Objective: To raise awareness of forgotten intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs).
Design: Case report.
Setting: District general hospital in London.
Patient(s): Two women, one with secondary infertility and one with heavy, painful periods, both unaware they had an IUD.
Intervention(s): Removal of the forgotten IUD.
Main outcome measure(s): Return of fertility and improvement in gynecologic symptoms.
Result(s): After the removal of the IUD, the first patient who had had secondary infertility conceived within 1 month. In the second patient, the symptoms of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea improved after removal of the IUD.
Conclusion(s): Although it is rare, a forgotten IUD is a potential cause of unexplained infertility and a differential diagnosis for gynecologic symptoms.
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