Do copper intrauterine devices cause contact allergy?

Abstract

Allergological examinations were conducted on 49 women (out of a gynaecological clientele of 982) with different degrees of complaints after wearing an intrauterine device (IUD). At the same time, they and a control group had an histological examination of endometrial biopsies. Nickel allergy was found in 38 of the 49. Nine of them (eight with a nickel sensitivity) reacted within 24 hours to an application of a 1% copper sulphate solution. A reaction was still present 72 hours later in six women. Only one woman still reacted to further dilution of the test solution, but 48-hour application of the copper spiral to her forearm was negative. It is only in this patient that a (though very weak) copper allergy can be accepted with certainty. There was no evidence of an endometrial allergy histologically. The results justify the view that copper allergy is extremely rare.