, 2-4 and reducing pain in women with endometriosis and adenomyosis. 5 Despite its contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits, and the fact that the World Health Organization included the IUS on the list of essential medicines, 6 this device still presents a low prevalence

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