“For the past 3 weeks I have had sporadic bouts of severe nausea. At first, I thought it was the summer heat and pregnancy never crossed my mind as I am on the Mirena IUD which is supposedly 99% effective.
However, as nausea persisted and worsened, I started to get worried so decided to take a test just to be on the safe side. Since my local pharmacist is quite well acquainted with my family I decided to go and purchase the test from a pharmacy in another village.
When I asked for the test the pharmacist asked me whether I had missed my last period. I explained that I am on the Mirena IUD and that I do not get regular periods or periods at all for that matter but have been experiencing severe nausea recently so just wanted to take a test to be on the safe side.
Out of curiosity I asked her what I should do if I was pregnant, explaining that I had no intention of being pregnant or having a baby (hence why I was on contraception). She proceeded to tell me, “Don’t worry if you are pregnant, I suggest you go and speak to your gynae and she will take it out.” To which I responded, “What, the foetus?” She looked at me shocked and said, “No, the Mirena IUD.”
I was so afraid that it took me 3 days to pluck up the courage to take a test. Travel to other countries from Malta is currently restricted because of Covid-19 and 2-week mandatory quarantines are being enforced on travellers from Malta all over Europe.
Thankfully the result was negative. I do not know what I would have done if I was pregnant. There are no options in Malta and other than the pro-choice organisations there seems to be no one professional to turn to for help or guidance.”
- 26 year old from Balzan