Are IUDs More Effective Than Oral Contraceptives?

According to experts, intrauterine devices (IUDs) are more effective than the morning after pills in contraception. A recent study has shown that morning after pills have a higher rate of failure, when compared to the coils, a small copper device that is placed in the womb by a trained nurse or doctor. Intrauterine devices have been used as an effective method of contraception for more than 35. This device has to be placed within five days after unprotected sex.

In this study, data from more than 7,000 women using eight different types of IUDs were analyzed. Data from 42 different studies conducted between 1979 and 2011 on the emergency use of IUDs in six countries was used for the study.

The study reported failure rate of the morning after pill, between 1% and 3%, while that of IUDs was only 0.09%. The results are published in the journal, Human Reproduction. Unintended pregnancies are a problem, accounting up to 36% worldwide. IUDs are found to be very cost effective, as shown by many of the earlier studies.