title: Cross of Lorraine and Cross of Caravaca: new IUD's with low expulsion rates.
abstract: The Cross of Caravaca and Cross of Lorraine IUDs with double horizontal bar design were developed in an attempt to reduce expulsion and removal rates for pain and bleeding encountered with other IUDs.  The devices were manufactured in radio-opaque plastic bearing copper wire or sleeves on the top arm.  The Cross of Lorraine has the upper arm shorter than the lower arm whereas in the Cross of Caravaca the shorter is the lower arm.  748 women had insertion of the Cross of Caravaca and 412 had insertion of the Cross of Lorraine.  For the Cross of Caravaca 486 women completed 1 year of use, 392 completed 2 years and 310 completed 3 years.  For the Cross of Lorraine, 268 women completed the 1st year, 205 the 2nd, and 150 women completed 3 years of use.  The combined number of observed months of use for the 2 devices at the end of 3 years was 24,963.  Accidental pregnancy rates at the end of 3 years were 1.13% for Caravaca and 3.48% for Lorraine.  Expulsion rates at the end of 3 years were nil for the Cross of Lorraine and 1.16% for the Cross of Caravaca.  Pain and bleeding were the most common causes of termination for medical reasons, bleeding accounting for termination in 1.66% of Lorraine users at the end of 3 years of use and 2.75% of Caravaca users.  Pain accounted for termination in 3.14% of Caravaca users and 2.02% of Lorraine users.  Incidence of infection was 0.42% and nil for Caravaca and Lorraine users respectively.  Total discontinuation rates at the end of 3 years were 25.39% for Caravaca and 16.67% for Lorraine.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mascarenhas
mesh_terms: D000569:Americas; D001723:Birth Rate; D001938:Brazil; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003267:Contraception; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003300:Copper; D003710:Demography; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D003933:Diagnosis; D004194:Disease; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005298:Fertility; D006470:Hemorrhage; D015994:Incidence; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D007843:Latin America; D008670:Metals; D010146:Pain; D011153:Population; D011157:Population Dynamics; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012106:Research; D012107:Research Design; D012816:Signs and Symptoms; D013020:South America
chemical_list: D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D008670:Metals; D003300:Copper
keywords: Americas; Bleeding; Brazil; Comparative Studies; Contraception; Contraception Continuation; Contraception Failure; Contraception Termination; Contraceptive Methods--side effects; Contraceptive Usage; Copper; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Developing Countries; Diseases; Evaluation; Examinations And Diagnoses; Family Planning; Fertility; Fertility Measurements; Incidence; Ingredients And Chemicals; Inorganic Chemicals; Iud--side effects; Latin America; Measurement; Metals; Pain; Population; Population Dynamics; Pregnancy Rate; Research Methodology; Signs And Symptoms; South America; Studies