The Dalkon Shield was introduced in the 1970s as a new, improved form of birth control. The device was touted as safer and more effective than other methods of contraception, and it quickly gained popularity among women of childbearing age. However, it wasn’t long before the dangers of the Dalkon Shield became apparent.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the history of the Dalkon Shield and the dangers of using this device.
What was the Dalkon Shield?
The Dalkon Shield was introduced in the early 1970s as a new and improved form of intrauterine contraception. The device was made of plastic and had several small coils, or ‘wires’, attached. These wires were designed to pierce the cervix and prevent the fertilised egg from implantation. The Dalkon Shield was also supposed to be easier to insert and remove than other IUDs on the market.
Unfortunately, the Dalkon Shield turned out to be anything but safe. It was linked to several serious health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease, septic abortion, ectopic pregnancy, and even death. In some cases, the device wires would pierce the uterine wall, resulting in severe internal bleeding.
The Dalkon Shield was eventually pulled from the market in 1974, but not before causing untold suffering for thousands of women.
What are the dangers of using the Dalkon Shield?
Many women who used the Dalkon Shield experienced pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, septic abortions, and even death. The Dalkon Shield is also linked to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies.
While the exact mechanism by which the Dalkon Shield causes these problems is not known, it is thought that the device may allow bacteria to enter the uterus and fallopian tubes, leading to infection.
In addition, the Dalkon Shield may also act as a foreign body, causing an inflammatory reaction in the reproductive organs.
As a result, women using the Dalkon Shield are at an increased risk for serious health problems.
How did the Dalkon Shield work?
The Dalkon Shield was a small, T-shaped device that was inserted into the uterus. The device worked by creating a barrier between the ovum and sperm, thus preventing fertilisation from taking place. The Dalkon Shield was made of a flexible material that allowed it to be easily inserted into the uterus.
The device was also equipped with a string that ran through the centre of the device, which allowed it to be easily removed from the body.
What were the benefits of using the Dalkon Shield?
There were many benefits touted by those who advocated for using the Dalkon Shield. These benefits included its ease of use, affordability, and effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
Why was the Dalkon Shield recalled?
The Dalkon Shield was recalled due to the numerous injuries and deaths associated with its use. In total, there were over 300 reported cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, 100 reported cases of septic abortions, and 18 reported deaths linked to the use of the Dalkon Shield. The Dalkon Shield was a plastic intrauterine device used as a contraceptive method. It was manufactured by the A.H. Robins company and was first released in the 1970s
By 1974, approximately 2.5 million women had received the Dalkon intrauterine device. However, soon after its release, reports began to surface of serious complications associated with its use. As a result, as many as 200,000 women made claims against the A.H. Robins company, mostly related to claims associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and loss of fertility. In 1985, the Dalkon Shield was finally recalled from the market.
How did the Dalkon Shiloh become so popular?
The DalkanShield became very popular due in part to its affordability and ease of use. In addition, many women were eager to try a new method of birth control that did not require them to take hormones or undergo surgery.