A delivery vehicle for a silver ion source such as silver nitrate and the
like, suitable for use in the treatment of menorrhagia, comprises a
plurality of physiologically inert beads bearing a tissue cauterizing
amount of a silver ion source. Preferably the beads are made of a
physiologically inert polymer, ceramic or stainless steel. The silver ion
source preferably is silver nitrate and can be substantially pure silver
nitrate, or can comprise silver nitrate in combination with a
physiologically tolerable binder or a diluent. Suitable binders include
physiologically tolerable synthetic polymeric binders, polysaccharide
binders, and the like. Diluents can include other salt materials such as
potassium nitrate. The beads are useful in treating menorrhagia of a
mammalian uterus. The beads can be delivered to the uterus via a
catheter, and are distributed throughout the uterine cavity by uterine
massage or like expedient. Silver ions are delivered to the endometrium
and cause necrosis of the endometrial tissue. The silver ions remaining
within the uterine cavity can then be neutralized with a sodium chloride
solution delivered to the uterus e.g., by catheter, and the beads
recovered from the uterus.