Ovarian pregnancy associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices

Four cases of ovarian pregnancy, occurring over a two-year period in the same hospital, are presented. Each case fulfills Spiegelberg's criteria. Each patient conceived with Cu-7 intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) in situ. Review of the literature reveals an apparent increase in the frequency of ovarian pregnancy associated with IUD's. This aspect of the problem, as well as the management of this unusual type of ectopic pregnancy, is discussed. The data available do not justify a conclusion that ovarian pregnancies are caused by IUD's. Unless future studies demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship, this may be merely an interesting coincidence. However, it seems that more than just coincidence is involved, even though the mechanism is unclear.