Mechanism of action of intrauterine devices: biochemical changes

The mechanism of action of intrauterine devices varies from one type of device to another, although the principle of action is the same, namely, to interfere with the physiology of reproduction at the endometrial level. The biochemical changes of the endometrial tissue and the composition of the uterine fluid have been reviewed in relation to the use of inert, copper-medicated and steroid-releasing IUDs. All IUDs, whether inert or medicated, provoke a significant increase in the number of neutrophils, mononuclear cells and plasma cells, the presence of which is unrelated to the tissue infiltration of inflammatory cells occurring pre-menstrually of the normal menstrual cycle. The increase of leucocytes in IUD-users is compatible with a foreign body reaction which may be related to the antifertility effect. The addition of copper to an inert IUD has been shown to significantly alter the metabolism of the endometrial cells, e.g. the enzymatic activity and the DOVA-synthesis. The steroid-medicated IUDs represent a new approach to intrauterine contraception where the morphology of the endometrium is considerably altered, showing massive decidual changes, atrophic glands and sometimes atrophy of the whole functional layer. In addition, there is an important foreign body reaction, similar to that of the inert IUDs. The enzymatic activity, as well as the proliferative activity was significantly altered in the endometrium of these IUD-users. Changes in the endometrial fibrinolytic activity in IUD-users have been demonstrated to be related to the presence of irregular bleeding. Micro-traumata of the endometrium and the increased fibrinolytic activity may also interfere with the protective processes present in the physiologically normal endometrium. Further studies on the factors influencing the fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa in the female genital tract, as well as on the conditions of the human endometrium required for the implantation of a blastocyst, may yield important information for the improvement of intrauterine contraception.

Intrauterine devices and pelvic inflammatory disease: recent developments

The potential relationship between use of intrauterine devices and pelvic inflammatory disease is one of the most important issues in contraception today. A number of large, sophisticated studies published since mid-1980 have clarified this association. All have consistently revealed an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease among intra-uterine device users, but the most objective of these studies indicate a relative risk compared to women using no method (1.5-2.6) lower than previous estimates. For most intrauterine device wearers, the increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease persists for only a few months after insertion. The Dalkon Shield appears associated with a higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease than the Lippes Loop, Saf-T-Coil, or copper devices. Careful selection of candidates for intrauterine devices may further reduce the risk of intrauterine device-associated pelvic inflammatory disease.

Microflora of cervical and vaginal secretion in women using copper- and norgestrel-releasing IUCDs

In 90 women with a norgestrel-releasing IUCD inserted and 50 women having a copper releasing IUCD, culturing of cervical and vaginal secretion was performed prior to, and 3 and 12 months after insertion of the IUCD. There were no significant changes in the cervical or vaginal microflora, and no significant differences between the groups. According to these findings, locally released progestogens from an IUCD do not affect the microflora of the vagina or of the cervix.

Prophylactic antibiotics in women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease undergoing first-trimester abortion

In a double-blind controlled trial the effect of prophylactic metronidazole on postabortal infection in women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was assessed. One hundred and thirty-five women were eligible for randomization, of whom 17 were excluded. The regimen consisted of oral metronidazole 400 mg 1 h before the abortion and again 4 and 8 h after, or else placebo. In the placebo group the rate of postabortal PID was 13.0% (7/54) and in the metronidazole group 10.9% (7/64), a nonsignificant difference (p greater than 0.7). Women in gestational weeks 11-12 had a significantly increased rate of postabortal PID compared with women in weeks 6-10 (p less than 0.005), but this rate was not influenced by the treatment (p greater than 0.2). Women with parity 1 had a significantly increased rate of postabortal PID compared with women with parity 0 (p less than 0.05), but again the treatment did not influence this rate significantly (p greater than 0.2). The number of hospital days for women in the metronidazole group did not differ significantly from that in the placebo group (p less than 0.1). The amount of metronidazole administered for prophylactic and postabortal treatment was significantly greater in the metronidazole group (p less than 0.001). The amounts of other antibiotics prescribed showed non-significant differences between the two groups (all p-values greater than 0.3).

