Premium
Length of the endometrial cavity and intrauterine contraceptive device expulsion
Author(s) -
Bahamondes M. Valeria,
Monteiro Ilza,
Canteiro Renata,
Fernandes Arlete dos Santos,
Bahamondes Luis
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.10.013
Subject(s) - medicine , levonorgestrel , uterine cavity , gynecology , intrauterine device , obstetrics , family planning , population , uterus , research methodology , environmental health
Abstract Objective To evaluate the correlation between endometrial cavity length and expulsion rate in acceptors of the TCu380A intrauterine device (IUD) or the levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS). Methods The study included 235 nulligravida and parous women who received a TCu380A IUD or LNG‐IUS and who were observed for up to 1 year. The length of the uterine cavity was measured by uterine sounding and ultrasonography. Results The endometrial cavity was shorter than 3.2 cm in 2 LNG‐IUS users and at least 3.2 cm long in 87 LNG‐IUS users, with expulsions occurring in 0 (0.0%) and 2 (2.3%) of these women, respectively ( P > 0.999). Among the TCu380A IUD users, the endometrial cavity was shorter than 3.6 cm in 63 women and at least 3.6 cm long in 83 women, with expulsions occurring in 3 (4.8%) and 5 (6.0%) of these women, respectively ( P > 0.999). The mean length of the endometrial cavity—evaluated via ultrasonography—among the 10 women whose devices were expelled was 3.9 ± 0.3 cm, compared with 3.9 ± 0.0 cm in those who retained their devices ( P = 0.799). Conclusion The present results do not support the hypothesis of an association between uterine length and risk of intrauterine contraceptive expulsion.