IUD nomenclature: new WHO statement
March 2021. Several terms and acronyms are used to describe the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device: ‘LNG-IUD’, ‘Hormonal-IUD’, and ‘LNG-IUS’. The use of different acronyms to describe a method category can lead to confusion among governments, procurers, academics, advocates, providers and users. Consistency in contraceptive nomenclature supports country-level efforts to introduce different methods and help ensure adequate supplies.
Acknowledging the need to discuss and reach a consensus on the preferred nomenclature for the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, WHO proposes the use of the following terms:
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