Nina Pierson ended up in hospital because of Ballerine spiral

Author and entrepreneur Nina Pierson was shocked: she ended up in the hospital because of her Ballerine IUD. On Instagram she writes candidly about the violent event and warns others about the contraceptive.

Four weeks ago Nina had the copper coil Ballerine put in. ‘A hasty decision’, she calls it afterwards. “After three children and becoming pregnant in no time, I didn’t want to think about it anymore,” she writes on Instagram. “I saw something on Radar about 33 reports in 1 year but thought: what are the odds, everything in life comes with risk.” Two weeks after she had it placed by a GP, the coil was suddenly ‘lost’ during an ultrasound. After an X-ray, the spiral appears to be in her abdomen.

Hospitalization by Ballerine spiral

A hospitalization follows. The perforated spiral has to be surgically removed, according to Nina a small but serious procedure. “From the inconveniences beforehand (not being able to ride the bike over bumps, pain in my bladder and stomach) to putting the IV on and being rolled through the hospital in a bed in your blue dress”, she continues. “From the operating room to such a serious operating table. From the beeps and stickers to the oxygen mask (which felt short of breath) and the intubation (ventilation). The general anaesthetic, the gas that was blown into my stomach, the 3 incisions, 1 in my navel and two around my bikini line, the stick that had to root in my uterus, the pain medication and the recovery. ”

Unwanted Pregnancies

After earlier complaints about the Ballerine spiral, the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) an investigation into the contraceptive in July 2021. For example, in some women the IUD fell out (expulsion) or went through the uterine wall (perforation), sometimes resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. These risks are more common with copper coils, but with regard to the Ballerine, more Notification Center Side Effects Implants more reports. Since the CE certificate of the IUD – which means that a medical device meets the legal requirements – is still suspended, no new Ballerine IUDs may be placed on the market for the time being. Spirals that have already been sold by the manufacturer may be installed. ‘Bizarre,’ says Nina. “Most obstetricians and gynaecologists know about this, my GP does not,” says the entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of educating all women about these risks.

Also read: Contraception after pregnancy: these are the options

Other Contraception

In the meantime, the Ballerine spiral has been removed from Nina. “Ah well, he’s out and I’m sure I’ll recover quickly. It could always have been worse, I could also have been pregnant in addition to my perforation…”, she writes. “Then you are stuck with the consequences for the rest of your life. Imagine.” For the time being, she opts for a different method of contraception: ‘Put it on and keep track of my ovulation’. Nina is not the only one with problems because of this copper IUD. Romy Boomsma is also not happy about it. “Really so bad for you. I also had the Ballerine myself but had it removed after a little less than 3 months because I had the feeling that my body did not respond well to the copper IUD (considerably more headache/migraine)”, she says in a response. “I really never want an IUD again, condoms from the Skyn ​​brand are not that annoying, we have not noticed in the past year and a half.”

Research on Ballerine spiral

Investigation by the IGJ in November 2021 showed that the Ballerine coil was not always placed according to the manufacturer’s directions. Sometimes no ultrasound was made to check whether the IUD was in place and the follow-up checks were not always performed. In addition, the manufacturer warns to be extra careful with women who have given birth and/or are breastfeeding less than 36 weeks ago. This IUD is regularly placed in this group. According to the Inspectorate, healthcare providers should have focused more on the safe introduction and application of the spiral. Whether unexpected pregnancies occur more often with the Ballerine than with other copper IUDs is still being investigated. Women with questions about their Ballerine IUD fitted are advised to contact their doctor or midwife.

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