Intrauterine devices as an exposure risk for urinary tract infections: A scoping review

The intrauterine device (IUD) as a potential source of uro-gynecologic infection has raised concern for decades. While a causal link between IUD and pelvic inflammatory disease has been refuted, the relationship between IUDs and urinary tract infections (UTIs) remains incompletely understood.

We used a PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library search strategy to identify studies evaluating UTI occurrence and microbial signatures among women exposed to IUD. We evaluated the question, "what is currently known about the IUD as an exposure risk for UTIs?"

Nine studies met inclusion criteria and were summarized in this structured, scoping review. Studies to date have not reported a significant association between IUD exposue and UTI occurence. While all nine studies acknowledged the breadth of contraceptive methods, none evaluated the impact of different IUD types (i.e., copper vs. hormone-eluting) on UTI incidence.

Small sample sizes and inconsistent UTI definitions limit the current literature. Future studies should rigorously define the UTI phenotype and evaluate the association of UTI with IUD exposure accounting for known covariates.