Comparison of the Lippes Loop D and tapered Lippes Loop D intrauterine devices.

The tapered Lippes Loop D (LLD) is compared to the standard LLD to evaluate efficacy and termination events. The tapered device was designed with the intention of lowering the expulsion rate below the rate for women with standard Lippes Loops. The two devices were randomly assigned to 989 women in two studies. Expulsion rates for the tapered device were lower at six months (p less than 0.10) and at 12 months (p less than 0.05). When the women were divided into groups by uterine measurement, the differences continued to be significant for women with larger uteri but not for those with smaller uteri. Comparison of other pertinent event rates showed no significant differences. Analysis of the data indicates that the tapered LLD represents an improvement in expulsion rates over the standard LLD.

Use of an oestrogen-free pill (Ex Luton) for contraception.

PIP: Ex Luton, an estrogen-free pill composed of 0.5 mg lynestrenol was given to 92 nonlactating women of proven fertility attending the Family Planning Clinic in the Misr Spinning and Weaving Company's Hospital at Mehalla-Kubra, Egypt. 695 cycles were given: 30 women received the pill for less than 6 cycles, and 62 for more than 6. 31 of the 62 continued the pill for more than 12 cycles. Pills were given daily without interruption. There were no cases of pregnancy during regular use. 2 cases of pregnancy occurred due to patient failure, 1 missing 6 pills in the 2nd cycle, and the other missing 2 in the 6th. 2 women who dropped out of the program because they wished to become pregnant did so: 1 who had taken only 1 cycle of pills became pregnant 1 month after dropping out; the 2nd completed 12 cycles and became pregnant 5 months after dropping out. The most common side effects that occur with combined pills appeared to be less frequent in the current study. Headache, nausea and sense of weakness, all present before use of the pill, either decreased or increased only slightly afterwards. Although amenorrhea was reported by 27% of the women after pill use -- a 5-fold increase -- it was noted in only 11.6% of the cycles and was not permanent, although 9 women dropped the pill because of it. Intermenstrual bleeding was a complaint of 12 women before pill use, and of 13 after. It was present only in 17 cycles, but was severe enough in 6 cases to make them drop the pill.^ieng