The effect of a copper intra-uterine contraceptive device on the microbial ecology of the female genital tract

Study of Microbial Flora of Female Genital Tract in Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Users

“…This correlates with study by Elhag et al, (5) in which no significant occurrence of Candida was found in women with IUCD in situ. The isolation rate of Actinomyces from devices worn for more than 2 years was significantly increased (p<0.05) when compared to devices worn for 1 to 2 years (Table 6).…”

“…(p<0.05) ( Table 4). This correlates with the study by Elhag et al, (5) in which lactobacilli was found in less frequency in IUCD users. Lack of dominance of lactobacilli would lead to decreased production of hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid and thus promoting unrestricted growth of other constituents of the flora.…”

“…This correlates with the study by Elhag et al, (5) in which Actinomyces was only isolated from IUCD users. Valicenti et al, (13) study has stated that IUCD has been shown to induce a mild inflammatory response in the endometrium, with focal necrosis which creates an environment favourable for Actinomyces and other anaerobic organisms.…”

The Association between Copper Containing IUCD and Bacterial Vaginosis

“…Forgotten IUCD is thought to cause some serious infections such as actinomycosis and BV (13,14). As seen in Table 3, three of BV(+) patients (75%) used copper IUCD more than 4 years.…”

“…According to the literature data, women with BV have an increased relative risk of post partum endometritis, post cesarean wound infection, premature rupture of membranes, premature labor, intra-amniotic infection and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (8,9,10,11,12). In the literature, the relation between several infections such as actinomycosis, trichomoniasis and IUCD was reported (13,14). But, only few studies dealt with the association between IUCD and BV.…”