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Case Reports
. 2025 Apr 17;17(4):e82444.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.82444. eCollection 2025 Apr.

Retention of a Copper T380A Intrauterine Device for 29 Years in a 64-Year-Old Female With Postmenopausal Bleeding

Mia Glickman  1 , Jessica Cohen  2 , Parvathi Perumareddi  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Retention of a Copper T380A Intrauterine Device for 29 Years in a 64-Year-Old Female With Postmenopausal Bleeding

Mia Glickman et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are widely utilized, long-acting reversible contraceptives with established guidelines for timely removal. Prolonged IUD retention into the postmenopausal period is an uncommon phenomenon but may have various effects on the endometrium. We present the case of a 64-year-old female who presented with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) and was incidentally found to have a copper T380A IUD retained in utero for 29 years. The IUD was removed without complications, and her bleeding resolved following removal. However, endometrial biopsy revealed hyperplasia without atypia. Although retention of the IUD posed no major complications for this patient, it is unknown whether its presence contributed to her presentation of PMB. Potential adverse effects and complications of prolonged IUD use are also important to consider and are discussed therein. A brief review of case reports highlighting the outcomes of prolonged IUD retention is also provided.

Keywords: contraception literacy; copper intrauterine device; evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding; healthcare literacy; postmenopausal bleeding.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Sagittal and transverse transvaginal ultrasound images revealing the presence of the retained intrauterine device
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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