Objective: To evaluate the rate and pattern of complications associated with use of the Copper T 380A
intrauterine device (IUD) among adolescents. Methods: A prospective comparative study of women eligible
for IUD insertion who attended the family planning clinic of Sohag University Hospital, Egypt, between July 1,
2008 and December 31, 2010. The participants were categorized as adolescents or adults. The Copper T 380A
IUD was inserted in all participants and follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 3, and 6 months. Odds ratio and
χ2 square tests were used to compare the rates of complications at each visit. Results: Of 1512 patients eligible
for IUD insertion, 852 met the inclusion criteria: 281 adolescents and 571 adults. The rates of pain, bleeding,
displacement, expulsion, and removal of IUDs were significantly higher in adolescents (Pb0.05). The rates of
these complications were high in adolescents younger than 16 years; the rates then decreased with age and
became comparable with the adult rates at 18 years of age. Conclusions: IUD-associated complications were
high in adolescents up to the age of 17 years. Our data suggest that adolescents younger than 18 years of age
should be counseled carefully before IUD insertion, and examined more frequently to detect displacement or
expulsion of the device