Wishbone or gold spring pessary, Europe, 1880-1936

Made:
1880-1936 in Europe
Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wishbone or gold spring, pessary, in silver and gold

This type of gold wishbone stem pessary is an intra-cervical device (IUC). It was developed in Germany around 1880. Intra-cervical devices came into use as a contraceptive towards the end of the 1800s. The flat end of the stem pessary sat against the vaginal wall with a stem protruding into the uterus through the cervix. An IUC works after conception. It stops a newly fertilised embryo implanting and growing in the lining of the uterus. IUCs were mostly surpassed by the intrauterine device (IUD). An IUD sits entirely within the uterus, reducing the risk of bacterial transfer between the cervix and uterus. This can lead to infection and sterility.

Details

Category:
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Contraception
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A606489
Materials:
gold (metal), silver (metal) and complete
Measurements:
overall: 58 mm x 31 mm 25 mm, .01kg
type:
intra-uterine device
credit:
Marie Stopes Memorial Foundation