A 28-year-old woman, Milja Maunuvaara, was surprised to discover she was pregnant despite having the copper coil inserted. The pregnancy turned out to be ectopic, a condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus due to low hormone levels. Despite having trusted the copper coil as a reliable hormone-free option, Milja experienced intense stomach pains in September, leading her to seek medical help. An ultrasound confirmed her pregnancy.
Having been on contraceptive pills for a decade before switching to the copper coil, Milja expressed her shock at the situation but found some relief in the ectopic nature of the pregnancy, as she was not ready to have a child at that time. Upon confirmation of the ectopic pregnancy, Milja was presented with three options: waiting for it to resolve naturally, ending it with medication, or opting for surgery. She chose the medication route and underwent a swift process to terminate the pregnancy.
Reflecting on her experience, Milja emphasized the importance of taking a pregnancy test if any symptoms arise or if menstrual cycles are irregular, despite the high effectiveness of the IUD. She now opts for condom use with her partner and avoids birth control pills due to concerns about chemicals in her body.
While the NHS asserts the copper coil’s effectiveness of over 99% when used correctly, it also highlights the efficacy of other contraceptive methods. The NHS recommends free insertion of the copper coil at sexual health clinics and certain GP surgeries, where medical history is assessed during the initial consultation.