Erosion of an intrauterine contraceptive device into the urinary bladder: A case report

Intrauterine contraceptive devices may rarely erode into the urinary bladder, usually shortly after insertion. This case report describes the presentation and management of a copper-bearing intrauterine device which had eroded into the bladder. The patient presented with dysuria, dyspareunia and groin pain. The device had been inserted 10 years previously following a termination of pregnancy. A bladder stone had formed on the arm of the T-shaped device. The calculus was successfully lasered transurethrally and the intrauterine device was removed transvaginally. A urinary catheter was left on free drainage for four weeks and a follow-up cystogram showed no leak. Most complications related to intrauterine devices occur within days or weeks of insertion but in this case the complications presented 10 years later.