title: Does using tampons or menstrual cups increase early IUD expulsion rates?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many intrauterine device (IUD) users utilize intravaginal menstrual cups or tampons during menses, but no studies have investigated the impact this practice may have on IUD expulsions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 930 women having IUDs placed and reporting menstrual protection, 10.3% (96) used menstrual cups, 74.2% (690) used tampons, and 43.2% (402) used pads (many women reported using more than one method). In the 743 women with adequate follow-up information, there was a full or partial expulsion (i.e., part of the IUD in the cervical canal) rate of 2.5% (27) during the first 6 weeks after insertion. There was no difference in the women using cups, tampons or pads (confidence intervals overlap).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From this study, there is no evidence that women who report using menstrual cups or tampons for menstrual protection had higher rates of early IUD expulsion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada. ellenwiebe@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ellen R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Wiebe
authors.forename: Konia J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Trouton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007433:Intrauterine Device Expulsion / Q000209:etiology*; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D008499:Medical Records; D052576:Menstrual Hygiene Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D034121:Reproductive Health Services; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel