What risks are associated with IUD use?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) PID is a serious infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and the ovaries that can lead to infertility, sterility and chronic pain. The risk of acquiring PID is highest within the first 20 days after IUD insertion. The rate of PID decreases from almost 10/1000 women to 1/1000 women after 21 days of IUD use. Symptoms of PID include: • abdominal pain, • pain with intercourse, • vaginal bleeding or discharge, • and fever. Call our clinic at (206) 685-1031 immediately if you experience any of these. PID is usually sexually transmitted. Women who have had PID, chlamydia or gonorrhea, or who have more than one sexual partner, or whose sexual partner has other partners, are at a greater risk of getting PID. Expulsion During the first year of use approximately 2-10% of women may expel their IUD with the majority of expulsions occurring within the first month after insertion. Only 2-3% of women who have had children expel the IUD in the first year. Expulsions a
