UTERINE BIOLOGY AND THE INTRAUTERINE-DEVICE

The uterus functions mainly as a reproductive organ harboring the deve loping embryo and fetus. However, its rich blood supply also renders i t a potential organ for systemic drug administration. Intrauterine dev ices, being easily inserted into the uterine cavity for long periods, and associated with minimal complications, have been suggested as poss ible vehicles for this purpose. In order to use the uterine cavity as a drug delivery system, thorough knowledge of uterine anatomy, physiol ogy and histology is of paramount importance. These topics and, in add ition, the history, mechanisms of action, and complications of the int rauterine device are presented and discussed in the following section.