Incidence of Infections Associated with the Intrauterine Contraceptive Device in an Isolated Community

In an attempt to estimate more precisely the frequency of infections associated with the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD), all gynecologic morbidity resulting from infection and occurring during a two-year period in an isolated community was reviewed. Ten septic abortions occurred, and all but one were associated with IUD use. In 26 gynecologic inpatients (41 per cent of all admissions for acute pelvic inflammatory disease), pelvic infection was associated with IUD use. In contradistinction to the septic abortion data, implicating only the Dalkon Shield, the gynecologic infections were associated with various types of devices.