Profile of Clients Requesting For Removal of Intrauterine Devices in Jos, Nigeria

Background: Intrauterine contraceptive devices are commonly used reversible methods of contraception in Jos, Nigeria. There is dearth of information on the effect of the IUD on client weight during the period of use. It is expected that the increased bleeding disorder associated with the intrauterine device may predispose to anaemia and some degree of weight loss. Method: A retrospective study of all patients having their previously inserted IUDs removed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Northern Nigeria, between January 1999 and December 2004. Results: The mean (± SD) age and parity of the clients was 32.9 ± 6.9 years and 4.0 ± 2.2 respectively. All the women were married and none of them was a nullipara. The TCu-380A IUD was used in 99.3% of the cases. The women were using the method for a mean of 51.5 ± 51.0 months or 4.3 years, and the commonest indication for removal was the desire for another pregnancy in 30.7% of the clients, followed by back pain in 12.6%. The mean weight (± SD) of the women at the insertion of the IUD was 66.67 ± 13.95 kg and the mean weight at the removal of the device was 69.3 ± 14.9 kg. The average weight gain with IUD use was therefore 2.6 kg. Conclusion: The observed weight increase in IUD users is probably occasioned by the annulment of the fear of pregnancy, and the tendency of women to gain weight with increasing age.