PERFORATION OF THE UTERUS BY THE COPPER-T AND COPPER-7 INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES

Uterine perforation in patients wearing the Copper-T and the Copper-7 intrauterine contraceptive devices has been studied. In Bollnas, Sweden, three perforations occurred in 1 156 insertions of the Copper-7, and in New York, USA, six perforations occurred in 1 153 insertions of the Copper-T. Cervical perforation seems to be a special feature of the Copper-T, while the Copper-7 tends to perforate through the uterine wall. The perforations can be divided into "primary" perforations, related to the insertion procedure, and "secondary" perforations, caused by uterine contractions. The diagnosis and treatment of uterine perforations by intrauterine devices is discussed.