Here you will find all answers to frequently asked questions about the IUB™ Ballerine®. The following information does not replace the patient information leaflet, which entails important details about what to consider when using this medical device, in what circumstances it must not be used and which side effects can occur.
Hormone-free high-tech-contraception for 5 years. The IUB™ Ballerine® is a birth control method that requires no hormones and is effective for up to 5 years.
The IUB™ Ballerine® works locally along the same principle as other intrauterine devices and prevents pregnancy. The contraceptive effect comes mainly from the copper.
As soon as the IUB™ Ballerine® is inserted in your uterus, it starts releasing small amounts of copper to provide continuous birth control for up to 5 years. The method of action is similar to standard copper intrauterine devices.
It is believed that copper IUDs achieve their primary contraceptive effect by interference with sperm motility and fertilization of an egg, and possibly prevention of implantation.
The efficacy of the IUB™ Ballerine® is over 99%* in pregnancy prevention.
During sexual intercourse you and your partner should not feel the IUB™ Ballerine® when inserted correctly. If you or your partner can feel the strings, your health care provider can shorten them.
The hormone-free IUB™ Ballerine® is inserted in your uterus during an office visit after an individual consultation by your health care provider. Your health care provider first examines you to find the position of your uterus.
After measuring your uterus, the IUB™ Ballerine® is carefully inserted through a thin tube. The tube is removed and the IUB™ Ballerine® remains inside your uterus where it finds its ideal position and becomes active immediately. The correct position of the IUB™ Ballerine® can be checked with ultrasound examination. Two threads extend into your vagina. The threads are trimmed to minimize discomfort.
The best time for the placement is during your menstruation when the cervix is more open and the possibility of being pregnant is low. Two months after the placement, a check up examination should be done. After that, a yearly check-up with your health care provider is recommended.
The placement of the IUB™ Ballerine® can be painful especially if the cervix is very tight. You can ask your health care provider to use pain medication 1 hour prior to the insertion.
Immediately after insertion, cramping or menstrual type bleeding can occur. Some women feel faint, nauseated, or dizzy for a few minutes afterwards. No grounds for worry – the uterus needs time to adapt to the new situation. Any pain usually subsides quickly. Should pain continue, please consult your health care provider.
After placement of the IUB™ Ballerine® heavier, longer periods and spotting between periods can occur – most of these side effects diminish after 2-3 months. Once your uterus gets used to the IUB™ Ballerine® these side effects should occur less frequently.
Rarely, the IUB™ Ballerine® goes through the wall of the uterus, especially during placement. This is called
perforation. If the IUB™ Ballerine® perforates the uterus, it should be removed. Surgery may be needed. If the IUB™ Ballerine® perforates the uterus, you are not
protected from pregnancy.
The IUB™ Ballerine® may partially or completely fall out of the uterus. This is called expulsion. Women who have never been pregnant may be more likely to expel the IUB™ Ballerine® than women who have been pregnant before.
Please refer to the patient information leaflet for the full list of possible side effects that can occur.
You should not use the IUB™ Ballerine® if you:
Contact your health care provider if you: