| Abstract: | Copper intrauterine contraceptive devices (Cu-IUD) are known to have more increased contraceptive effect and less complications that inert IUD. It has previously been shown that progesterone receptor binding is more affected by copper ions and the presence of copper in rabbit uterus results in less sensitivity to progesterone. It was expected that in a human wearer of Cu-IUD, the Cu induced changes of the endometrium in the secretory phase will be more obvious than in the proliferative phase. In this study the histological endometrial dating was compared with the dating by the basal body temperature. In the proliferative phase, 2 cases in 8 had the delayed and advanced datings respectively. In the secretory phase, 7 cases in 18 had the delayed dating and 1 case in 18 had the advanced dating. These results indicate that the proliferative endometrium (estrogen effect) is not affected but the secretory endometrium (progesterone effect) is affected by Cu-IUD, possibly resulting in the luteal insufficiency. (Author's) |
