Jul 15, 2011 9:00 PM

Gallery: Contraceptive Comeback: The Maligned IUD Gets a Second Chance

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__Mirena__ __2001-present__ When the Mirena first hit the US market, so few women were using IUDs that many doctors didn't even know how to insert them. Today, the devices are recognized as safe, and 2 million US women have a Mirena. Photo: Jamie Chung; IUD Courtesy of Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum/Case Western Reserve University
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__Paragard__ __1988-present__ Available starting in 1988, the ParaGard had sluggish sales throughout the 1990s. It's more popular now—possibly because it's the only copper IUD sold in the US and it's considerably cheaper than its hormone- releasing competitor. Photo: Jamie Chung; IUD Courtesy of Teva Women's Health, INC.

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__Gynekoil 1960-early 1970__ Also known as the Margulies Spiral or the Perma Spiral, the Gynekoil was the first plastic IUD in the US. The rigid tail was meant to make it easier for women to check that the device was in place, but it also caused pain for male partners. Photo: Jamie Chung; IUD Courtesy of Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum/Case Western Reserve University
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__Lippes Loop 1964-1986__ Before the Dalkon Shield, this was the most popular IUD on the US market. But manufacturer Ortho Pharmaceutical stopped selling it, which inventor Jack Lippes blamed on poor sales and fallout from the Dalkon Shield debacle. Photo: Jamie Chung; IUD Courtesy of Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum/Case Western Reserve University

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__Cu-7 1974-1986__ The Dalkon Shield wasn't the only IUD to spur lawsuits. The Cu-7 ("Cu" is copper), made by Monsanto subsidiary G. D. Searle, caused problems as well. It was linked to ectopic pregnancy, perforation of the uterus, and pelvic inflammation. Photo: Jamie Chung; IUD Courtesy of Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum/Case Western Reserve University
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__Saf-t-coil__ __1965-1984__ One of the oldest IUDs, the Saf-T-Coil was also one of the least expensive and easiest and safest to insert (a strawlike inserter minimized contamination). But by 1982, the device only had 5 percent of the IUD market and the maker killed it. Photo: Jamie Chung; IUD Courtesy of Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum/Case Western Reserve University

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__Dalkon Shield 1971-1974__ The clawlike appendages that kept the Dalkon Shield in place made removal painful and could perforate the uterus. The Shield also caused cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and spontaneous septic abortion. Photo: Jamie Chung; IUD Courtesy of Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum/Case Western Reserve University

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