Intrauterine device checks
==========================

* Louise Melvin

Thank you for publishing the article by Draper *et al.* on intrauterine device (IUD) checks.1 I would like to highlight an omission that is potentially confusing. The authors state “until recently, it has been usual for a patient [using intrauterine methods] to be advised to have an annual check”. Reference is made to relevant clinical guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and from organisations outside the UK, but there is no mention of Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) guidance.

FSRH guidance has not recommended annual IUD checks since 2004,2 based on the World Health Organization's *Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use*. published in 2002.3 Follow-up is still recommended after the first menses or 3–6 weeks after insertion.4

The study supports FSRH recommendations on annual checks. As acknowledged by Dr Draper and colleagues, further research is required to assess the benefits of the initial post-insertion check.

## Footnotes

*   Competing interests None.

## References

1.  Draper IB, Haque MS, McManus RJ. Routine intrauterine device checks: are they advisable? J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2012;38:15–18.
    
    [Abstract/FREE Full Text](http://jfprhc.bmj.com/lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6MTQ6ImZhbWlseXBsYW5uaW5nIjtzOjU6InJlc2lkIjtzOjc6IjM4LzEvMTUiO3M6NDoiYXRvbSI7czozMToiL2ZhbWlseXBsYW5uaW5nLzM4LzMvMjA3LjEuYXRvbSI7fXM6ODoiZnJhZ21lbnQiO3M6MDoiIjt9) 

2.  Clinical Effectiveness Unit. FFPRHC Guidance (January 2004). The copper intrauterine device as long-term contraception. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2004;30:29–42.
    
    

3.  World Health Organization (WHO). Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 2002.
    
    

4.  Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. Intrauterine Contraception. 2007. [http://www.fsrh.org/pdfs/CEUGuidanceIntrauterineContraceptionNov07.pdf](http://www.fsrh.org/pdfs/CEUGuidanceIntrauterineContraceptionNov07.pdf) [accessed 23 April 2012].