Clinical aspects of contraception by means of copper-7 and copper-T intrauterine devices
Peksa, A.; Sternadel, Z.
Ginekologia Polska 49(9): 781-785
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-0011 PMID: 730064 Document Number: 138442
270 women with the median age of 29.5 years, were fitted with intrauterine contraceptive devices as outpatients of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic fo the Academy of Medicine in Warsaw, and observed for a total of 6,489 menstrual cycles. 200 of these received the Copper-7 (Gravigard) produced by the British firm Searle, while 70 received the Copper-T produced by the Finnish firm Leiras. The IUDs were inserted on the last day of menstrual flow with a check up 14 days aftrerwards. The second check up followed in 3 months; the remaining were done every 6 months. Most of the women had previously given birth at least once. In 4 cases intrauterine pregnancies developed despite the presence of an IUD, resulting in a Pearl Index of .73. Intermenstrual bleedings occurred in 6.6% of the casdes, menorrhagia in 10.7%, and low abdominal pains in 3.7% cases. Only in 4.4% of the cases did the IUD have to be removed because of the mentioned side effects. Most of the patients, 95%, evaluated this means of contraception as being excellent or good. Those who expressed a low opinion of IUDs were using an IUD for the 1st time. Copper-7 and Copper-T should be worn no longer than 2 years. After a 2 month break a new one can be inserted. There is a new model of Copper-T being produced Cu200Ag which has a silver prong and thus can lengthen the IUD's effectiveness to 5 years. (Summaries in RUS, ENG).