[Relation between the incidence of ectopic pregnancy and the use of intrauterine devices]

The relationship between the incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) and the use of IUD was examined by the method of analytical epidemiological study. 10,843 women of child-bearing age from the west district of Beijing were investigated. The conclusions were: (1) The incidence of EP in IUD users was 0.91/1,000 women year; and the EP incidence in women not using any contraceptives was 2.23/1,000 women year. (2) The incidence of EP in women with IUD inserted within 2 years was significantly higher than that in women using IUD longer than 2 years, that is 5.64/1,000 women year and 0.47/1,000 women year respectively. (3) The probability of suffering from EP for accidental pregnancy in IUD users was 4.84%, which was much higher than that of women not using any contraceptives (0.20%). (4) The risk of EP for IUD users with pelvic inflammatory disease was 6.64 times compared to those without pelvic inflammatory disease. (5) EP was not related to previous cesarean section or induced abortion.