A 30-year-old woman is counselled before copper IUCD insertion and asks about her risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. The period during which the risk of PID is MAXIMALLY increased after insertion is:

• A Only at the time of device removal
• B First 6 months after insertion
• C Uniformly elevated throughout the life of the device
• D First 20 days after insertion ✓

Explanation

WHO multicentre data show that the excess risk of PID after IUCD insertion is confined to the first 20 days, reflecting contamination of the endometrial cavity at the time of insertion. After this window the risk falls to that of the background population, so option C is wrong. Screening for cervical infection before insertion and treating existing sexually transmitted infection largely abolishes this early risk.

Reference: Williams Gynecology, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.