A prospective New Zealand study of fertility after removal of copper intrauterine contraceptive devices for conception and because of complications: a four-year study.

A prospective New Zealand study was started in 1982 to determine fertility rates and pregnancy outcomes after removal of copper intrauterine contraceptive devices to allow conception or because of complications. In a combined 4-year study, there were 887 removals to allow conception and 164 due to complications. Participants were 375 (35.7%) nulligravid and 676 (64.3%) gravid women. Within 48 months, 91.5% of the nulligravid and 95.7% of the gravid women had conceived. A 2-year combined study, with regard to longer use of intrauterine contraceptive devices (greater than 2 years), did not show any significant reduction in fertility or increase in ectopic gestation within 24 months. However, in gravid women of similar age distribution, there was a significant increase in the miscarriage rate, compared with use of intrauterine contraceptive devices for less than 2 years or compared with nulligravid women. In a 1-year study, removals because of complications did not cause a significant reduction in fertility or an increase in ectopic gestation, miscarriage, or preterm delivery rates within 12 months, compared with removals to allow conception.