ABSTRACT
These are sometimes reported in cervical smears, more commonly with increasing duration of use of either IUDs or IUSs. If reported, the protocol in the Box below is recommended.
More usually, the ALO finding occurs in asymptomatic and physical sign-free women – who stay that way. Overreaction might cause more morbidity, through pregnancy, than through actinomycosis. In a study reported from the MPC in 1984 three groups of women were followed up: one group was simply monitored (and the ALO finding commonly persisted) and in the other two groups the device was removed with or without immediate reinsertion of another copper IUD. No antibiotics were given. In both latter groups (and in larger studies of simple IUD removal) follow-up smears were free of ALOs.
