I.U.D. METHOD APPROVED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31090, 20 June 1966, Page 2

I.U.D. METHOD APPROVED

(Ntte Zealand Preet Association) WELLINGTON, June 19. The New Zealand Family Planning Association will approve a new method of fertility control and family spacing as a standard clinical practice.

The _ Dominion president, Dr. A. M. Bush, of Auckland, said that the medical advisory committee of the association considered the method had received adequate clinical trial, and was suitable to be used in clinics so long as a fully qualified gynaecologist was willing to act as consultant. “We discussed the question at our last conference, two years ago, but felt that there had been’ insufficient experience in its use in New Zealand to recommend introduction,” she said. “I.U.D. (Intra-Uterine-eontraception) has been in use overseas for some four years, but it is only over the last two years that we have carried out sufficient trials to

enable us to recommend its general use.” On oral contraceptives. Dr. Bush said that these were acceptable to the association but the medical committee considered it very important that patients should have the opportunity of discussing their state of health fully with their doctor, when their prescription is renewed so that it could be determined whether any side effects were being experienced.