Intrauterine contraceptive device
Updates to Article Attributes
Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) (also known colloquially as the coil) are one of the most frequently used methods of contraception throughout the world. It prevents pregnancy by:
- thinning the endometrial lining
- preventing sperm motility
- preventing implantation
There are two main types of intrauterine contraceptive devices:
- non-hormonal metallic
- copper: pure copper or alloyed with gold/silver
- stainless steel: a.k.a. Chinese ring, manufacture ceased in 2000
- hormonal (e.g. Mirena®)
Terminology
The preferred abbreviation for an intrauterine contraceptive device is IUCD. Occasionally IUD is employed instead, however, this shortening is disliked by specialists as it is also used as an abbreviation for intrauterine death.
Complications
- spontaneous IUCD expulsion: passage in or through the external cervical os
-
IUCD displacement:
- abnormal rotation or inferior position in the lower uterine segment or cervix.
- IUCD position >3-4 mm has been associated with an increased likelihood of IUCD related symptoms, such as pain and bleeding 2,9 as well as expulsion 10 - although further studies have shown that most low IUCDs migrate to the fundus after a few months 6
- asymptomatic displacement of a hormone-releasing IUCD (e.g. Mirena®) may not affect its efficacy in prevention of pregnancy, according to some studies 6-8; in contrast, for copper IUCDs, displacement from the fundal position is associated with higher rates of inadvertent pregnancy 7
- IUCD embedment: penetration into the myometrium, but not through the serosa
- IUCD perforation: penetration through myometrium and serosa
- three-fold increased risk of generalised pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- pregnancy-associated with IUCD
- associated pregnancy with spontaneous miscarriage
- IUCD retention
- IUCD fragmentation
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
- all IUCDs are radiopaque 6
- most often 'T-shaped' or at times seen as a serpiginous structure
Ultrasound
- preferred modality for assessing an IUCD
- properly-placed IUCD may be visualised as a straight hyperechoic structure in the endometrial canal of the uterus and the arms of the IUD extending laterally at the uterine fundus
- often causes posterior acoustic shadowing
- distance >4 mm is more often associated with symptoms such as bleeding and pain, as well as with a higher risk of expulsion or displacement ref although most low IUCDs migrate to the fundus in a few months 6
- in cases where it becomes embedded, a part of it may be visualised within the myometrium
3D ultrasound may be useful to help visualise the IUCD location (especially with serpiginous IUCDs) 2.
CT
- hyperattenuating structures with metallic density
MRI
The MRI compatibility of IUCDs may be of concern to women undergoing MRI examinations. Generally speaking, stainless steel devices are unsafe and non-metallic devices are considered safe. Copper devices have been found to be conditionally safe at 1.5 and 3.0 T 11.
History and etymology
The forerunner to the intrauterine contraceptive device was first introduced by the German physician, Richard Richter of Waldenburg, in 1909 4,5. His device comprised a loop of silkworm gut placed into the endometrial cavity 5.
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