Abstract

PIP: Considerable progress has been made in the past few years in the field of intrauterine contraception. IUDs are not as effective as oral contraception (OC); their side effects and complications, however, are less serious than those from OC. IUD complications include: 1) uterine pain, in about 10-20% of IUD wearers; 2) bleeding, the most common complaint; 3) dysmenorrhea; 4) uterine perforation, the most serious but also the rarest complication; 5) pelvic infection; 6) necessity of removal in 10-20% of wearers for a variety of medical reasons; 7) expulsion, in about 1-13% of wearers. It must also be remembered that, however seldom, pregnancy can occur with IUD in situ, and that 1-10% of these pregnancies are ectopic. Absolute contraindications to the use of an IUD are pelvic infection, uterine cavity malformation, serious menstruation disorders, possibility of initial pregnancy or of malignant genital neoplasia, and, above all, nulliparity.