Intrauterine devices: results of a separate clinical and ultrasound follow-up study.

A separate clinical and ultrasound study was carried out in 20 unselected patients receiving an IUD (ML Cu 250 or Cu T-200). Clinical adverse effects were studied in relation to ultrasound findings after 0, 2 and 6 months of insertion. Using both the sound length and initial ultrasound measurements, it was possible to calculate that none of the 20 IUDs reached the fundal wall of the uterine cavity (distance 0.1-2.4 cm). The mean initial distance between the top of the uterine fundal wall and the top of the IUD (TOP) was 2.0 cm (range 1.3-2.4 cm). A downward displacement of more than 0.5 cm in consecutive measurements was observed in 3 patients. Malposition of one or two arms of the IUD was found in 8 patients. In 6 of these patients clinical complaints were present.