IUDs, Contraceptive Implants Work Longer Than Thought, Researchers Report

THURSDAY, Feb. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants appear to prevent pregnancy one year beyond their approved length of use, according to early results from an ongoing study.

Researchers are assessing whether these long-acting forms of birth control may be effective up to three years after their approved length of use.

Hormonal IUDs are currently approved for five years and contraceptive implants — small rods inserted into the arm — are currently approved for three years. Both types of contraception were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The study, by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will eventually enroll a total of 800 women. These preliminary results were from 263 women who used the hormonal IUD Mirena and 237 women who used the contraceptive implants Implanon and Nexplanon.

The women were aged 18 to 45, and their…