The pioneering contraceptive ball that could replace coils

A pioneering contraceptive ball is being hailed as a safe and comfortable alternative to metal coils for thousands of British women. For the first time in 50 years, the intrauterine device (IUD) has been re-imagined in a new device that could remain effective for up to ten years.

The hormone-free Ballerine is shaped like a ball, as opposed to the standard T-shape coil in common use, and it is said to reduce the risk of complications in the uterus.

IUDs are either non-hormonal devices made of copper or those that release a tiny amount of progesterone, and are a popular form of contraception for more than 120,000 UK women.

A pioneering contraceptive ball is being hailed as a safe and comfortable alternative to metal coils for thousands of British women

Once inserted into the uterus, either the copper or the hormones prevent sperm and egg surviving by interrupting the process that allows a fertilised egg to implant.

While all intra-uterine contraceptives are between 90 and 100 per cent effective, the T-shaped design means it can be dislodged when the uterus contracts.

According to gynaecologist Dr Ilan Baram, who developed the Ballerine, this can lead to ‘digging in’ of the uterus, causing pain and increased bleeding in more than 25 per cent of women with one fitted.

In trials, the Ballerine significantly reduced bleeding and pain for 366 women aged 25 to 42 who replaced their regular IUD.

‘This technology succeeded in improving user quality of life,’ said Dr Baram. ‘There are more than 50,000 cases of IUD perforating the uterus annually, with 20 per cent of women opting for removal.’

Clinical trials of the Ballerine in Eastern Europe saw just one woman opt for removal after six months. The secret to its success is the size (half that of traditional IUDs) and circular shape, which ensures the device moulds to each woman’s shape. This is achieved through the use in the Ballerine of Nitinol, a metal with elastic properties already used in implants such as coronary stents.

Nitinol is able to retain a certain shape, making it easy to manoeuvre through the cervix canal, and much less likely to move once in position. Fitting takes 15 minutes and women can choose from two fits according to their uterus size.

IUDs are either non-hormonal devices made of copper or those that release a tiny amount of progesterone, and are a popular form of contraception for more than 120,000 UK women

IUDs are either non-hormonal devices made of copper or those that release a tiny amount of progesterone, and are a popular form of contraception for more than 120,000 UK women

The metal sphere is mounted with copper pearls, coated with protective plastic and works like other IUDs – via a chemical reaction – preventing fertilisation.

The device has been tested for four years, with more than 14,000 fitted in Europe, Israel and Africa.

Developers Ocon Medical plan to offer it to private UK clinics in April, before NHS distribution.

Nick Morris, consultant gynaecologist at London’s Wellington Hospital, welcomed the Ballerine.

‘It’s a clever design that should reduce pain and bleeding,’ he said,

‘IUDs are popular, but for a significant number of women there are complications. This new device appears to get round those.’

Andrea Grgic, 25, from Austria, had a Ballerine fitted three years ago. She said: ‘I wanted to try something non-hormonal and the shape appealed to me. I see my gynaecologist twice a year and she is happy the device is still in place and doing its job.’

HEALTH NOTES: Running off the menu for Michael

Celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr, right, has been ordered by doctors to hang up his running shoes for good, due to agonising joint pain

Celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr, right, has been ordered by doctors to hang up his running shoes for good, due to agonising joint pain

Celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr, right, has been ordered by doctors to hang up his running shoes for good, due to agonising joint pain.

The former Saturday Kitchen presenter, who has completed 21 marathons, says: ‘Specialists have recommended I don’t do another marathon.

‘My joints have started to kill me – my ankles, knees and calves are giving up. My brain says I would love to do another one but my body says no.’

The 57-year-old chef has taken part in the London marathon every year in aid of blindness charity VICTA. But since knee surgery to remove cartilage in 2017, Michel has been unable to train. ‘Running has become so painful that it is no longer a pleasure,’ he says.

‘I ran with a stress fracture one year and the following day my calf was black. Plus, it was the only year that Gordon Ramsay beat me!’

Cold, dark winter days are no longer an excuse for ignoring exercise. New live-streamed workouts from website SOCIALIVE gives access to workouts from fitness instructors around the world, anytime and wherever you are. Live, on-demand workouts are being tipped as the latest generation of trendy exercise classes, and SOCIALIVE is a pay-as-you-go platform which means you can dip in and out of classes such as yoga, dance cardio, HIIT and CrossFit. More details at socialive.tv.

Brewery workers with lots of bottle

A micro brewery that employs workers with disabilities is creating ales to raise awareness of health conditions including autism and Down’s syndrome. Spotlight Brewing in Snaith, East Yorkshire, names its beer after conditions, with labels on bottles explaining them. One More is a pale ale tribute to Down’s syndrome; Spectrum, an IPA, highlights autism; while Fragile X, a Porter, is named after the genetic condition. A fourth beer, Bollingham Bitter, is poignantly named after a friend of owner Ric Wormersley, who died aged 30 from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Ric says: ‘It may require creative thinking but we come up with roles.’ The company drayman was chosen for his social skills while the assistant brewer is an obsessive cleaner, a vital skill in a brewery. spotlightbrewing.co.uk 

Young PTSD sufferers ‘more likely to be obese’ 

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases the risk of obesity and binge-eating for those in their 20s, according to a study involving more than 7,000 people. Research found that of people who had experienced symptoms of PTSD in the past ten years, those aged 22-29 were three times more likely to display continuous binge-eating behaviours. Lead study author Susan Mason says: ‘These findings support the hypotheses suggesting over-consumption of food may be a common coping strategy for those experiencing significant psychological distress.’ 



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