Increased fibrinolytic activity in the endometrium of patients using copper-iud (gravigard).

The use of an IUD often causes an increase in the menstrual blood loss, and this is the most common reason for removing the device. The fibrinolytic activity of the endometrium was studied histochemically in 15 women before and after the use of copper-IUD for 2-5 as well as for 8-12 months. The fibrinolytic activity in the endometrium was found to be increased at both examinations. This increase is probably a contributory cause of the menorrhagia in patients with IUD. No significant difference in fibrinolytic activity was found between the two examinations after insertion of the IUD, which thus suggests that the increase in endometrial fibrinolytic activity was steady.