MENSTRUAL BLEEDING PATTERN AND IRON STATUS IN WOMEN FITTED WITH COPPER AND NONMEDICATED INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES

A prospective study or the menstrual bleeding pattern and iron status was conducted in 42 healthy Nigerian women volunteers before and after being fitted with either a medicated, copper T (TCu.200B) (n=20) or a non-medicated, Lippes loop (n=22) intrauterine contraceptive device ( IUD). After about six mouths of use, the mean fasting serum iron and p acked cell volume (PCV) were significantly higher (+32% and +6% respec tively), mean serum ferritin was significantly decreased(-14%) compare d to the pre-insertion levels in the copper TIUD users. In the Lippes loop IUD users, mean fasting serum iron was significantly lower (-11%) , mean PCV was higher (+5%). The changes observed in the mean levels o f serum ferritin and the duration of menstrual bleeding did not reach a statistical significant level. Among the two groups, only the change s in the mean fasting serum iron was significant (P<0.01). In all, onl y the women fitted with Lippes loop IUDs had a decrease in the levels of both serum iron and body iron stores (ferritin), however, no clinic al anaemia was observed at six months of use.