In the first nine months of 2025, the Dutch Reporting Centre for Adverse Effects of Medical Implants (MEBI) received 30 reports of problems with the removal of the Ballerine copper IUD (IUB™ Ballerine® MIDI) in 26 women. Of those women, 18 eventually required surgical removal – sometimes repeatedly. That is why MEBI is advising GPs, midwives and gynaecologists to be alert when removing this type of copper IUD and to be aware of the potential problems that might arise. In addition, MEBI is calling on women and healthcare professionals to report to MEBI if they experience, or have experienced, any problems with the removal of a copper IUD. They can do so at www.rivm.nl/mebi.
Relatively many reports about Ballerine in a short period
Removal problems that have been reported include severe pain during the removal of the copper IUD, embedment of the copper IUD and/or breakage of the IUD threads. In most cases, these problems required surgical removal of the device. Given that MEBI has received relatively many reports about these removal problems associated with the Ballerine copper IUD in a short period, it now informs women and healthcare professionals about the reported removal problems.
Broader insight into health problems associated with copper IUDs
Health problems, including removal problems, can occur with all types of copper IUDs.. MEBI also published a factsheet today about all reports regarding copper IUDs MEBI received since its foundation in 2017. Up to and including the 30th of September 2025, MEBI received 837 reports on various health problems concerning copper IUDs.
Importance of reporting to MEBI
In order to identify potential issues with medical implants at an early stage, it is vital that people report health problems as early as possible when they have reason to assume that these have been caused by a medical implant. This information will allow MEBI to gain more insight into the reported health problems, and hence identify potential issues earlier. Based on these insights, MEBI will inform members of the public, healthcare professionals, researchers, the government and manufacturers about health problems associated with medical implants. Making a report to MEBI is voluntary. As a consequence, the frequency of a side effect cannot be derived from the number of reports that MEBI has received.