Histological and chemical study of 26 cases of copper I.U.D. users

A morphologic and chemical study was performed on 26 women following their informed consent to evaluate late alterations induced in the endometrium by copper IUDs. The womens ages ranged from 20-47 years; the device had been in place about 2 years (range 18-30 months). As the IUD was removed and the endometrial biopsy performed the material adherent to the IUD was smeared for cytological study and the biopsy processed for histology and then utilized for copper dosage. Histological alterations included: micropapillary endometrial surface (18/26) maturation delay with prolonged proliferative phase and deficient progestinic phase (8/13 in luteal phase) gland atrophy with abundant stroma (11/26) an altered and increased vascularization (15/26) superficial (13/26) and diffuse (12/26) mild phlogosis. Copper dosage gave a mean value of 563.85 ppm (range 157-2011 ppm) representing a significant increase related to controls (7 cases: mean value 167.29 ppm Cu--range 54-311). Results are compared with data from the literature. (authors)