Do women know which IUD they are wearing?

Family Planning clinic patients wearing IUDs were asked the type they were wearing, and the actual type was identified in the pelvic examination. About 19 percent of 268 women wearing four types of IUDs did not correctly identify the type that they had. Incorrect or unknown perception that might be a medical risk was held by more than half of the wearers of the Dalkon Shield. Each user of an IUD should be given a card stating IUD type, date of insertion, date of reinsertion if applicable, and instructions in case of complications. The problem of incorrect identification may be exacerbated as the number of devices increases and with the trend toward use of medicated IUDs which must be periodically removed and replaced. Comparable studies in different populations of IUD users are needed.