WHO statement on levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device nomenclature

Several acronyms are in use to describe the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, a widely used long-term reversible contraceptive (LARC) method. These acronyms include ‘LNG-IUD’, ‘Hormonal-IUD’, and ‘LNG-IUS’. The purpose of this document is to align these various terminologies in their use so countries are consistent when developing Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), ministry of health policy and programmatic documentation, training guidelines, and other family planning documents at all levels of service provision.

It is important to select and align a single term. Consistency in contraceptive nomenclature supports country-level efforts to introduce different methods and help ensure adequate supplies. 

The details to the document are in the links provided below:

The publication is now online in IRIS at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/340378/9789240021730-eng.pdf

Item description: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/340378