Abstract

PIP: Alterations in the size, shape, and material composition or surface texture of IUDs, as well as the addition of medicaments, have been made to reduce bleeding, the most common side effect of intrauterine contraception. To determine if coating with a biocompatible hydrogel could diminish bleeding associated with the use of Spring Coils, these devices were randomly assigned to 464 women following an induced abortion; 241 women received the plain Spring Coil, 223 the Hydron-coated Spring Coil. The age/parity distribution and previous abortion experience of the 2 groups of women were almost identical. 1- and 2-year rates of pregnancy, expulsion, and removal for bleeding/pain were compared using life table analysis; differences between the 2 user groups were not significant. Menstrual pattern changes were also examined in terms of the women's perceptions of changes in their cycle length, amount of flow and duration, as well as episodes of intermenstrual bleeding. Only the increase in menstrual flow duration at 1 year follow-up was significantly lower among the Hydron-coated Spring Coil users than among women using the plain device. From the results of this study, it is unlikely that a modification to the surface material such as coating with hydrogel will significantly reduce bleeding associated with the use of the Spring Coil IUD.