[Endocervical and vaginal changes in women wearing IUD's].

The authors have studied the endocervical and vaginal changes in common vaginal smears from those women wearing IUDs. 521 smears from these women were compared with 500 normal smears and 210 from women affected by lesions of the cervix uteri. The results point out that the IUD seems to cause bacteriological and cytologic alterations. There is a noticeable increase in mixed bacterial population and trichomonas; this picture corresponds to the 1 with women with cervical ectopia. Cytologically there is an increase in parabasal-like cells as in those from areas of squamous metaplasia. It is assumed that probable hormonal or mechanical changes may cause a squamous metaplasia of the cervix uteri in women wearning IUDs. These stimuli themselves are the probable cause of the morbid microbial variations. (authors modified) (summary in ENG)