RESUMO
PIP: Analysis was done on 70 cases of regularly controlled use of an IUD for 4 years or more. No distinction was made among devices used. 64.2% of the sample had used an IUD from 4 to 5 years, 20% from 5 to 6 years and 15.8% for more than 6. 37% of the sample was between 20-29 years of age, 58.5% between 30-39, and 4.2% over 40. All had more than 2 children and 74.1% had had at least 1 abortion; 12.8% had had between 4-6 abortions. 85.7% were considered to have normal menstrual periods; 8.5% experienced menorrhagia, 2.8% hypermenorrhagia, and 2.8% metrorrhagia. 92.8% had no inflammatory complications. There was 1 case of endometriosis, 3 of adnexitis, and 1 of parametriosis, all of which responded favorably to antibiotics without necessitating removal of the device. Laboratory studies revealed that 50% of the sample had cervicitis. It is concuded that menstrual disorders and genital inflammations need not, if properly treated, be reasons for removal of the device, and further, that with adequate controls IUDs are suitable for long-term use.^ieng