Risk of PID 5x Greater from Dalkon Shield Than from Other IUDs

Abstract

2 recent studies provide evidence that use of the Dalkon Shield creates a considerably greater risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) than does use of other types of IUD. Data from the Women's Health Study reveal that women who use the Dalkon are 5 times more likely than those who use other IUDs to be hospitalized for PID, while a Boston-based study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reports a 4-6 times higher risk. It is advised that women still using the Dalkon Shield have it removed. Table 1 provides risk estimates of hospitalization for PID by type of contraceptive used. The Women's Health study included 622 women aged 18-44 admitted to hospitals with an initial episode of PID. The data for the Boston study was obtained from interviews with 155 women, all of whom were premenopausal, under 45, and not pregnant. When analyzed by type of IUD, the data strongly confirm the findings of the other study.