Effect of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices on the Endometrium

Abstract

The human uterine cavity is a space of variable size and configuration.¹Intrauterine contraception, by its very nature, introduces a foreign body into this space, to the presence of which the uterus must accommodate. Any uterine-tissue reaction to the intrauterine device, if present, should be apparent in the endometrium, the lining of the uterine cavity in direct contact with the device. Intrauterine contraception has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity since 1959. During the past five years, uterine bacteriology^2,3and cytology have been studied in association with the device. Other than superficial appraisal by the endometrial biopsy, uterine pathology has been given little reported attention.⁴Allen,⁵examining the histological findings from 18 uteri that had contained a stainless steel ring from six days to five months, noted no evidence of endometrial infection. More recently, Willson and his co-workers⁶reported on observations made of 292 endometrial specimens