ABSTRACT
As the need for fertility control grew at the end of the 19th
century, important innovations in contraception occurred.
The first was the development of the intrauterine device
(IUD). IUDs were derived from stem pessaries, which were
conceived as devices rather like over-large drawing pins
(thumb tacks) designed to prevent the ascent of sperm
through the cervix (Figure 9.1). In order to hold them in
place, a Y-shaped metal extension was inserted in the
uterus. It was observed that, even when the cervical device
broke off, the intrauterine metallic portion still exerted a
contraceptive effect.
