Longer life span for Copper T 380 A.

Copper T 380 A, the intrauterine device (IUD), has now been clinically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have a longer lifespan. According to a population council news release, the device, which originally had a 4-year term duration, has been found out to be effective for 6 years. The extension was based on data from a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and submitted to the FDA by the Population Council, developer of the IUD. This extension will undoubtedly have many advantages, as the less frequently the device is replaced, the fewer the risks of pelvic inflammatory disease, perforation, and other complications that occur mainly soon after insertion. More so, less frequent insertions will cost less and be more convenient. The president of the Population Council, Mr. George Zeidenstein, welcomed the FDA action and said "when we licensed Cynopharma (the sole distributors of the product) to introduce the Copper T 380A IUD in the US 3 years ago, we knew it was a superior, long-acting reversible method that would expand contraceptive options. The fact that this IUD is approved for 6 years makes it an even more attractive option for women choosing a contraceptive method."