The incidence of actinomyces-like organisms in Papanicolaou-stained smearsof copper- and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices

Actinomyces-like organisms (ALOs) are a common finding in Papanicolaou-stai ned cervico-vaginal smears (PAP smears) of women using an intrauterine devi ce (IUD). The incidence of ALOs positive PAP smears depends on the type of IUD. Pelvic actinomycosis is a severe disease that may require hysterectomy find salpingo-oophorectomy. In a retrospective study we compared the incid ence of ALOs positive PAP smears in users of the new levonorgestrel-releasi ng intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) (n = 52) with the incidence in Multiload C opper IUD (ML375) users (n = 104). All IUDs had been inserted from 1996-199 8. Women with a follow-up period of more than 9 months were included into t he final analysis (LNG-IUD: n = 34; ML375: n = 65). The incidence of ALOs i n LNG-IUD users (2.9%) was significantly lower than in ML375 users (20%). C linical consequences of ALOs positive PAP smears are discussed controversia lly, The low incidence in the LNG-IUD users probably leads to less IUD-remo vals, reinsertions and less pelvic-inflammatory-diseases. CONTRACEPTION 200 0;61:365-368 (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.