Prostaglandins: mechanism of action and side effects of intrauterine devices
Hagenfeldt, K.
Contraception Fertilite Sexualite 8(9): 669-673
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-861X PMID: 12262124 Document Number: 158634
There are about 50-60 million IUD wearers worldwide. The mechanism of action of the IUD is still under discussion, while it is well known and proven that its major side effects are bleeding and pain. Many authors suggest that, because of the presence of an IUD, there is liberation of prostaglandins in the uterus, and that they are responsible for inhibition of nidation. It also appears from the abundant published literature that prostaglandins could be responsible for abnormal or ineffective platelet aggregation, which would, in turn, cause pain and bleeding.