ABSTRACT
It is difficult to find the origin of intrauterine devices. Arabs are believed to ha inserted stones into the uteruses of their camels to stop them becoming pregnant while on long journeys across the desert. The first IUD designed to prevent conception was a ring made from silkworm gut by Dr Richter in 1909. In the 1920s Ernst Graefenberg developed a silver ring known as the Graefenberg ring. In many countries contraception was illegal during this time, and antibiotics had not been developed to treat pelvic infection. Later, in 1934, Ota in Japan developed the Ota ring, a modification of the Graefenberg ring. In 1962 Dr Lippes introduced an IU made of plastic called the Lippes Loop. It was not until 1965 that IUDs became available to women through Family Planning Clinics, and in 1969 copper wire was added to the IUD which was found to increase the efficacy of the device. The IU is often referred to as the ‘coil’.
