Vaginal misoprostol aids in difficult intrauterine contraceptive removal: a report of three cases

Intrauterine devices are the most used long-acting reversible contraceptive method worldwide. Under normal circumstances, removal of an intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) is an uncomplicated procedure requiring gentle traction on the string.

We report three cases of nonvisible IUC strings where, following use of vaginal misoprostol, the IUC strings were visualized and the IUCs were removed intact with gentle traction.

The uterotonic and uterocontractile effects following vaginal misoprostol facilitated removal in three cases of nonvisible IUC strings. We suggest that clinicians consider including vaginal misoprostol alone or prior to planned repeat office or procedure-clinic interventions for nonvisible IUC strings.