Retained Lippes Loop Intrauterine Device (IUD) in a Woman With Post-menopausal Bleeding and Chronic Pelvic Pain

Forgotten intrauterine devices (IUDs), particularly those retained for decades, can lead to complications in postmenopausal women, including bleeding and chronic pelvic pain. The Lippes Loop IUD, widely used from the 1960s to the 1980s, is now rarely encountered. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with a forgotten Lippes Loop IUD who presented with chronic pelvic pain and postmenopausal bleeding. The patient was uncertain whether her IUD had been spontaneously expelled or removed. During a laparoscopic hysterectomy performed for postmenopausal bleeding, an intra-pelvic Lippes Loop IUD was discovered embedded in the cul-de-sac and successfully removed. The patient tolerated the procedure well, and her postoperative period was uneventful. Her symptoms resolved completely at follow-up. Removal of a retained IUD is highly recommended, particularly in postmenopausal women. Patients with an IUD presenting with postmenopausal bleeding and pelvic pain should be closely evaluated. We emphasize the importance of adequate counseling, regular follow-up for IUD users, and timely removal once the device has expired or is no longer indicated."