Intrauterine device
By Mayo Clinic staffIntrauterine devices (IUDs) are among the safest contraceptive devices, and are commonly used worldwide. They were used extensively in the United States until the 1980s, when a significant number of pelvic infections were observed in women using a specific IUD called the Dalkon Shield. It turned out that the thread going from the lower end of the device through the cervix and into the vagina acted as a wick, carrying bacteria from the vagina into the cervix and uterus. Not long after the discovery, the Dalkon Shield was pulled from the market. As a result, IUDs fell out of favor in the U.S., despite the proven safety and effectiveness of other IUDs. In recent years, however, IUDs have made a comeback and are again a popular method of birth control.
