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No. The evidence that LNg IUDs may protect against PID is not conclusive.
The insertion of the LNg IUD is not usually recommended for women at increased risk of STDs or HIV, unless more appropriate methods are not available or are not acceptable. The LNg IUD should not be used in women with a current (or within the last three months) pelvic or sexually transmitted disease (STD). When there is a risk of STD or HIV, condoms should be recommended.
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Evidence is conflicting as to a protective effect. One major study suggests that women using LNg IUDs have a lower risk of progression from STDs to PID, compared to users of copper IUDs. However, other major studies have not demonstrated a significant protection by LNg IUDs against PID. The preventive effect of LNg IUDs against PID is probably similar to the prevention provided by oral contraceptives (OCs).
- Toivonen J, Luukkainen T, Allonen H. Protective effect of intrauterine release of levonorgestrel on pelvic infection: three years' comparative experience of levonorgestrel- and copper-releasing intrauterine devices. Obstetrics and Gynecology 1991;77(2):261-4.
- Andersson K, Odlind V, Rybo G. Levonorgestrel-releasing and copper-releasing (Nova T) IUDs during five years of use: a randomized comparative trial. Contraception 1994;49(1):56-72.
- Sivin I, Stern J, Coutinho E, Mattos CE, el Mahgoub S, Diaz S, et al. Prolonged intrauterine contraception: A seven-year randomized study of the levonorgestrel 20 mcg/day (LNg 20) and the Copper T380 Ag IUDs. Contraception 1991;44(5):473-80.
No hormonal method prevents the transmission of STDs; however, the possible prevention of the progression of infection is a safety feature of this method of contraception in young women, compared to IUDs without progestin, or to use of no method at all. |
