Post-termination contraception: use of the Multiload Cu250.

Abstract

During a period of 27 months Multiload intrauterine devices were inserted immediately after suction evacuation of the uterus into 125 patients in two hospitals. Sixty-one patients were lost to follow-up despite careful explanation of the need to attend. The remaining 64 patients provided a total of 630 women months for analysis. Eleven patients requested removal of the Multiloads for various personal reasons. Four devices were spontaneously expelled, three in the first 2 months. Eight devices were removed on account of pain or bleeding and one because of infection. Five other patients were considered to have less severe uterine infection not requiring removal of the devices. These complications have to be viewed against those inherent in the procedure of termination: 4.4% pain or bleeding 3.6% uterine infection. Forty women are known to be continuing to wear the devices. They show no differences in terms of parity, gestation at the time of termination or degree of dilatation of the cervix at the time of termination from the other groups. One pregnancy occurred after 10 months of use. While acknowledging the deficiency of the study due to the high defaulter rate the immediate insertion of a Multiload at the time of termination of pregnancy can be considered as an acceptable method of contraception.