Update your sexual health

State of the art contraception care for you and your body

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The IUD clinic has moved!

We've moved to 22190 48 Ave City of Langley, BC V3A 3N5
Visit our new location →

Our
Mission

You want what works best for your body and lifestyle—so do we. Our expertise is in women’s wellness, education, and empowerment with a focus on modern contraception and sexual health. This includes IUDs, subdermal implants, HPV, Pap testing, and more. There are many significant medical advances, and we are here for guidance and support. Let’s connect and explore the best choices for your unique health and success.

about us

Clinic Safety Update

Access to contraception is considered an essential service, and we are here for you. We are open by appointment only to manage our health and safety and physical distancing protocols. Find the complete health and safety plan on the Referral Form and Instructions Page. Consultations for treatments are currently online only and you must have a referral from a doctor. Please call our women's clinic at 604-546-2190 with any questions.

SOGC Updated Statement on Contraception during a Pandemic

Our Services

IUD Insertion,
Removal & CareSubdermal Implants (Insertion & Removal)
HPV Co-testing, Pap and STI ServicesLARC Training for Health Care Providers (IUDs)Esthetics ( coming soon)

" Dr. Gerber was polite and professional . She is clearly an expert in what she does. She was quick and gentle in removing my IUD. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for IUD services." 

CS (patient), July 2020

" I have been seeing Dr. Gerber since 2016. She is pleasant, polite, and professional. She has a great sense of humor too. I really appreciate her COVID precautions in the waiting room and consulting rooms. Her front-end staff are friendly and helpful."

LS (patient), September 2020

" I was due to have my Mirena IUD changed, and my GP referred me to the IUD Clinic instead of doing it again himself. I found Dr. Gerber to be very informative and extremely thorough. Follow up visits and ultrasound to check for proper placement are all new to this experience for me and this is my third time having the Mirena IUD. Learning about side effects and being provided with lots of support and follow up makes me realize that my GP should have referred me to The IUD Clinic 10 years ago when I first decided to use an IUD."

SD (patient), March 2020

" Dr. Gerber was not only helpful in not only providing a hands-on experience, but that she also took the time to familiarize me with some of the physician and patient supports available."

MK (Family Physician), November 2020

"It was a very good learning experience and should definitely continue to be offered as an elective for our residents. The experience at The IUD Clinic was amazing! Dr. Gerber is a great instructor (calm, supportive and professional) and her clinic is well organized. I worked alongside her for two days."

JL (Family Medicine Resident) , September 2020

“It was a very good learning experience and should definitely continue to be offered as an elective for our residents. The experience at the IUD clinic was amazing! Dr Gerber is a great instructor (calm, supportive and professional) and her clinic is very well organized. I worked alongside her for two days.” 


Family Resident SOGC IUC Preceptorship Program

“...Dr. Gerber was helpful in not only providing a hands on experience, but that she also took the time to familiarize her with some of the physician and patient support in place. In summary, the experience was nothing short of excellent.”

Family Resident (SOGC IUC Preceptorship Program)

Long-acting reversible contraception like IUDs and Nexplanon ® Subdermal Implants are the buzz right now, and for several good reasons. There are many significant medical advances, and we are here for guidance and support. Connect with our women's clinic and explore the best options for you.

How reliable are different forms of contraception?

The above chart shows the number of pregnancies for each method. Perfect use is derived from clinical trials and does not represent real-life outcomes. Typical use failure rates are real to life.
So what are the main differences?

What are the main differences between the IUD and the subdermal implant?

Both methods are excellent forms of birth control.‍

  • Nexplanon ® is 99.95%  and last for 3 years
  • Hormonal IUDs are 99.8%  and last for 5 years
  • Copper IUDs are 99.2% effective and last 3, 5 or 10 years depending on the type
IUDs are placed inside the uterus and impact the uterine lining while the subdermal implant (Nexplanon ®) is placed under the skin of the upper arm and works by inhibiting ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary).
You will be able to predict your menstrual bleeding pattern with IUDs i.e. with a non-hormonal Copper IUD you will have a regular cycle whereas with a hormonal IUD you are more likely to have light spotting or no bleeding at all.
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With Nexplanon ® your bleeding pattern could become longer, shorter, infrequent, more frequent and the flow might stay the same or become heavier, lighter, or could stop altogether.
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IUDs are placed inside the uterus and are very discrete.
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Nexplanon ® is placed under the skin of the upper arm. It is very discrete, yet it is still easy for you to feel it under the skin of your arm with your fingertips. It feels like a small flexible rod about the length of a matchstick.

