GyneFIX. The frameless intrauterine contraceptive implant--an update for interval, emergency and postabortal contraception.

Abstract

This article reviews the clinical experience with the GyneFix intrauterine implant system for interval, emergency and post-abortal contraception. The relatively high rate of unintended pregnancies and abortions in the world signifies that greater access to contraception is necessary. Unwanted pregnancies and abortions could be avoided by widening the range of effective and acceptable contraceptive methods for use in situations where current methods are far from optimal. High effectiveness, protection against sexual transmitted infections, long duration of action, reversibility and safety are some of the most important attributes of contraceptives valued by women. The development of the frameless intrauterine device is a response to the need to develop contraceptives with high user continuation rate. GyneFix has the lowest failure rate of all copper IUDs currently available. Its performance is further optimised by the atraumatic frameless design which minimises the side effects and discomfort experienced with conventional IUDs. GyneFix could, therefore, be a useful new contraceptive option in looking at ways to reduce the number of unwanted pregnacies and induced abortions.