INTERACTIONS BETWEEN INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE USE AND BREAST-FEEDING STATUS AT TIME OF INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE INSERTION - ANALYSIS OF TCU-380A ACCEPTORS IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

OBJECTIVE: This paper is a reassessment of earlier findings from a preliminary analysis of data from a multicenter international trial regimen on breast-feeding and non-breast-feeding women in which events related to insertion, expulsion, and removal of the TCu-380A intrauterine contraceptive device (ParaGard 380) were investigated. STUDY DESIGN: Performance of the TCu-380A through 12 months after insertion was compared with life-table rate analysis, chi(2), Fisher exact test, or Student's test. Variables were events reported during intrauterine contraceptive device insertion and events throughout the 12 months of study participation by breast-feeding status. RESULTS: Breast-feeding among intrauterine contraceptive device users was associated with fewer insertion-related complaints and lower removal rates for bleeding and pain. No uterine perforations were reported throughout the study. CONCLUSION: Differences in the performance of the TCu-380A intrauterine contraceptive device suggest physiologic effects associated with lactational amenorrhea. The TCu-380A intrauterine contraceptive device is a viable option for women breast-feeding at the time of intrauterine contraceptive device insertion.