Having an intrauterine device (IUD) fitted for contraception could have the added benefit of lowering your cervical cancer risk, new research suggests.
The large-scale study, published in the journal ‘Obstetrics and Gynecology’, analysed the cervical cancer rates of more than 12,000 women around the world.
It found that women who’d been fitted with an IUD were 36% less likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer compared to those who had not.
According to Cancer Research UK, more than 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year.
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An IUD, sometimes called a coil, is a small t-shaped device inserted into the womb that prevents pregnancy by stopping the sperm and egg from surviving in the womb or fallopian tubes.
The researchers analysed patient data from 16 previous studies on cervical cancer in order to draw their conclusions.
They noted that it is unclear why IUDs may be associated with lower cervical cancer rates.
“At this point we can only hypothesise about how an IUD might decrease cervical cancer risk,” lead study author Victoria Cortessis, of the University of Southern California, told Reuters.
She said IUDs might help the body fight human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, by triggering an immune response.
The doctors believe this immune response could occur due to the fact that cervical tissue may be irritated during the insertion of the device.
However, more research is needed to determine the true cause of the possible link.
The researchers acknowledged that there were some limitations to their study: primarily the fact that some data was taken before the HPV vaccine became available.
The vaccine was first rolled out in the UK in 2008 and is now free on the NHS to girls from the age of 12 up to their 18th birthday. It is routinely offered to girls when they are in year eight at school, although older women can pay to have it privately.
Because of this, the findings may be more relevant to women over the age of 30 than younger women, as they are less likely to have had the vaccine.
The researchers stressed that having an IUD fitted is not a guarantee against cervical cancer and more research is needed in this area.
Contraception Myths Explained
Myth(01 of11)
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1 in 2 women believe that all types of contraception require you to do something regularly to be effective (credit:Alamy)
Fact(02 of11)
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"Some long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the implant or intrauterine contraceptives do not require regular administration in order to be effective."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(03 of11)
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Almost 1 in 5 women don’t realise they can get pregnant if they miss a pill (credit:Alamy)
Fact(04 of11)
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"Missing a pill can significantly impact the risk of becoming pregnant particularly if you have unprotected sex around the time of the hormone free interval. If you do miss a pill, follow the instructions on your packet of pills."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(05 of11)
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"Around 1 in 4 women believe that long acting reversible contraception (LARCs) are permanent and irreversible contraception solutions." (credit:Alamy)
Fact(06 of11)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. For example once an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed, there is no evidence to suggest a delay in the woman's fertility return."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(07 of11)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women believe that all contraception requires a monthly visit to their Healthcare professional (HCP) (credit:Alamy)
Fact(08 of11)
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"That's not the case - for example following the fitting of an intrauterine contraceptive, women should return to their healthcare professional for a check at about 6 weeks and then they don't need to make another appointment until it needs changing."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Fact(09 of11)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. There is no evidence of delay in return of fertility when an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed. There could be a delay of up to one year in the return of fertility after a woman stops having the contraceptive injection."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(10 of11)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women think that long term methods all need surgical insertion into the uterus. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(11 of11)
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"The intrauterine system (IUS) and intrauterine device (IUD) are inserted into the uterus. Injectable contraceptives are however given by injection either into the large muscle in the bottom or in the upper arm and the contraceptive implant is fitted just under the skin on the inside of the upper arm."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)