Table 2.
Survey participant opinions about IUD use (N=252)
| n (%) | |
|---|---|
| How interested are you in using an IUD?a | |
| Very interested | 15 (6.1) |
| A little interested | 50 (20.4) |
| Not sure | 51 (20.8) |
| Not interested | 129 (52.7) |
| Reasons for interestb | |
| It is very effective at preventing pregnancy | 84 (33.3) |
| It lasts for a long time | 75 (29.8) |
| No one would have to know I’m using it | 48 (19.1) |
| It is easy to use | 44 (17.5) |
| I don’t want to use birth control with hormones (for copper IUD) |
37 (14.7) |
| I would not have to think about or do anything before I have sex |
34 (13.5) |
| It would not get in the way of sex | 21 (8.3) |
| Reasons for disinterestb | |
| I don’t like the idea of something in my body | 116 (46.0) |
| It might hurt to get it put in | 62 (25.0) |
| A doctor or nurse has to put it in and remove it | 48 (19.1) |
| It does not keep you from getting STDs | 40 (15.9) |
| I don’t want to use birth control with hormones (for Mirena) | 18 (7.1) |
| I don’t need a method of birth control | 16 (6.3) |
| Side effects | |
| No periods | |
| Would be bothered enough to not use IUD | 65 (28.1) |
| Would be bothered, but would use IUD | 19 (8.2) |
| Would not be bothered | 64 (27.7) |
| Not sure | 83 (35.9) |
| Light bleeding between periods for 3 to 6 months | |
| Would be bothered enough to not use IUD | 73 (31.6) |
| Would be bothered, but would use IUD | 24 (10.4) |
| Would not be bothered | 58 (25.1) |
| Not sure | 76 (32.9) |
| Heavier periods and cramping | |
| Would be bothered enough to not use IUD | 119 (52.0) |
| Would be bothered, but would use IUD | 18 (7.9) |
| Would not be bothered | 31 (13.5) |
| Not sure | 61 (26.6) |
| Condom use with IUD | |
| More likely to use condoms | 72 (31.7) |
| Less likely to use condoms | 41 (18.1) |
| Condom use would not change | 114 (50.2) |
a
Seven respondents declined to answer; percentages calculated out of 245.
b
Percentages do not add to 100, since respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer.