MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND BIOETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE COPPER INTRAUTERINE DEVICE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Ana Carolina Reis Araujo; caio esper; Ana Beatriz Reis Araujo

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Trabalho

Título do Trabalho

MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND BIOETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE COPPER INTRAUTERINE DEVICE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Autores

Ana Carolina Reis Araujo
caio esper
Ana Beatriz Reis Araujo

Modalidade

Resumo

Área temática

Bioética

Data de Publicação

21/08/2026

País da Publicação

Brasil

Idioma da Publicação

pt-BR

Página do Trabalho

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/xxvii-fiamc-world-congress-for-catholic-physicians-abstract-session-688844/1510568-mechanisms-of-action-and-bioethical-implications-of-the-copper-intrauterine-device--a-systematic-review

ISBN

978-65-272-2684-0

Palavras-Chave

Copper Intrauterine Devices, Embryo Implantation, Bioethics, Life

Resumo

INTRODUCTION: The copper intrauterine device (copper IUD) is one of the most widely used reversible contraceptive methods worldwide due to its high efficacy and long duration. Its mechanism of action involves changes in the intrauterine environment, including a local inflammatory response and the release of copper ions. However, controversies persist in the literature regarding the possibility of effects beyond the prevention of fertilization, especially concerning interference with embryo implantation, raising important bioethical discussions related to the beginning of human life. OBJECTIVE: To analyze, through a systematic review, the mechanisms of action of the copper IUD and its bioethical implications described in the scientific literature. METHODS: This is a systematic literature review, conducted according to PRISMA recommendations, in the PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases. Studies published between 2019 and 2025, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, were selected. The descriptors “Copper Intrauterine Devices”, “Embryo Implantation”, “Inflammation” and “Bioethics” were used, combined by Boolean operators AND and OR. As inclusion criteria, studies addressing the mechanisms of action of the copper IUD and/or its clinical and ethical implications were considered. Duplicate articles, studies outside the time frame, and those that did not meet the proposed objective were excluded. After applying the eligibility criteria, 6 studies were included. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that the copper IUD acts predominantly by inducing an inflammatory response in the endometrium, with an increase in leukocytes and inflammatory mediators, resulting in a hostile environment for sperm migration and viability. Additionally, it was observed that changes in endometrial receptivity may occur, with a possible impact on embryo implantation. Some studies point to indirect evidence of post-fertilization effects, although without consensus on their clinical relevance. In the bioethical sphere, it was identified that this uncertainty sustains debates on the moral status of the embryo and the ethical limits of contraceptive methods. CONCLUSION: The copper intrauterine device has well-established mechanisms of action in preventing fertilization; however, evidence suggests the possibility of interference with endometrial receptivity and, potentially, embryo implantation, although without definitive consensus in the literature. This uncertainty reinforces the need for careful bioethical analysis, especially concerning the recognition of the value of human life from its early stages. In this context, the importance of ethically responsible medical practice is highlighted, considering not only available scientific evidence but also the principles of the dignity of the human person and respect for life, as discussed in the tradition of personalist bioethics. Thus, individualized clinical counseling becomes essential, respecting the professional's moral conscience and the patient's values.

Título do Evento: XXVII FIAMC World Congress for Catholic Physicians - ABSTRACT SESSION
Cidade do Evento: Brasília
Título dos Anais do Evento: Proceedings of the XXVII FIAMC World Congress of Catholic Physicians and VI Brazilian Congress of Catholic Physicians
Nome da Editora: Even3
Meio de Divulgação: Meio Digital

Como citar

ARAUJO, Ana Carolina Reis; ESPER, caio; ARAUJO, Ana Beatriz Reis. MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND BIOETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE COPPER INTRAUTERINE DEVICE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.. In: Proceedings of the XXVII FIAMC World Congress of Catholic Physicians and VI Brazilian Congress of Catholic Physicians. Anais...Brasília(DF) Casa Dom Luciano, 2026. Disponível em: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/xxvii-fiamc-world-congress-for-catholic-physicians-abstract-session-688844/1510568-MECHANISMS-OF-ACTION-AND-BIOETHICAL-IMPLICATIONS-OF-THE-COPPER-INTRAUTERINE-DEVICE--A-SYSTEMATIC-REVIEW. Acesso em: 11/09/2026