The IUD
There are two types of spirals, the hormonal IUD and the copper IUD.
THE HORMONE IUD
The hormone IUD releases hormones locally in your uterus. The coil makes the mucus in the cervical canal 'tougher', making it more difficult for sperm to pass through. The release of the hormone levenorgestrel prevents sperm cells from moving and functioning normally in the uterus. This reduces the chance of fertilisation. In addition, ovulation is suppressed in some women. If no egg cell is released, fertilisation cannot take place. Furthermore, the endometrium (the 'lining' of the uterus) is hardly built up. Should fertilisation have occurred, it still cannot implant. Since the endometrium is built up less or no longer, menstruation often becomes lighter and less painful. It may take up to six months before you notice this effect. In the first months after implantation, you may experience intermittent blood loss. In the beginning, this can be prolonged, making it seem as if your period lasts several weeks. After three to six months this will decrease to a few days of blood loss per month. With a hormone IUD you cannot influence the timing of your period, because you cannot skip it, shift it or postpone it. The hormone IUD can be safely used while breastfeeding.
There are two types of hormone IUD's:
MIRENA
The Mirena IUD ensures that approximately 20 times less hormones enter your blood than with the contraceptive pill. Because of the localised effect there are very few side effects. Changes in body weight, headache complaints, nausea, tight breasts and mood changes may occur, but they usually diminish or disappear after a while. One year after the implantation, about 75% of the women have only a light period for two days per month, while 20% have no loss of blood at all.
More information about the Mirena.
KYLEENA
This one contains about half as little hormones as the Mirena IUD, but if you look at the amount of hormones released into the uterus each day, it's only 15-20% less. Despite this, the hormonal side effects and reliability (around 99.8%) of both spirals seem almost the same. It is possible that due to the smaller amount of hormones the effect of reducing menstruation is slightly smaller. If you have a light or normal period, then the effects will probably be the same. In terms of size, the Kyleena is slightly smaller and has a narrower insertion sleeve. Especially for women who haven't had children (yet) this can be an advantage.
More information about the Kyleena.
THE COPPER IUD
Copper paralyzes sperm cells and makes them inactive. This prevents the fertilisation of an egg cell. As the copper IUD is a method without hormones, you retain your natural menstrual pattern. A copper IUD is less suitable for women who suffer from cramps or greater blood loss with their natural cycle, as the first few periods can be a little heavier than normal. Bleeding may come a little earlier than usual, your bleeding may be heavier, menstruation may be more painful, or it may last a little longer. After a few months, the menstrual pattern is back to normal for most women. The copper coil can be safely used while breastfeeding.
The most commonly used copper IUD is the T-safe.
T-SAFE
The T-Safe is the most commonly used copper coil in the Netherlands and offers 10 years protection against pregnancy. The T-safe copper spiral is a very reliable form of contraception without hormones. The side effects are minimal, and the chance of pregnancy is virtually nil (reliability: >99%).
The T-Safe has a T-shape and is made of plastic (polyethylene) and copper. There are two nylon threads attached to the coil, which are needed to remove it later. Neither the IUD nor the wires can be felt during intercourse.
More information about the T-safe.
THE COST OF AN IUD
Most health insurers reimburse the cost of an IUD, but sometimes this is deducted from your policy excess. Check your policy conditions for this. You usually must pay the costs of purchasing the IUD yourself, but sometimes they are reimbursed by an additional insurance policy.
- Placement or removal of a spiral: € 67.01 (rate 2021)
- Mirena: € 147.47
- Kyleena: € 153,91
- T-Safe Copper IUD: € 70.95
WHEN CAN AN IUD BE PLACED?
If you have just given birth, an IUD can be placed 10 weeks after the delivery. If you are breastfeeding it is better to wait at least 12 weeks after the birth. If you have no children yet or the delivery was a little longer ago, then the IUD can best be inserted during the first days of a menstruation.
The IUD can be inserted by the midwife during the IUD consultation at PUUR. Please contact us to make an appointment and for information by telephone.
The assistant will order the coil for you at our online pharmacy. You will then receive a payment link by e-mail and SMS. After you have paid for the IUD, the pharmacy will ensure that it is sent to us on time.
