Hysteroscopic findings in complicated and non-complicated IUD users

The hysteroscopic findings in 100 IUD users have been evaluated. 50 women had no IUD-related problems and requested removal of the device, while the other 50 complained of either bleeding and/or pain or lost strings. Of the 29 cases with IUD-related bleeding and/or pain, hysteroscopy revealed malposition (n=6), partial expulsion (n=3), partial perforation (n=2), embedding (n=1), or disproportion (n=6). Disproportion presented as crumpling of the device in the uterine cavity or protrusion of the tip of the transverse arm inside the tubal ostia. Endometrial lesions were also more commonly seen in the study group than the control group, i.e., endometrial hyperplasia (n=8), endometrial polyps (n=8), intrauterine adhesions (n=5), and submucous fibroids (n=2). Of the 21 IUD patients with missing strings, there were previous failed trial of blind removal in 11 cases. Most lost IUDs were found inside the uterine cavity (81%) with curling and ascending strings. Partial perforation, abdominal translocation, and unnoticed complete expulsion were detected in 19% of the patients. Direct visualization of the endometrial cavity is invaluable in treating IUD users who complain of pain and/or bleeding and in locating and retrieving missing IUDs.