title: Transvaginal sonographic evaluation of subendometrial-myometrial contractility in women using a copper-releasing intrauterine device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a copper-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) on myometrial contractility midway through the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uterine peristalsis was studied midway through the cycle with transvaginal sonography in two groups of women, a control group and women in whom a copper-releasing IUD had been inserted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that 12 months after insertion, no uterine motility could be detected with sonography in any of the women with an IUD, but motility did occur in all the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subendometrial-myometrial contractility midway through the menstrual cycle had been abolished in patients with a copper-releasing IUD. The loss of motility may inhibit sperm transport from the cervix to the oviduct and account for at least part of the contraceptive effect of these devices.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain. asalaman@ugr.es
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salamanca
authors.forename: María Paz
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carrillo
authors.forename: Estanislao
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beltrán
authors.forename: Pedro A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Clavero
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper