The Intrauterine Device and Primary Tubal Infertility

To the Editor: In 1985 we reported the results of a population-based study of primary tubal infertility in relation to the previous use of an intrauterine device (IUD).¹ Women who had ever used an IUD were found to be at an increased risk of tubal infertility (relative risk, 2.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 5.2), the risk being particularly high among those who had used the Dalkon Shield IUD (relative risk, 6.8; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.8 to 25.2). Although there was an indication of a more moderate increase in risk among users of copper and plastic IUDs, these . . .