Copper IUDs ‘underused’ for emergency contraception
The lack of Medicare rebate for this indication needs attention, say family planning doctors
Copper IUDs are frequently overlooked in primary care as an option for emergency contraception, a study shows.
The reasons are varied, including time pressure, lack of adequate remuneration, the need for trained clinicians to insert the device and the cost of the procedure for patients, say researchers from the University of Sydney and Family Planning NSW.
In the study, 58 clinicians (all female), from NSW family planning clinics and GP clinics were surveyed online, as were 470 patients who had attended family planning clinics.
Some 55% of the clinicians reported discussing copper IUDs for emergency contraception with patients in the past year.