The role of vaginal secretory immunoglobulin A, Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, and Chlamydia trachomatis in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease

In a prospective study of 129 women undergoing induced first-trimester abortion, 14 (10.9%) contracted postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Samples of vaginal secretion for quantitation of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) as well as isolates from cervix/urethra for the culture of anaerobes and aerobes, including Bacteroides fragilis et melaninogenicus and Gardnerella vaginalis, were obtained at the preoperative visit. Two blood samples from each woman with postabortal PID were analysed for antibodies against G. vaginalis. Twenty-five per cent of women with a history of PID developed postabortal PID, and 25% with vaginitis contracted postabortal infection (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.005). Twenty-five per cent of women harboring C. trachomatis at the time of abortion developed infection. The presence of anaerobes or G. vaginalis was not associated with the frequency of postabortal PID (all p-values greater than 0.1). One woman with postabortal PID produced a culture positive for G. vaginalis and a rise in specific antibody titer. The levels of vaginal sIgA were not significantly associated with a positive history of PID (p greater than 0.6), with postabortal PID (p greater than 0.4) or with the presence of anaerobes or G. vaginalis at the time of abortion (p greater than 0.3). However, significantly elevated levels of sIgA were found in women harboring C. trachomatis (p less than 0.05). Thus, the study could not demonstrate any correlation between vaginal sIgA and PID, but increased sIgA in Chlamydia-positive women. A history of PID and vaginitis entailed a significant risk of contracting postabortal PID.

Background factors of ectopic pregnancy. I. Frequency distribution in a case-control study

Two hundred and five patients with ectopic pregnancy in a well-defined Swedish population were interviewed with respect to prior disease and pregnancy histories as well as various constitutional and socioeconomic factors. The results were compared with those of two control groups, i.e. 110 early pregnant women intending to continue the gestation to term as well as 101 women seeking voluntary interruption of pregnancy. The results provide evidence that several may be involved in the etiology of ectopic pregnancy, including abdominal (or pelvic) surgery, previous ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease. Furthermore, a history of infertility is strongly correlated to ectopic pregnancy. On the other hand, there is no evidence that uncomplicated spontaneous or induced abortion, parity or marital status are important factors.

Time to conception after IUD removal: importance of duration of use, IUD type, pelvic inflammatory disease and age

Some investigations of IUD use have demonstrated impaired ability to become pregnant after removal, while others have not. None of these studies, however, have adequately considered such potentially influencing variables as age and a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). To study the effect of length of IUD use, IUD type and the modifying influences of age and PID history on time required to conceive, we followed women trying to become pregnant after removal of their IUD. Five hundred forty women in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia who were first fitted with an IUD between 1964 and 1972 and had their IUD removed in order to become pregnant were followed through 1980. We found no relationship between the duration of IUD use or type of IUD used, but increasing age and a history of PID each decreased the monthly probability of conception. These findings, along with other recent work, indicate that IUDs are a safe and efficacious contraceptive for women at low risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

Trends in ectopic pregnancy in New Zealand

The rate of ectopic pregnancy in New Zealand from 1965 to 1983 was examined and shown to have increased 3-fold from 4.3 per 10(3) total births in 1965 to 13.6 per 10(3) total births in 1983. Over this period the risk was greatest for the older conceiving woman, with a woman aged 35-44 years 2.2 times more likely to experience an ectopic pregnancy than a woman aged 15-24 years.

