Cervical laceration at IUD insertion--incidence and risk factors

Incidence and risk factors of cervical laceration at IUD insertion are studied as the one remaining IUD insertion-related rare event using the multi-center IUD database developed by Family Health International. Two-hundred-ten lacerations were reported from 11,646 insertions (1.8 per 100 insertions) performed between 1977 and 1987. The incidence was twice as high in insertions with the copper devices and the multiload devices as in those with the Loop devices. Nulliparous women were found to be at an increased risk compared to multiparous women. Use of a tenaculum at insertion may also be a risk factor for laceration, but this finding needs to be confirmed by future studies. Data were not adequate to examine the effect of insertor's experience on the incidence of cervical lacerations at insertion.