Best practices to minimize risk of infection with intrauterine device insertion

Intrauterine devices provide an extremely effective, long-term form of contraception that has the benefit of being reversible. Historically, the use of certain intrauterine devices was associated with increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. More recent evidence suggests that newer devices do not carry the same threat; however, certain risk factors can increase the possibility of infection.

To review the risk of infection with the insertion of intrauterine devices and recommend strategies to prevent infection.

The outcomes considered were the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, the impact of screening for bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia and gonorrhea; and the role of prophylactic antibiotics.

Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library on July 21, 2011, using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., intrauterine devices, pelvic inflammatory disease) and key words (e.g., adnexitis, endometritis, IUD). An etiological filter was applied in PubMed. The search was limited to the years 2000 forward. There were no language restrictions. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the web sites of national and international medical specialty societies.

The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care (Table). Recommendations 1. All women requesting an intrauterine device should be counselled about the small increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease in the first 20 days after insertion. (II-2A) 2. All women requesting an intrauterine device should be screened by both history and physical examination for their risk of sexually transmitted infection. Women at increased risk should be tested prior to or at the time of insertion; however, it is not necessary to delay insertion until results are returned. (II-2B) 3. Not enough current evidence is available to support routine screening for bacterial vaginosis at the time of insertion of an intrauterine device in asymptomatic women. (II-2C) 4. Routine use of prophylactic antibiotics is not recommended prior to intrauterine device insertion, although it may be used in certain high-risk situations. (I-C) 5. Standard practice includes cleansing the cervix and sterilizing any instruments that will be used prior to and during insertion of an intrauterine device. (III-C) 6. In treating mild to moderate pelvic inflammatory disease, it is not necessary to remove the intrauterine device during treatment unless the patient requests removal or there is no clinical improvement after 72 hours of appropriate antibiotic treatment. In cases of severe pelvic inflammatory disease, consideration can be given to removing the intrauterine device after an appropriate antibiotic regimen has been started. (I-B) 7. An intrauterine device is a safe, effective option for contraception in an HIV-positive woman. (I-B) 8. An intrauterine device can be considered a first-line contraceptive agent in adolescents. (I-A).