Intrauterine devices may have another surprising health benefit for the women who have opted for it. A recent review study which had set out to shed light on the relationship between intrauterine devices and ovarian cancer have found that IUDs could be playing a role in reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.
The study brings to notice another positive non-contraceptive benefit that can be associated with the use of IUDs as a contraceptive option. Previous studies have discovered that the use of these contraception devices can be linked to decreased frequency of invasive cervical cancer in women, as well as a reduced risk of endometrial cancer. [1] [2]
Published in the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal online, the article titled, ‘Intrauterine Device Use and Ovarian Cancer Risk’ is a systematic review and meta-analysis of data. The literature was narrowed to case-control and cohort studies which collected individual-level data about IUD use and ovarian cancer diagnosis.
The study was led by a team of cancer and family planning doctors from the University of Colorado. While the factors affecting this positive association between ovarian cancer and IUD use are not clearly defined, the authors believe that hormones or immune environment may be responsible. [3]
