Long term use of inert intrauterine contraceptive devices in 94 women in Israel
Dafni, L.; Tamir, A.; Spenser, T.; Spenser, S.
British Journal of General Practice the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners 42(363): 423-425
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0960-1643 PMID: 1466921 Document Number: 331288
A retrospective study of 94 Israeli women who had worn an inert IUD for 5-19 years was made from records in a family practice including 1 Arab village, 2 Jewish coops, and 3 Jewish kibutzim. The IUDs, 74 Lippes Loops and 26 Saf-T-Coils, were inserted at a mean age of 34 years and at mean parities of 3-6. Removals for an IUD-related event, such as bleeding, pain, vaginal discharge, broken IUD or positive cervical smear, were very common in the first 60 months, less so between 60 and 108 months, and even less common up to 168 months. After 168 months only 1 was removed for a medical event at 226 months. Of the 94 first IUDs, 27 were in place between 5 and 19 years. 20 were removed for bleeding or pain between 5 and 9 years, and only 4 between 10 and 19 years. 50 women complained of side effects, but only 32 requested removal. There was 1 spontaneous expulsion at 8 years, 2 intrauterine pregnancies at 60 and 82 months, and 1 case of pelvic inflammatory disease treated without removal and 3 broken IUDS. 2 IUDS were difficult to remove, one requiring curettage. 11 of the 14 women who requested removal were known to have conceived within 9 months. These data, and those cited in the discussion, suggest that the long-term safety of inert IUDs should be re-examined.