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Why were some IUDs removed from the market in the 1970s and 1980s?
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birth control
A 28-day package of birth control pills.
In the 1970s and 1980s, several intrauterine devices (IUDs) were removed from the market primarily due to severe health complications and inadequate safety testing. The most prominent example was the Dalkon Shield, which was linked to a high incidence of pelvic inflammatory infections, uterine perforations, spontaneous septic abortions, and at least four deaths.1
The removal of these devices was driven by several critical factors:
- Safety Concerns: The Dalkon Shield’s design included a multifilament wick that allowed vaginal bacteria to enter the sterile uterus, leading to serious infections and, in some cases, sterility.1
- Inadequate Testing: Because IUDs were not classified as drugs at the time, they were not subject to the rigorous pre-market testing required by the Food and Drug Administration.1
- False Claims: Manufacturers often utilized misleading marketing, including exaggerated claims regarding the device's safety and effectiveness, while failing to disclose conflicts of interest regarding the device's development.1
Following widespread litigation and evidence of these complications, the A.H. Robins Company suspended sales of the Dalkon Shield in 1974 and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1985 to manage the thousands of claims filed by affected users.1