Milja Maunuvaara, originally from Helsinki, Finland, said she was 100% confident in the intrauterine device (IUD) after it was “recommended as a hormone-free and very reliable option.”
A young woman was stunned when she was told she was pregnant, despite having the copper coil fitted.
Milja Maunuvaara, 28, had an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often due to low hormone levels. However, she had had the copper coil, an intrauterine device (IUD), 18 months earlier and “trusted it 100%.”
There were no problems until September, when Milja, from Helsinki, Finland, experienced intense stomach pains one morning. These persisted for two days, so Milja went to see her GP, who suggested that the woman might be pregnant; an ultrasound finally confirmed that this was the case.
Milja, who had been taking birth control pills for about 10 years before opting for copper ones, said: “The IUD was recommended as a hormone-free and very reliable option,” she said. I trusted her completely, just as I trusted the pill before.
“I never imagined this could happen. But it was a relief that the pregnancy was ectopic, because having a child was not something I wanted at that time.”
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Milja was given three options when scans confirmed the pregnancy was ectopic. The doctors said he could wait and see if it would end on its own, end it with medication, or have surgery.
“I didn’t want to wait, but I was nervous about surgery, so I chose medication. They gave me an injection in my thigh and it was all over in one day,” she said.
“Even though the IUD is supposed to be extremely effective, people should take a pregnancy test if they notice symptoms or if their period is late. It’s important to remember that no method is 100% reliable, and after going through this, I would recommend choosing what feels right for your body.”
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Since her experience, the young woman has always used a condom with her partner. She continues to avoid birth control pills because she is concerned about her “body chemicals.”
But here, the NHS insists on the copper coil being over 99% to prevent pregnancy if used correctly all the time. It lists other pills, which it says are more than 90% effective, and states that while condoms reduce the transmission of STIs, they are less effective at preventing pregnancy because of the risks.
Women can install the copper coil for free at sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries. A doctor or nurse will ask women about their medical history at the initial appointment, the NHS states on its website.
