What is the difference to the spiral?
The copper chain is often referred to as the further development of the classic spiral. The first difference between the spiral and the chain is the anchoring. A copper chain is anchored in the uterine wall, while a spiral remains in the uterus without any fixation due to its shape and small re-hooks.
There are also different forms of the spiral. Some contain hormones and others are only made of copper. The copper chain is always hormone-free.Due to the shape of the copper chain, it can be used even on a very small, young uterus, while young girls often complain about pain when wearing a coil.
In the first period after application, the copper chain is more likely to be rejected than the copper spiral because the muscle must first develop complete fixation. The wearing comfort is described as higher with the copper chain, because there are no rehooks in the uterus. The other side effects, such as increased menstrual bleeding, are similar for the copper chain and the copper coil. Which contraceptive method is more suitable for the individual patient should be discussed with the treating gynaecologist.
- Spiral
What is the difference to the copper ball?
The copper ball is, similar to the copper chain, a thread with several copper balls. However, this thread rolls up in the uterus to form a ball and is therefore too large to be expelled through the cervix. Therefore, the copper ball does not require any fixation and the procedure is less painful. All other side effects are very similar to the copper chain. The cost of the copper ball is about 500 Euros more than the cost of the copper chain, but it is still one of the cheaper contraceptive methods.
Is it possible to do an MRT with a copper chain?
During magnetic resonance imaging, no magnetic metals may be in the room, as they are accelerated and can cause injuries. Pure copper is non-magnetic and therefore completely unproblematic for an MRI scan. A copper chain consists of pure copper and therefore does not present an obstacle to an MRI. However, the physician should be told about the copper chain, otherwise the evaluation and interpretation of the images may be distorted.
