Visibility of Strings After Postplacental Intracesarean Insertion of CuT380A and Cu375 Intrauterine Contraceptive Device: A Randomized Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence of visible strings after postplacental intracesarean insertion of Cu375 and CuT380A intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD).

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized comparative study. A total of 100 women fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent postplacental intracesarean insertion of either Cu375 IUD or CuT380A IUD. Women were followed up at 1, 6 weeks and 3 months after IUD insertion and were questioned about IUD expulsion or removal at each visit. The cervix was inspected to visualize the IUD strings. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test.

RESULTS

At 6-week follow-up, 97.9% women in group A versus 41.7% women in group B had strings visible at the cervical os and at 3 months 100% women in group A versus only 47.9% women in group B ( < 0.001) had visible strings of IUD.

CONCLUSION

Both Cu375 and CuT380A IUD are safe postpartum method of contraception but Cu375 if used for intracesarean IUD insertion increases the incidence of visible IUD strings. Hence, it avoids radiological investigations and invasive procedures at follow-up visits required to locate the IUD when strings are not visible. CTRI/2015/09/006221.