Elective removal of an intrauterine device
Strickler, R.C.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 118(9): 1028; 1031
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4409 PMID: 647582 Document Number: 128677
It has been established that IUDs are best inserted in the first 10 days of the menstrual cycle since the risk of interrupting pregnancy is minimal and induced bleeding is masked. It should also be stressed that the early follicular phase of the cycle is the time to remove an IUD. In a case study involving a 24-year old nulligravid woman who wore a Cu-7 IUD for 14 months and had regular cycles, the IUD was electively removed on the 26th day of the cycle. Spotting occurred for 2 days but on the 52nd day of the cycle pregnancy was confirmed. It is possible that the woman would have become pregnant with the IUD in place, but it is also possible that the premature removal of the IUD permitted implantation of the embryo late in the luteal phase. It is possible that the IUD removal created an endometrial injury and thus encouraged a favorable implantation site. Although it is speculative that IUD removal in the luteal phase may promote embryo implantation, to avoid pregnancy, the IUD should be removed during the first 10 days of the menstrual cycle.