The intrauterine ball (IUB) is a hormone-free contraceptive for women. Its contraceptive effect lasts for up to five years. Like the copper coil or the frameless IUD, it protects against unwanted pregnancies by releasing copper ions into the uterus. With a Pearl Index of 0.3 to 0.8, it is considered a very safe method of contraception. Moreover, if you have an intrauterine ball fitted you do not have to remember to use a contraceptive regularly.
You can easily make an appointment at VenusMed in Vienna. Either by phone on +43 1 890 80 70, via email at info@venusmed.at or by using our contact form below. We also give appointments at short notice!
According to the current state of knowledge, the intrauterine ball is also suitable for women who have not yet given birth, while the copper coil often is not. The IUB consists of a medical thread that forms a uterus-friendly ball thanks to its “shape memory”. This ball is soft and flexible and therefore also suitable for young women or women with a small uterus.
Effect & expiry period of the intrauterine ball
The use of copper in the uterus for contraception has been tried and tested for decades. Just like the copper coil or frameless IUD, the intrauterine ball is completely hormone-free and provides protection immediately after fitting.
It is a safe contraceptive that consistently remains effective for up to 5 years by continuously releasing a small amount of copper ions into the uterus. These not only prevent the fertilisation process in uterus and fallopian tubes, but also inhibit the motility of sperm. Once you have the intrauterine ball fitted, there is no risk of forgetting to regularly take your contraception, as it may be the case with the pill, for example.
Another advantage of this hormone-free contraception method is that your fertility will be restored immediately after the IUB is removed by your doctor – even if it is removed well before its expiry. Therefore, despite the intrauterine ball’s long effectiveness, you can get pregnant easily after its removal, should you want to get pregnant before its five-year protection expires.
Intrauterine ball vs. copper coil
Unlike the rather stiff copper coil, the intrauterine ball is soft and flexible. It consists of a medical thread with copper beads on it. This thread has a so-called “shape memory”, which gives the intrauterine ball great flexibility as it always reshapes back into a uterus-friendly ball. While the copper coil has quite sharp edges, the IUB does not and therefore cannot injure the uterine wall. What is more, it also has no “fixed place” in the womb which allows it to gently adapt to the movements of the uterus. Hence, unlike the copper coil, the IUB is also suitable for young women, women with a smaller uterus, or women who have not yet given birth.
Fitting & removal of the intrauterine ball
To fit the IUB into your uterus, your doctor will insert a narrow tube into your vagina. Since it is a flexible medical thread, the IUB adjusts to the form of the insertion tube and will therefore be straight at first. Once placed into the uterus, its stent technology (“shape memory”) will transform it into a flexible and uterus-friendly ball. Most women tolerate the fitting of the IUB well and perceive it as mostly painless due to the small diameter of the tube.
You can easily make an appointment at VenusMed in Vienna. Either by phone on +43 1 890 80 70, via email at info@venusmed.at or by using our contact form below. We also give appointments at short notice!
Once the IUB has been fitted and positioned properly, you will not be able to feel it during sexual intercourse, since it is inside the uterus. In rare cases, the only thing that your sexual partner might be able to feel are the IUB’s soft, transparent plastic threads if these are a bit too long.
If this is the case, your doctor can easily shorten them. Moreover, if you have an intrauterine ball fitted, you can continue to use tampons and menstrual cups as usual.
When it is time for the removal of your intrauterine ball, your doctor will use the transparent plastic threads to gently pull it out. This only takes a short time and usually happens without any issues. Most women do not perceive the removal as painful.
Side effects of the intrauterine ball
The most common possible side effects of the intrauterine ball are prolonged, heavier menstruations and spotting, which may occur in the first 3 to 6 months after fitting. However, this bleeding is not dangerous and will decrease over time until it eventually disappears in most women after about 3-6 months.
Costs of the intrauterine ball
| Service | Length of contraceptive effect | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Intrauterine ball (IUB) | 5 years | 520 € |
Of course, we accept payment in cash and by debit- (Maestro) or credit card.
Of course, we accept payment in cash and by debit- (Maestro) or credit card.
FAQs about the intrauterine ball (IUB)
We charge 520 € for fitting the intrauterine ball. Since the IUB’s contraceptive effect lasts for five years, the annual cost of contraception is 104 €.
Unlike the spiral, the intrauterine ball has no “fixed place” that it should maintain in the uterus. Much rather, it is even allowed to shift and move. Together with its elasticity and gentle nature, these qualities constitute the IUB’s unique advantages. The intrauterine ball is neither rigid and sharp-edged like the copper coil, nor is it anchored to the wall of the uterus like the frameless IUD. That way, it can gently shift along with the movements of the uterus.
As the copper ball works according to the principle of the stent technology, it has a so-called “shape memory” and therefore always finds its way back into its flexible spherical shape.
The frameless IUD which has a similar effect to the intrauterine ball and the copper coil (IUD), particularly differs from its two counterparts in how it is attached. The frameless IUD is a thread with copper beads that is pinned to the wall of the uterus with a needle. The intrauterine ball also consists of a medical thread with copper beads, but as the name suggests, it is shaped like a ball. It sits in the womb without any anchoring. Therefore, it can flexibly and gently move with the body. Thanks to its shape memory it always finds its way back into its spherical shape. This makes the IUB particularly gentle and uterus-friendly.
In the end, every woman has to decide for herself which contraceptive method is the most suitable for her – but the copper ball is particularly attractive for many, since it does not need any anchoring in the uterus, has no sharp edges and adapts to the womb’s anatomy.
The use of copper ions in the uterus is a contraceptive technique that has been tried and tested for decades. The intrauterine ball itself has not been on the market for very long, however, it is assumed that its contraceptive safety is at around 99%, with a Pearl Index of 0.3 to 0.8. This is the same effectiveness as a correctly taken birth control pill.
Furthermore, once you have the intrauterine ball fitted, you do not need to remember to take a contraceptive for 5 years – because once the IUB has been fitted, it does its job all by itself.
The intrauterine ball has a Pearl Index of 0.3 to 0.8, which means that among 1000 women, 3 to 8 fall pregnant within a year. Just like with any other contraceptive, there is a small chance for an unwanted pregnancy, but it is very unlikely.
However, if you do decide to have children before the expiry of the IUB’s five-year contraceptive effect, you can have it removed at any time by a doctor, after which your fertility will be restored immediately.
Terminology
For doctors, medical terms are important and a matter of course. However, the terminology can often puzzle patients. In our glossary we explain the medical terms which are often used in our clinic environment.
Contact
You can simply contact us by phone on +43 1 890 80 70, or via email at info@venusmed.at. From Mo-Fr between 11 am and 5 pm you can also directly come by VenusMed in the medical centre Schwedenplatz, Laurenzerberg 2, 1010 Vienna.