Microbial presence in the uterine cavity as affected by varieties of intrauterine contraceptive devices.

A group of 33 baboons was used to study the effect of various intrauterine device (IUD) assemblies on the entrance of vaginal/cervical microflora into the uterine cavity for a total experimental period of 16 months. These animals were specially prepared surgically so that intrauterine samples could be taken aseptically and percutaneously rather than transvaginally. While the insertion and presence of any of the IUD assemblies used in this study could promote intrauterine bacteria, the principal determining factor was not the device itself, but rather retrieval tail. Multifilament tails were much more effective than monofilaments. Of particular interest is the fact that many potential pathogens can be present in the uterus for long periods in a benign, almost "normal flora" fashion without producing disease.