Forgotten intrauterine contraceptive device: a rare cause of infertility

Worldwide, Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs) are among the most commonly used reversible methods of contraception. This is particularly true in developing countries. Insertion of IUD may be interval or postpartum. The concept of early postpartum IUD insertion has been investigated since the 1960s and has become accepted worldwide, even though IUDs inserted in the immediate postpartum appear to have a higher expulsion rate. Several complications associated with IUD use have been documented, for instance, the association between IUD use and pelvic inflammatory disease or salpingitis has been demonstrated in several studies. Contamination at the time of insertion has been suggested to be responsible for this risk of infection. We report here an unusual case of early postpartum IUD insertion without the patient's knowledge or adequate counselling sixteen years prior to presentation with secondary infertility.