Bacterial colonization of intrauterine devices (IUDs)

The bacterial colonizing of the intrauterine device (IUD) and its tail were studied in 152 IUDs obtained from 70 symptomless IUD wearers, 13 women with dysfunctional bleeding, 23 women with pelvic inflammatory disease, 31 women in whom the tail of an IUD was no longer visible and 17 women who were pregnant with an IUD in situ. The IUDs were either removed by the transcervical route or through a fundal incision in the uterus after hysterectomy. Most IUD were heavily contaminated by bacteria, especially Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococci and anaerobic Lactobacilli. The number of colonies was higher in women with dysfunctional bleeding and pelvic inflammatory disease than in others with a predominance of pathogenic bacteria, namely beta-hemolytic Streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Almost half of the IUDs without a tail protruding through the cervix were sterile. With pregnancy in the presence of an IUD, 71% of devices grew bacteria which were mainly anaerobic.

Residues of pelvic inflammatory disease in intrauterine device users: a result of the intrauterine device or Chlamydia trachomatis infection?

It is currently believed that intrauterine devices cause pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal infertility. To investigate this concept further, we evaluated 245 infertile patients for inflammatory residues by laparoscopy or laparotomy; 176 patients had not used an intrauterine device and 69 had used one. Chlamydial antibody titers were performed on all patients. Although users had a higher overall prevalence of inflammatory residues than nonusers, there was no difference in residue prevalence for either group at the same titer level. No specific type of device appeared to be associated with either an increased or decreased residue frequency. "Silent" chlamydial infections occurred with equal frequency in both users and nonusers. We conclude that inflammatory residues and tubal infertility in intrauterine device users are not caused by the intrauterine device but by both overt and silent chlamydial infections.

Computed tomography of hydrosalpinx following tubal ligation

The CT findings in three cases of surgically proven hydrosalpinx following tubal ligation are described. In every case a cystic mass of characteristic tubular shape was detected in the pelvic adnexal region. These findings can be considered diagnostic of iatrogenic hydrosalpinx.

Does the hygroscopic property of the laminaria tent imply a risk for ascending infection in legal abortions? A microbiological study

In 53 women admitted for first-trimester abortion, the cervical canal was dilated with laminaria tents prior to vacuum aspiration. Before insertion of the tents, endocervical specimens were taken for microbiological investigations, including Chlamydia trachomatis, and both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The laminaria tents, widened by their hygroscopic properties, were removed just before the vacuum aspiration and sent for cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The Gram-positive aerobic cocci, Staph. epidermidis, Strept. faecalis and Strept. agalactiae as well as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella/Enterobacter were the most frequent microorganism among the aerobic isolates from the endocervices as well as from the laminaria tents. These microorganisms were identified on the tents in greater numbers than in the cervices. Staph. aureus was isolated from three laminaria tents, but only one of these 3 women was proved to be primarily colonized endocervically. Among the anaerobes, Bacteroidaceae followed by peptococci and peptostreptococci were the predominant genera found in the cervix as well as on the removed laminaria tents. These three groups of anaerobic microorganisms were found markedly less frequently on the laminaria tents than in the endocervix. On the other hand, Strept. intermedius, another anaerobe of possible enteric origin, was recovered from 9 laminaria tents but not in the cervices. Since no cases of clinically verified endometritis/salpingitis were registered in the present study it is concluded that the risk of a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) due to the laminaria tent is negligible as long as the laminaria treatment does not exceed 24 hours.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and its sequelae in adolescents

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is the most common serious complication of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Each year over one million women in the United States experience an episode of PID, with approximately 16-20% of cases occurring in teenagers. Acute PID increases a woman's risk for recurrent PID, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Recent reports indicating that PID rates are rising and are highest among adolescent females aged 15-19 underscore the need to remain current on the clinical as well as the epidemiologic aspects of PID. We present such an update in this article. Trends in incidence and key risk factors are discussed; besides adolescence itself and STD, other important categories of risk factors include sexual activity, contraceptive method, and previous episode(s) of PID. The polymicrobial nature of PID is discussed along with an analysis of the role of specific organisms, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, and mycoplasmas in PID. Early diagnosis and the institution of appropriate treatment regimens are essential to the prevention of PID's devastating sequelae. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for the wide range of clinical presentations associated with PID and be prepared to provide effective management, including proper evaluation and prompt treatment of sexual partners.