American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Gynecological Practice, Opinion337, June 2006. There are two widely used intrauterine devices currently employed for contraceptive purposes. These are the Mirena® System discussed in the text and the Copper T (Paragard® T 389A). It is the hormonal effect of the Mirena® System which is significant for our purposes here. The Copper T does not have the same hormonal mechanism and is of no value for the matter being discussed in the article. Both devices are described as “contraceptive,” although both can also be abortifacient. This abortifacient effect will be dealt with in the text.
2.
ThomasJ., O'DonnellS.J.Medicine and Christian Morality, 3rd ed. (New York: Alba House, 1996), 32.
3.
ThomasJ., O'DonnellS.J.Medicine and Christian Morality, 3rd ed. (New York: Alba House, 1996), 32.
4.
Information on the Mirena® levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is taken primarily from Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR), 59th ed. (2005), 921-926. Such information is supplied by the drug manufacturer.
5.
Mitosis is the process of cell division by which cells reproduce. Stromal tissue is connective tissue. Glandular tissue in this context is the functioning tissue of the endometrium.
6.
This lessening of anovulatory effect seems logical in view of the constantly decreasing amounts of progestogens released over the five year span of the insert's effective life.
To describe a condition as “idiopathic” is to say that its cause is not clearly identifiable. One definition is: “Pertaining to conditions without clear pathogenesis, or diseases without recognizable cause, as of spontaneous origin.”Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 16th ed. (Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, Company, 1989).
