11. Use of the Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System in Adolescent Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are safe and highly effective methods of contraception as well as a reliable means of menstrual suppression. Over 100 million women use IUDs worldwide and yet there is limited information on their use in women undergoing chemotherapy despite the unmet need for contraception and menstrual suppression in this population. Avoidance of IUDs in this population is secondary to concern regarding infectious morbidity such as an increased risk of pelvic infection. However, it has limited but demonstrated efficacy in other immunocompromised populations such as women with HIV and women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).