Endometrial picture with oestrogen-loaded intrauterine device.

A study of the endometrial picture in 75 volunteer multiparous women, fitted with spring-coil devices loaded with silastic capsules containing 60 mg crystalline mestranol at the birth control clinic of Ain Shams University Hospitals was carried out. Thirty-eight post-insertion endometrial biopsies were taken, both in the proliferative and secretory phases of the cycle, up to a 12-week period. All biopsies revealed marked hyperplastic changes after the first week of application and up to six weeks. After that, atrophic changes followed to twelve weeks. This variable endometrial picture, especially the marked hyperplastic changes, does not point to oestrogens as suitable and safe ingredients for use as bioactive devices.