title: Length of the endometrial cavity and intrauterine contraceptive device expulsion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the correlation between endometrial cavity length and expulsion rate in acceptors of the TCu380A intrauterine device (IUD) or the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 235 nulligravida and parous women who received a TCu380A IUD or LNG-IUS and who were observed for up to 1 year. The length of the uterine cavity was measured by uterine sounding and ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The endometrial cavity was shorter than 3.2 cm in 2 LNG-IUS users and at least 3.2 cm long in 87 LNG-IUS users, with expulsions occurring in 0 (0.0%) and 2 (2.3%) of these women, respectively (P>0.999). Among the TCu380A IUD users, the endometrial cavity was shorter than 3.6 cm in 63 women and at least 3.6 cm long in 83 women, with expulsions occurring in 3 (4.8%) and 5 (6.0%) of these women, respectively (P>0.999). The mean length of the endometrial cavity-evaluated via ultrasonography-among the 10 women whose devices were expelled was 3.9 ± 0.3 cm, compared with 3.9 ± 0.0 cm in those who retained their devices (P=0.799).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results do not support the hypothesis of an association between uterine length and risk of intrauterine contraceptive expulsion.
authors.affiliation: Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil. vbahamondes@cemicamp.org.br
authors.forename: M Valeria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Bahamondes
authors.forename: Ilza
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canteiro
authors.forename: Arlete Dos Santos
authors.initials: Ados S
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bahamondes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007433:Intrauterine Device Expulsion / Q000209:etiology*; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel