A young woman said she woke up in agony after reverting to a copper coil as her preferred contraception method – but was left stunned by what doctors told her.
Milja Maunuvaara said she “trusted it 100%” after making the switch from the pill.
The 28-year-old said the intrauterine device (IUD) “had been recommended as a hormone-free and very reliable option”.
“One night I woke up because of intense pain in my stomach,” she said.
“That had never happened before, I don’t usually get period cramps, but this time the pain was much stronger than anything I’d ever felt.
“After two painful nights, I decided to see a doctor.”
Milja, who lives in the Finnish capital Helsinki, was shocked by what the doctor diagnosed.
“I was asked ‘is it possible you’re pregnant’?” she also told Need To Know.
“I said I had an IUD, but the doctor asked again if I could be.
“After some lab tests, I got a call less than an hour later.
“I was pregnant.”
However, Milja said her hormone levels suggested an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus.
She explained: “They suspected an ectopic pregnancy because my hormone levels were so low.
“I was told to go to the Women’s Clinic immediately.
“At the hospital, an ultrasound confirmed that it was an ectopic pregnancy.
“I was given three options: to wait and see if it would end on its own, to end it with medication, or to have surgery.
“I didn’t want to wait, but I was nervous about surgery, so I chose medication.
“I got an injection in my thigh and the whole thing was over within a day.”
She said the copper IUD had been inserted about 18 months previously.
Before that, Milja used birth control pills for around 10 years.
“The IUD had been recommended as a hormone-free and very reliable option,” she said.
“I completely trusted it, just like I trusted the pill before.
“I never imagined this could happen.
“But it was kind of a relief that the pregnancy was ectopic, because having a child wasn’t something I wanted at the time.”
She had advice for other women using IUDs who experience stomach pains or unusual symptoms.
“Even if the IUD is supposed to be extremely effective, people should still take a pregnancy test if they notice symptoms or if their period is late,” she said.
“It’s important to remember that no method is 100% reliable, and after going through this, I’d recommend choosing what feels right for your body.
“But stay aware of the possible risks.
“Since then, I’ve only used condoms.
“I don’t want to use hormonal contraception anymore, I don’t want to put those kinds of chemicals in my body.”
She added: “I wish there were more non-hormonal options available for women like me.”
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