Sammanfattning
Introduction: In Denmark most IUDs are inserted by general practitioners (GPs). The aim of this study was to describe the safety and inconveniences of and complications countered during the use of IUDs in general practice. Materials and methods: All 232 GPs in Frederiksborg County were invited to participate, and 38% took part. Their age, the number of years they had worked as GPs and the length of their gynaecological education were registered. Anamnesis, insertion procedure, inconveniences and complications were registered when the IUD was inserted and at two control visits six weeks and six months later. Results: 562 women were included, of which 25 insertions were abandoned. 434 copper IUDs and 98 gestagen-releasing IUDs were inserted. In 5 cases the type of the inserted IUD was not registered. 91.0% of the women reported that they were satisfied with the IUD at visit 2 and 85.2% at visit 3 without difference between the two types of IUD. Women who had a gestagen-releasing IUD complained about irregular bleeding more often in the beginning, while pain and heavy bleeding were more frequent among users of copper IUDs. General complaints were about pain, bleeding problems and discharge, which were also the most frequent reasons for removing the IUD. An IUD was most often removed from a woman who was using an IUD for the first time. Removal was independent of the age of the woman, menstrual history, the GP's experience and the circumstances of the insertion. In all, 51 women had their IUD removed because of complications. The rate of removal during the first half year was estimated at 7.7%. Discussion: The incidence of complications after insertion of an IUD inserted by a GP was low and corresponded to the results obtained by gynaecologists and birth control clinics.