A recent study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology medical journal reveals that the IUD (intrauterine device) contraceptive is still effective even after the current recommended life span of the product. As of right now, the hormonal IUD (there is another version of the same device with no hormones) is approved for five years of use at a time. The study conducted on the subject proves the hormonal IUD to remain effective for up to seven or eight years.

Researchers followed 263 women using the Mirena hormonal IUD over the course of 36 months, following up every 6 months. All the devices in the study were within three months of their supposed expiration, but after three years of using the “expired” IUDs, there was only one pregnancy among the 263 women in the study. This result is consistent with the failure rate of the Mirena even when it is used during the recommended five year period. The researchers also conducted the study on implant contraceptives such as Implanon or Nexplanon, following 237 women under similar circumstances as the Mirena study, and there was not a single pregnancy in that study, even after using the expired product for three more years.

The research is still preliminary, but scientists are moving forward with it to try and get the recommended effective use period extended officially. Longer lasting devices will benefit the women using them by lowering individual medical costs for the timely maintenance which would be less frequent. While the results shown in this study are promising, you should not extend the use of any contraceptive device you may be using without first consulting your physician.