The use of intrauterine contraceptive devices, pelvic inflammatory disease, and Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

With the same epidemiologic approach taken in a recent study that suggested that oral contraceptive use may not protect against chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease, the risks of chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease were evaluated for intrauterine contraceptive device users. Compared with women using no method of contraception, intrauterine contraceptive device users were not found to be at any higher risk of cervical chlamydial infection. Whether this places intrauterine contraceptive device users at no increased risk of chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease cannot be ascertained from the available data. Further research is needed before any conclusions can be made regarding the risks of chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease to users of intrauterine contraceptive devices, oral contraceptives, and other contraceptive methods.