Pregnancies in the presence of copper intra-uterine devices. Hysterosalpingographic studies.

Two copper-bearing intrauterine devices--the Cu-7 and Cu-T-200--were investigated to determine why contraceptive failures occur with these devices. For this investigation, 155 multiparous women were followed up for at least 24 months after IUD insertion (T-Cu-200 in 75 cases and the Cu-7 in 80 cases). Three women using the T-Cu-200 and 5 women using the Cu-7 became pregnant during the first year. Hysterosalpingographic findings are presented for 8 of these cases and for 2 additional cases (one with each device) who became pregnant during the second year of follow-up. These indicate that uterine abnormalities and disproportions between the uterine cavity's shape and size and that of the device are the primary reasons for device displacement and partial fundal coverage leading to contraceptive failures.