EFFECT OF IUD (INTRAUTERINE DEVICE) ON REPRODUCTIVE TRACT INFECTION (RTI) IN THE NORTHERN WEST BANK

Introduction  
IUD is one of the most popular contraceptive methods used world wide, the most common type is Copper IUD ¹. Different studies were conducted to explore the IUD related diseases particularly those associated with infection. Some studies linked the infection-related disease to the insertion method and technique ^{2, 3, 4, and 5}. 

Reproductive tract infections (RTI) are common among women all over the world. They include three types; the" sexually transmitted disease” , the endogenous infection  caused by over-growth of organisms present in the genital tract such as bacterial vaginosis ,and finally  infections associated with medical procedures that manipulate the genital tract as unsafe abortion, pelvic examination, and IUD insertion ⁶.   

Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina characterized by discharge, irritation and or itching, ^{7, 8}. Bacterial Vaginosis is one of the most common causes of vaginitis in women of childbearing age. In symptomatic women the percent reaches up to 24-37% and it has been found in 16-29% of pregnant women. Evaluation of the epidemiological factors revealed that IUD use and douches are common among women with Bacterial Vaginosis ^{8, 9}.

Vaginal micro-flora are opportunistic bacteria, these bacteria as streptococci, staphylococcus, Escherichia-Coli, are vaginal habitat. Ohm, in his study ¹⁰classified them into two groups; the first is the predominant bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis, the other group is the potentially pathogenic, (Staphylococcus aurous, E-Coli, Streptococcus group A)  .

The importance of studying the aerobic bacterial microorganism ¹¹as E-Coli lies on fact that these organisms are opportunistic pathogens in the female genital tract and are associated in the pathogenesis of UTI. Also Staphylococcus aurous has its role in developing toxic shock syndrome .