A comparison of the delta copper T and the copper T 200 in Bologna, Italy

Acta Eur Fertil. 1986 Jan-Feb;17(1):39-41.

Abstract

An analysis is presented of a comparative study of the Delta T and Copper T 200 IUDs. A total of 195 postabortion insertions was performed between March 1981 and August 1982. All insertions were performed with an inserter. Primary bleeding/pain complaints after insertion were largely related to intermenstrual problems, with spotting the most frequently reported. Nine women had their devices removed for PID. One pregnancy occurred at ten months in the Delta T group. Both groups had one expulsion/displacement. Eight devices in each group were removed for bleeding/pain. Two women in the TCu group had their devices removed for personal reasons. The 6-months continuation rates for the two groups were 85.5 for the Delta T group and 82.2 for the TCu group. The 6-months follow-up rate for the Delta T group was 39.4 and 38.8 for the TCu group.

PIP: Complications associated with postabortion insertion of the Delta T and Copper T 200 IUDs were compared in 195 women. All insertions were performed with an inserter. There were no reported incidents of inserter-related problems, pelvic pain, or other complications at insertion. At follow-up, intermenstrual spotting was the most frequently reported complaint, involving 14 women (18.2%) in the Delta T group and 7 women (9.5%) in the TCu group. 8 Delta T acceptors (10.4%) and 12 TCu acceptors (16.2%) experienced intermenstrual bleeding. Intermenstrual pain was reported by 7 (9.1%) Delta T users and 4 (5.4%) TCu users. Other primary bleeding and pain complaints included menorrhagia, reported by 9 (11.7%) Delta T users and 9 (12.2%) TCu users, and dysmenorrhea, reported by 5 (6.5%) Delta T users and 4 (5.4%) TCu users. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) confined to the uterus was diagnosed in 9 (11.7%) Delta T acceptors and 5 (6.8%) TCu acceptors. 7 women (9.1%) in the Delta T group and 8 women (10.8%) in the TCu group reported PID confined to the adnexa. 1 woman from each group had PID confined to the uterus and adnexa and 5 TCu users reported PID beyond the uterus and adnexa. Of the 36 women diagnosed with PID, 9 had their devices removed. There was 1 pregnancy in the Delta T group and 1 device from each group was expelled. There were 3 removals for pain and bleeding in the Delta T group and 4 removals for this reason in the TCu group. The 6-month continuation rate was 85.5 for the Delta T device and 82.2 for the TCu IUD. Given the high incidence of spotting, intermenstrual bleeding, and PID recorded in this sample, insertion of an IUD in the immediate postabortion period is not recommended.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intrauterine Device Expulsion
  • Intrauterine Devices, Copper / standards*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / etiology
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Socioeconomic Factors