More and more women want to get off the pill and opt for an IUD. The IUD is a very reliable contraceptive that protects you against pregnancy for five to ten years. How exactly is an IUD placed and what about the costs? You can read that in this article.
The IUD, also called an Intra-Uterine Device (IUD), is a T-shaped anchor that is placed in the uterus. This form of birth control has many advantages. That way you don't have to think about the use of contraception for at least five years. Your fertility is not affected; If you have the IUD removed, you are immediately fertile again. Disadvantages are that an IUD does not protect against STDs, having an IUD fitted can be experienced as painful and you cannot 'plan' your period with an IUD. There are two types of IUDs to choose from:a copper IUD or a hormone IUD. The effect of both types is different. Which of the two IUDs is suitable differs per person.
Copper IUD
A copper IUD contains no hormones. This IUD is therefore very suitable for women who are hypersensitive to hormones or who prefer not to use hormones for other reasons. The core of the copper IUD is made of plastic and this core is wrapped with copper. The copper ensures that a fertilized egg can no longer implant itself in the endometrium and that the sperm cells of the man become inactive. The reliability of a copper coil is 99%.
Hormone IUD
In the core of the hormonal IUD is a hormone reservoir. This releases the hormone progestin. However, it is a small amount of progestin. Due to the local effect, much less progestogen enters your blood than with other contraception with hormones. This causes a tougher mucus plug to form, making it difficult for the man's sperm cells to pass through the cervix. In addition, the endometrium becomes unsuitable for the implantation of a fertilized egg. Due to the hormonal IUD, menstruation decreases in many women, or does not stop at all. That is why this IUD is very suitable for women with a very heavy menstrual period. The hormonal IUD has a reliability of 99.9%.
Before the IUD is placed, a preliminary examination is always carried out to see whether an IUD is suitable for you. During this preliminary examination, the depth and the uterus are examined. In addition, an STI test is performed, because placing an IUD in someone with an STI can cause inflammation and infertility. An IUD is also not suitable if you have certain diseases such as breast cancer or liver disease, abnormalities in the uterus or infections in the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Do you want to have an IUD placed? Then go to your doctor first. He or she can place the IUD himself during a follow-up consultation, or refer you to a gynaecologist. If you have the IUD placed by your GP, you will receive a prescription and you can pick up the IUD yourself at the pharmacy. If you have the IUD placed by a gynaecologist, the IUD will be supplied by the hospital. Usually the IUD is placed during or immediately after menstruation. Because the cervix is more flexible during this period, the IUD can be placed more easily. Moreover, you know for sure that you are not pregnant. It is wise to take paracetamol or ibuprofen before inserting the IUD to prevent abdominal cramps during the treatment.
How is the IUD placed? First, a duckbill is inserted to open the cervix. The IUD is then pushed inwards with the aid of a sleeve. This sleeve is then removed again, the IUD remains in place. Two threads remain hanging from the cervix, which are attached to the IUD. With the help of these wires – which are cut to size – the IUD can be removed later. You are protected against pregnancy immediately after the insertion of the IUD. Some women experience side effects after IUD insertion, such as abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, light bleeding, breast pain and acne. Six weeks after the insertion of the IUD, you should come back for another check-up. The GP or gynecologist will then check whether the IUD is still in place.
The IUD works for five to ten years. It is therefore recommended to have the IUD removed after five years. Earlier, you can always, if you want to become pregnant. If you switch to another form of contraception, you should start using this one week before removing the IUD. You can still get pregnant from sexual intercourse in the week before the IUD is removed. If you have a new IUD placed, you don't have to worry about this. You will then remain protected against pregnancy.
What about the costs for the IUD and the reimbursement from the health insurance? That depends on your age, the type of IUD and who you have it fitted by. A hormone IUD usually costs about 160 euros, while for a copper IUD you often only spend about 70 euros. If you are younger than 21, the IUD will be reimbursed from the basic insurance. You have to pay a deductible for this. If you are older than 21, the IUD will not be reimbursed from the basic insurance. You can take out additional insurance for this.
If you have the IUD fitted by your GP, the insertion will be fully reimbursed from the basic insurance. There is no deductible for this either. So you only pay the costs for the IUD. If you go to a gynaecologist, the costs for having the IUD placed are on average 375 euros, excluding the IUD. These costs are deducted from your deductible if you are younger than 21 years old. If you are older than 21, you must pay these costs yourself or take out supplementary insurance. If you are younger than 18, you can have the IUD fitted completely free of charge. You do not have to pay a deductible.
Are you older than 21 and do you want to take out additional insurance for the placement of the IUD? Then comparing health insurance is wise. This way you can be sure that you are not paying too much for your health insurance. Do you not use any other care from the supplementary package? Then calculate what is more expensive; additional insurance or having the IUD fitted.
