IUB Ballerine

The Ballerine was first launched in Austria in 2014 and is available in most of Europe, parts of Africa and the Middle East. It was due to launch on the NHS in the UK in 2020, but like many things in life, this was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

No, the Ballerine does not contain hormones. It prevents pregnancy by releasing copper into the womb, which prevents the sperm and egg from meeting and from a fertilised egg implanting in the womb.

On the whole, the IUB is very safe. However, there’s a small risk that on insertion the IUB may go through the wall of the womb and ‘perforate’ it. If this happens, then you may need surgery to remove it but this is rare. Following insertion, there is also a slight risk of infection which may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have unusual or smelly discharge, abdominal or pelvic pain, a high temperature or chills, you should contact your doctor. In the rare circumstance you become pregnant whilst using the IUB there’s a small increased risk of ectopic pregnancy – when the egg implants outside the womb, normally the fallopian tubes. However, the overall risk of ectopic pregnancy is less in women using an IUB or coil than in women using no contraception at all. It's important to remember that it does not protect you from STIs.