INTRODUCTION The intrauterine device is a form of contraception with a long duration of action and few systemic side effects. Migration into the abdominal cavity may occur early or years after insertion giving rise to bowel obstruction, perforation, ischemia, mesenteric injury, strictures or fistulae. Colocolic fistula formation is a rare but serious complication of intrauterine device migratio...

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intrauterine system releasing 20μg levonorgestrel per 24 hours in the longterm treatment of heavy menstrual blood loss in women unrelated to intrauterine pathology. Methods: Sixty parous women aged 35-48 years with recurrent menorrhagia participated in this study. Women were followed-up for at least 12 months (12-16 months). The effect on me...

PROBLEM There is little information regarding the impact of the intrauterine device on immune parameters of the upper female reproductive tract related to risk of HIV acquisition. METHOD OF STUDY We collected cervical and endometrial samples from women using the hormonal intrauterine device to study its effects on endocervical cytokines/chemokine concentrations, phenotypic markers of T cells,...

Uterine perforation is an uncommon complication of intrauterine device insertion, with an incidence of one in 1,000 insertions. Perforation may be complete, with the device totally in the abdominal cavity, or partial, with the device to varying degrees within the uterine wall. Some studies show a positive association between lactation and perforation, but a causal relationship has not been esta...

OBJECTIVE To assess various methods of management of actinomyces-like organisms associated with intrauterine devices. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 173 patients with intrauterine device-associated actinomyces- like organisms detected on Pap smear was performed. The patients were managed by IUD removal with or without antibiotic therapy, antibiotic therapy alone, or no treatment at a...