Intrauterine Devices: Effective Contraception with Noncontraceptive Benefits for Adolescents.

Although adolescent pregnancy and birth rates have been declining since the early 1990s, the rate of intrauterine device (IUD) use in adolescents remain low. IUDs are a highly effective contraceptive method with a failure rate of less than 1%. There are currently 5 IUDs available and marketed in the United States: the nonhormonal copper-containing IUD (Paragard Copper T380A; Ortho-McNeil) and 4 hormonal levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG-IUDs). IUDs can be used in adolescents, and the LNG-IUD has many noncontraceptive benefits including the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain/endometriosis, and endometrial hyperplasia/endometrial cancer. In addition, the LNG-IUD is an effective tool for suppression of menses.