THE STEREOTYPES – ‘MEN NEED TO BE IN CONTROL’ (INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES (IUCDS))

An IUCD invests much control in the doctor. Maybe it has been discussed, perhaps even with both parties. All the same, it is a foreign body. It is hard, metallic, and considered an abortifacient by some people, as well as being seen as a possible source of disease. Men can frequently feel threads and worry about dislodging it. One man said, T knew when she had a coil in because I could taste the metal when I kissed her.’ There is often disbelief that something so tiny can work. When a small sample of men were asked to rank contraceptive methods in order of efficiency, all men put IUCDs bottom of the list.

Some of the anxiety about the method may reflect the general awareness of the safety of modern contraceptive pills and the threat of pelvic infection, even although that is a small risk in multipara who are in a stable relationship. Many people are well informed and may wish to discuss the risks of specific infections such as chlamydia. Despite reassurance one can hear a certain ‘I told you so’ attitude from men towards the coil if complications arise. This can be interpreted as being an expression of healthy caution about a contraceptive method that asks for such a degree of trust in the doctor from the woman and her partner.

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