On March 17, 2025, the TV program Radar focused on pregnancies and other (health) complaints that occur with the use of copper IUDs, specifically the Ballerine IUD. After this broadcast, the Reporting and Expertise Center for Implant Side Effects (MEBI) of the RIVM received 94 new reports. Most of these (88) were about a copper IUD. Pregnancy was reported a total of 47 times. In 13 reports concerning a pregnancy, it was about a Ballerine IUD.
Detailed information about the reports will follow after a thorough analysis at a later time. The figures mentioned above are based on the reports received until March 31, 2025.
Voluntary Reporting
The MEBI uses a voluntary reporting system for suspected health complaints (side effects) of implants. In addition to copper IUDs, this also includes heart and vascular implants, knee and hip prostheses, or breast implants. Since reporting to MEBI is voluntary and depends on the health complaints reported by the reporter, the number of reports does not reflect how often a health complaint actually occurs.
Citizens and Healthcare Providers Can Report
Suspicions of health complaints due to implants (including copper IUDs) can be reported via Reporting and Expertise Center for Implant Side Effects. Reporting can be done by both citizens and healthcare providers.