Ectopic pregnancies and the use of intrauterine device and low dose progestogen contraception

In a series of 71 ectopic pregnancies ten were associated with the use of an intrauterine device (IUD) and three with the use of low dose progestogen contraception. For comparison a series of 800 legal abortions were studied and in 20 of these cases pregnancy originated while an IUD was in utero and in 13 during the use of low dose contraceptive pills. When using the above-mentioned contraceptive methods the possibilities of an ectopic pregnancy should be taken into consideration.