By: Erin Kayata
Intrauterine devices are one of the most effective reversible forms of birth control, despite the pain many go through during the insertion.
Northeastern University experts say that IUDs continue to be a strong option for patients hoping to avoid pregnancy, despite new research that shows that certain hormonal ones can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
“I think it’s still a very effective and very safe method overall,” said Kathy Simmonds, a clinical professor in the School of Nursing within the Bouvé College of Health Sciences.
A study out of Denmark examining 78,595 women using IUDs with levonorgestrel and 78,595 women who don’t use these devices found those using IUDs had a 40% higher chance of developing breast cancer.
While this sounds high, what this translates to for women in the United States is their breast cancer risk going from 1 in 204 to 1.4 in 204, which is important to put into consideration, experts stressed.
