Use of intrauterine device by nulliparous women. Prospective study and preliminary data

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study, that is still on the way, was to evaluate the negative effects of an intrauterine device, used for more than 2 years, on future fertility of young women who due to medical or personal reasons couldn't use hormonal contraceptives. METHODS: A prospective study was started in 1987 in a group of 515 nulliparous healthy women (age 20-30) using an intrauterine device (Nova T, Schering, Multiload Cu 275 Organon) as contraceptive method. Two hundred and twentyfour women wished to become pregnant following the IUD extraction. RESULTS: Within 12 months, 221 (98.7%) of them became pregnant demonstrating the harmlessness of the contraceptive method on future fertility. All pregnancies had a normal course, except one abortion at the 8th week of gestational age. There hadn't been pregnancies during the observation period, 25 (4.8%) women requested the IUD be removed before the end of the study because of side effects. DISCUSSION: IUD did not cause a reduction in fertility or an increase in ectopic pregnancy in our group of patient.