The contraceptive patch, for example Evra®, is a weekly contraceptive method. This can be nice for women who want to check their periods but forget the pill or prefer not to wear a monthly ring in their vagina.

You use the birth control patch like the pill and the contraceptive ring for 3 weeks, followed by a stop week of up to 7 days. A birth control patch is effective for 1 week. This means that a plaster must be applied on the same day every week. With the birth control patch, you can skip, delay, or shift periods.

Did you know?
Is the birth control plaster resistant to contact with water?
Do you need to use the birth control patch on clean, dry, intact and healthy skin? This can be on your stomach, buttocks, upper arm or torso, not on your breasts.

Birth control patch

The contraceptive ring, for example NuvaRing®, is a ring that you place yourself in the vagina every month. With this monthly method you do not have to think about contraception every day, but you do have control over the insertion of the ring. Thanks to that control, you can skip, delay or shift your period.

Did you know?
Inserting the ring is similar to inserting a tampon?
Can you insert it with your hands, but also with a specially designed applicator?

Contraception ring

An IUD is a very reliable form of contraception and can be used in combination with breastfeeding.

Hormone spiral

The hormone spiral contains the hormone progestin which is gradually released to your uterine wall. There are 2 different types of hormone spirals: Mirena® and Kyleena®. The main difference between the two coils is the amount of progestin. The Mirena® contains a total of 52mg hormone compared to 19.5mg in the Kyleena®. The active substance in both coils ensures that the endometrium is no longer (or to a lesser extent) built up and the cervical mucus is thickened. Furthermore, the sperm cells become less mobile due to the release of the hormone and ovulation is suppressed in some women. Together this ensures that the egg and sperm cannot come into contact with each other and fertilization is prevented.

It is important to know that with both hormone IUDs you have no influence on your period because you cannot skip, delay or shift it. In addition, using a hormone spiral can change your period regularly and in quantity (less) or it can even stay away altogether.

Another difference between the Mirena® (32mmx32mm) and the Kyleena® (28mmx30mm) is the size of the spiral. It is a small difference, but if young girls or women who have never given birth want a spiral, the preference is for the Kyleena®.

Both spirals are effective for a maximum period of 5 years.

Placement of a spiral

Echo Eindhoven is specialized in placing spirals. So you can contact us for placing all spirals. You do not need a referral for this.

If you have never given birth, we prefer to place the IUD during a menstrual period because your cervix is ​​slightly open. This facilitates insertion of the spiral. We are also sure that there is no pregnancy at that time. After delivery, we placed the IUD 10 to 12 weeks after delivery.

Before placing the spiral, an ultrasound is first made to determine the position of your uterus and to see if there is no pregnancy. Then the spiral is placed, this only takes a few minutes. Afterwards an ultrasound is made again to see if the spiral is in the right place in the uterus. In addition, we will (if desired) make an appointment for a follow-up. This takes place 6 weeks after the placement of the spiral.

Side effects

You may experience abdominal pain or cramping immediately after inserting the IUD. This is usually short-lived.

The hormone IUD can cause irregular and sometimes prolonged bleeding during the first 3 months. This is usually in the form of “spotting”, a few drops of blood loss or some brownish discharge. The total amount of blood loss is always less than when no hormones are used. The bleeding gradually decreases and in some cases eventually disappear completely.

Since the copper IUD is a method without hormones, you keep your own menstrual pattern. However, the first and sometimes the second menstruation may come a little earlier than usual and be a little more painful or last longer. After 2 or 3 months, your menstrual pattern should be the same as your natural menstrual pattern again.

Reliability after installation

If the Mirena® or the Kyleena® is inserted during menstruation – or at least within 7 days after the start of menstruation – you will be protected against pregnancy immediately after insertion. If this is not the case, it is recommended to use additional contraception, for example a condom, for the first 7 days after placement.

Removal of a spiral

You can also go to Echo Eindhoven for removing a spiral. You can have a spiral removed at any time. After removal you are immediately fertile again. If the spiral is finished and would like to have a new one installed, this is possible.

Did you know?
The IUD is also called Intra-Uterine Device? This literally means “object in the womb”.

Hormone spiral

The implant bar, for example Implanon®, offers 3 years of protection against pregnancy. The stick is placed invisibly in your upper arm and continuously releases a low dose of hormone. The active substance of the Implanon® is etonogestrel (25-75 µg per day).

The implantation rod is a long-term method of contraception, so you no longer have to think about your contraception for 3 years. Placing is a short operation in which you only have to bare your upper arm. After a local anesthetic, the swab is inserted just under the skin of your upper arm using a type of needle. You will no longer see the stick.

With the Implanon® you cannot influence your period because you cannot skip, delay or shift it. In addition, the use of an implantation rod can change your period regularly and in quantity (less) or it can even stay away completely.

Did you know?
The absence of menstruation occurs in 1 in 5 women?
Do you also want to prevent repeated and / or prolonged bleeding in 1 in 5?

Implant bar

The lancing device is available in the Netherlands in two types:

• With an injection into the muscle, for example, Depo-Provera®
  With an injection under the skin, say Sayana®

The lancing device is a reliable form of contraception in which you receive one injection every 3 months. This means you only have to think about your contraception once every 12 weeks. This provides sufficient protection against pregnancy. The injection contains only one type of hormone: progestin.

The lancing device does not have a stop week so you cannot influence your period because you cannot skip, shift or delay it. In addition, using the lancing device can change your period regularly and in quantity (less) or it can even stay away completely. Especially if you are just starting to use the injection, some irregular and longer-lasting blood loss can occur. If you use the injection for more than 6 months, the chance of irregular bleeding decreases and the chance of menstruation disappearing completely increases.

It is important to know that when using the lancing device, fertility can return for a year or even longer. This means that getting pregnant after taking the injection can sometimes take longer.

Did you know?
Long-term use of the lancing device can cause bone loss?
Why is it recommended to take enough calcium and vitamin D?

Lancing device