Nulliparous women, IUD and pelvic infection

Two copper-releasing IUDs were compared in a randomized study performed simultaneously in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Pelvic infections were carefully observed and the IUDs removed when these were diagnosed. The overall removal rate because of infection was low during the year. The rates were the same with each device overall and in different age and parity groups. The rate was higher in women under 25, in nulliparae and primiparae but lower in the 25-29 age group, in those over 35, and in women having two or more children. The insertion was performed always during menstruation or few days after. It seems that the removal rate because of infection reflected the sexual behaviour of women more than the parity or the use of an IUD.