Copper release from copper intrauterine devices removed after up to 8 years of use
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
We studied the copper-releasing ability, weight and microscopic appearance of 2 copper-bearing intrauterine devices (IUDs), Copper-T Cu 200 (CuT) and Nova-T Cu 200 Ag (NovaT), after they had been in utero for up to 8 years. In addition, we studied whether IUDs removed from pregnant women showed different copper release. We found that IUD weight was a linear, negative function of duration of use, and that less than 20% of total copper would be released over a period of 8 years. The average copper-releasing ability was significantly higher for CuT than for NovaT (82.6 ± 6.4 vs. 42.7 ± 2.6 μg/day). The copper release was constant and thus unrelated to duration of use. Copper-releasing ability was similar in IUDs removed from pregnant and non-pregnant women. Fragmentation or minor defects only occurred in 3% of the IUDs and no correlation was found between deposits or corrosion and copper release rates. We conclude that CuT and NovaT both have constant copper release for at least 5-6 years and that the useful life-span probably can be prolonged to 6-8 years or more.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Contraception |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 349-358 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISSN | 0010-7824 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 1993 |
ID: 283516725