Copper 7 devices devoid of copper: implications for duration of useful life
Goh, T.H.
Medical Journal of Australia 1(10): 468-469
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 470693 Document Number: 148901
Cases are reported in which Cu-7 intrauterine devices were removed from 2 women after 55 and 63 months of continuous use, respectively, and were both found to be completely devoid of copper. The 1st patient was a woman aged 41 with 2 children who requested IUD removal on reaching menopause, while the 2nd, aged 44 with 5 children, had her IUD removed because of long duration of usage, having no particular problems, specifically no menorrhagia, which is known to increase the loss of copper from the IUD. Although no copper was left in the devices, neither woman became pregnant, and although chance is a possible explanation, it is known that even a nonmedicated IUD vector has some contraceptive effect, albeit a small 1. The major reason is perhaps declining fertility in the perimenopausal years, and so if such IUDs were found in younger women, a high rate of accidental pregnancy may have resulted. This is obviously unacceptable, especially as these women would then be exposed to some potentially serious complications. It is concluded that although the 2 cases reported may be isolated, they indicate the soundness of the original recommencation that the copper intrauterine devices should be replaced after 2-3 years of use.