Folic acid supplementation may cause subjective improvement of hot flushes by lowering the increased central noradrenergic activity.

Uterine prostaglandin (PG) levels and cellular reaction in response to IUDs were elevated in sixty women. Short-term users (n = 30) were studied in a control cycle and 3 months after IUD insertion, and long-term users (n = 30) were studied at least 2 years after device insertion. A uterine wash was performed in the proliferative and luteal phase of each investigated menstrual cycle; the cellular components were counted and levels of PGE2, PGF2 alpha and their 13,14-dihydro-15-keto metabolites measured. A significant rise in PG levels was observed in the uterine wash shortly after IUD insertion, particularly in the luteal phase. However, there was a significant reduction in PG levels among long-term users, though the cellular reaction showed a continued increment. The absence of correlation between the biochemical and biological responses indicated that neither of them was totally dependent on the other. The decreased PG levels among long-term users does not support the concept of a key role for these substances in the mechanism of action of IUDs. The temporary post-insertion rise in PG levels coincides with the phase of increased bleeding and pain.

No abstract

Selecting an IUD that fits the uterine dimensions is believed to be a keystone in improving IUD performance. This study included 15 women admitted for hysterectomy with no gross pelvic pathology distorting the uterine cavity and no contraindication to hysterography. Before hysterectomy the uterine cavity dimensions were measured using the Wing Sound II device and hysterography. After hysterectomy, direct measurements of the same dimensions were performed. The correlation between the Wing Sound II device measurements and those obtained by the direct method was highly significant except for the fundal transverse dimension where the correlation was moderately significant. On the other hand, hysterography measurements had a moderately significant correlation with those obtained by the direct method, except for the fundal transverse dimensions and the total uterine length where the correlation was insignificant. The Wing Sound II device is a simple, safe and accurate tool for studying uterine geometry on an outpatient basis.