9th Annual WML Academic Symposium

Presenter(s): Brianna Chu, Emily Cox, Michelle Orlowski
Title: Factors Surrounding Postabortion IUD Expulsion
Developed under the guidance of Dr. Michelle Langaker , School of Osteopathic Medicine

This literature review assessed factors associated with postabortion IUD expulsion. Evidence suggests an increased risk of expulsion with increased gestational age at the time of abortion and with the immediate postabortion insertion of IUDs versus delayed postabortion insertion. No significant difference was noted between postabortion expulsion and expulsions from IUDs inserted at times unrelated to pregnancy or between copper and hormonal IUDs. Data on rates of expulsion after medical abortion versus surgical abortion is mixed. Despite a slightly increased risk of expulsion with the immediate postabortion placement of IUDs compared to delayed insertion, potential benefit outweighs the risk.