Degradation of the coer-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device and its significance

  1. E. N. CHANTLER Lecturer in Reproductive Biochemistry1,
  2. KRISTIN SCOTT Technician1,
  3. C. ISAIA FILHO WHO Clinical Research Fellow1,†,
  4. MAX ELSTEIN Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology1,
  5. E. B. FARAGHER Medical Statistician2,
  6. G. W. LORIMER Senior Lecturer3,
  7. I. BROUGH Senior Experimental Officer3

Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb05903.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 91, Issue 2, pages 172–181, February 1984

Additional Information

How to Cite

CHANTLER, E. N., SCOTT, K., FILHO, C. I., ELSTEIN, M., FARAGHER, E. B., LORIMER, G. W. and BROUGH, I. (1984), Degradation of the coer-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device and its significance. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 91: 172–181. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb05903.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Manchester, UHSM, Nell Lane, West Didsbury, Manchester

  2. 2

    Department of Medical Statistics, University of Manchester, UHSM, Nell Lane, West Didsbury, Manchester

  3. 3

    Department of Metallurgy, Joint University of Manchester/UMIST, Grosvenor Street, Manchester M1 7HS, UK

  1. †

    Fundacio Universitaria de Endocrinologia e Fertiladade, Port Allegre 9000, Rio Grande de Sol, Brazil.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005
  3. Received 19 April 1983; Accepted 21 August 1983

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summary

Measurements were made of the coer remaining on used Gravigard intrauterine contraceptive devices (lUCDs) that had been in utero for up to 40 months. The topography and composition of the surface deposits were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The rate of coer loss decreased exponentially from 0–42 μmol d−1 (26–7 μg d−1) upon insertion to 0-056 μimol d−1 (3–6 μg d−1) after 26 months of use; between 27 and 40 months of use a linear release of 0–32 μimol d−1 (20–3 μg d−1) was observed. There was no correlation between this changing rate of coer loss and the pregnancy rate with the device in situ. The changes in the rate of coer loss were probably due to the growth of a surface corrosion product which, due to internal stresses, fractured after about 2 years and exposed fresh coer; this results in a progressive increase in breakage of the coer wire after 3 years. It is recommended that a coer IUCD of this type be replaced after 3 years.

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