Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (iucd): From 1 Different Sources
A mechanical device, commonly a coil, inserted into the UTERUS to prevent CONCEPTION, probably by interfering with the implantation of the EMBRYO. For many women, IUCDs are an e?ective and acceptable form of contraception, although only about 10 per cent of women in the UK use them. The devices are of various shapes and made of plastic or copper; most have a string that passes through the cervix and rests in the vagina.
About one-third of women have adverse effects as the result of IUCD use: common ones are backache and heavy menstrual bleeding (see MENSTRUATION). The frequency of unwanted pregnancies is about 2 per 100 women-years of use. (See CONTRACEPTION.)
Any agent or device used to prevent conception... contraceptive
A method of helping CONCEPTION to occur when a man is infertile (see INFERTILITY) because his sperm (see SPERMATOZOON) cannot penetrate either the cervical mucus at the entrance of the UTERUS or the barriers that surround the OVUM. The sperm, often treated chemically beforehand to increase motility, are injected directly into the uterus via the VAGINA.... intrauterine insemination
A contraceptive taken by mouth (see CONTRACEPTION). It comprises one or more synthetic female hormones, usually an oestrogen (see OESTROGENS), which blocks normal OVULATION, and a progestogen which in?uences the PITUITARY GLAND and thus blocks normal control of the woman’s menstrual cycle (see MENSTRUATION). Progestogens also make the uterus less congenial for the fertilisation of an ovum by the sperm.... oral contraceptive
See IUD.... intrauterine contraceptive device
An abbreviation for intrauterine contraceptive device (see IUD).... iucd
Equipment that enables an individual who requires assistance to perform the daily activities essential to maintain health and autonomy and to live as full a life as possible. Such equipment may include, for example, motorized scooters, walkers, walking sticks, grab rails and tilt-and-lift chairs.... assistive device
Abbreviation for an intrauterine contraceptive device (coil). It acts mechanically to prevent conception, but the coil is not suitable for all women and has a failure rate of 2·3 per cent (see CONTRACEPTION).... iucd (iud)
See spermicides.... foam, contraceptive
See oral contraceptives.... pill, contraceptive
see environmental hearing aid.... alerting device
a device for helping people with hearing difficulties. An assistive listening device can be a stand-alone device or can work in conjunction with a *hearing aid or *cochlear implant. Assistive listening devices include *induction loop systems, amplifiers for telephones, and radio headphones to wear when listening to the radio or television. Such devices increase the loudness of the desired sound without increasing the level of any background noise; i.e. they improve the signal-to-noise ratio. See also environmental hearing aid.... assistive listening device
death of a fetus in the uterus after 24 weeks of gestation. See stillbirth.... intrauterine fetal death
(IUGR, fetal growth restriction) failure of a fetus to achieve its growth potential, resulting in the birth of a baby whose birth weight is abnormally low in relation to its gestational age (see small for gestational age). Causes include *uteroplacental insufficiency, maternal disease (e.g. infection, malnutrition, high blood pressure, smoking, and alcoholism), poor socioeconomic conditions, multiple pregnancy (e.g. twins), and fetal disease or chromosomal abnormalities. It may be associated with *preterm birth.... intrauterine growth restriction
see IUS.... intrauterine system
a plastic device that facilitates *circumcision while protecting the glans penis. It is widely used for circumcisions in newborn boys.... plastibell device
(VAD) a mechanical pump implanted in the body for the purpose of taking over some or all of the pumping action of the heart in patients with severe heart damage. Support may be given to the left ventricle (LVAD), right ventricle (RVAD), or both. Most such devices require *thoracotomy, but a percutaneous device is now also available. This is usually regarded as a temporary measure until the heart has recovered or is transplanted.... ventricular assist device
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