Ovarian pregnancy and IUCD use in a defined complete population

During 1968-82, 759 histologically verified ectopic pregnancies occurred in Iceland. Retrospective analysis revealed that 26 of these were ovarian pregnancies. All but three of the ovarian pregnancies occurred in parous women. In 21 cases (80.8%), there was an association with the use of an IUCD at the time of conception. There was a significant difference (p less than 0.001) between the 10.7% rate of ovarian implantation in ectopic pregnancies in IUCD users and the 0.9% rate in non users. Although ovarian pregnancy is rare, the observed incidence in our material was nearly five times as high as previously described. Women with ectopic pregnancy while using an IUCD appear to be at significantly higher risk of having an ovarian implantation.