Insertion of intrauterine contraceptives immediately following first- and second-trimester abortions

Background

The study was conducted to assess the continuation and patient satisfaction with intrauterine contraception (IUC) insertion immediately after elective abortion in the first and second trimesters in an urban, public hospital-based clinic.

Study Design

A cohort of 256 women who elected to have insertion of a copper-T IUC (CuT380a) or a levonorgestrel-releasing IUC (LNG-IUC) were followed postoperatively by phone calls or chart review to evaluate satisfaction and continuation with the method.

Results

Of our 256 subjects, 123 had first-trimester abortions and 133 had second-trimester abortions (14 or more weeks). Median time to follow-up was 8 weeks (range 7-544 days). Nineteen discontinuations occurred: eight (6.5%, 95% CI 2.8-12.4%) following first-trimester and 11 (8.3%, 95% CI 4.2-14.3%) following second-trimester abortion (p=.6). Five women reported expulsion; one (0.8%, 95% CI 0.0-4.4%) in the first-trimester group and four (3.0%, 95% CI 0.8-7.5%) in the second-trimester group. (p=.4) Seven infections resulting in discontinuation occurred (2.7%, 95% CI 1.1-5.6%); none were positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia at time of insertion. No perforations occurred. Nearly all (93.8%) of the women were satisfied with IUC. Rates of satisfaction between women after first- and second-trimester abortions were equal.

Conclusion

In an urban clinic, IUC has high initial continuation and high patient satisfaction when inserted immediately following either first- or second-trimester abortions.