Some women gravitate towards one form based on the type of procedure used to place the device and other women might lean towards intrauterine (inside the uterus) versus subdermal (under the skin).

Cost might be a factor.

Generally Copper IUDs are the least expensive ( ~ / approx. $140), Hormonal IUDs cost ( ~ / approx. $430) and Nexplanon ® costs ( ~ / approx. $360).

If you need further information, the experts at the IUD clinic in Langley would be happy to guide you. 

What is an IUD? 
‍An intrauterine device (IUD) can be a good option for many women especially if you forgot to take your birth control pill, patch or ring or if you can not take estrogen-like women who are breastfeeding, smoke cigarettes, or have migraine headaches with aura, or hypertension. It is usually a quick procedure and you can return to your daily activities immediately afterward.
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It is reversible and once removed a woman's fertility will resume immediately. Once placed inside the uterus the IUD can stay inside the uterus for up to 3, 5, 7, or 10 years depending on what type you have.
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They do not rely on you having to take something or needing regular prescriptions unlike the pill, patch, ring, or injection methods which rely on a woman’s memory.
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IUDs are a highly effective low-maintenance, easily forgettable, and reversible method of contraception that is recommended as a first-line option for all sexually active women and teenagers.

It is a small T-shaped device that is placed inside your uterus at a clinic by a Health Care provider who is trained to do the procedure.
Types Of IUDs Offered In Our IUD Clinic inLangley

There are two styles of IUDs available in Canada. Hormonal/progesterone-based IUDs (Mirena or Kyleena) or non-hormonal Copper IUD.

Mirena and Kyleena IUD continuously release low levels of levonorgestrel, which is a progestin much like the hormone progesterone produced by the ovaries. Levonorgestrel thickens cervical mucous,so sperm and ovum do not meet. It also thins the lining of the uterus, which means your periods will become lighter and might stop altogether making it an excellent choice for women with heavy periods or for athlete’s or any women wanting to avoid menstrual bleeding.

‍Non-hormonal/copper-based IUDs release copper into the uterus and prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from fertilizing an egg and reducing sperm movement. The copper which is released inside the uterus can make the periods last longer, or they might become more painful and /or heavier. CopperIUDs are an excellent choice for women who prefer to avoid hormones for whatever reason. Copper IUDs are a popular method for breastfeeding women, women with depression who might want to avoid hormones that might alter mood.

Copper IUDs can be used for emergency contraception if placed within 7 days of unprotected intercourse.
Copper IUD
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  • No hormone
  • 99.2% - 99.4% Effective
  • 8 in 1000 get pregnant
  • Does not contain estrogen
  • In some cases decreases the risk of getting endometrial cancer
  • May increase menstrual bleeding & cramping by 10% - 20%
  • Effective contraception up to 7 days after unprotected sex
$~140 for 5-Year Duration
Mirena ©
Hormonal IUS
  • 52mg Levonorgestrel
  • 99.9% Effective
  • 2 in 1000 get pregnant
  • Does not contain estrogen
  • May decrease endometriosis and precancerous cells
  • Descrease menstrual bleeding, sometimes stopping completely
  • Not effective emergency contraception
$~440 for 5-Year Duration
Kyleena ©
Hormonal IUS
  • 19.5mg Levonorgestrel
  • 99.5% Effective
  • 2 in 1000 get pregnant
  • Does not contain estrogen
  • May decrease endometriosis and precancerous cells
  • Decreases menstrual bleeding, sometimes stopping completely
  • Not effective emergency contraception
$~435 for 5-Year Duration

Is Our IUD Clinic in Langley Right For You?

If you're not sure which IUD to choose or whether you should consider Nexplanon® Subdermal Implant, you are not alone.

We are here to help provide you with the information you need to guide you , as well as assist you in gaining confidence in your contraceptive decisions.

IUDs and Nexplanon® Contraceptive Implant, simply put, are the most effective non-permanent methods of birth control.

Getting pregnant unexpectedly or at the wrong time in a woman's life can be very traumatic. Taking the  big step towards effective contraception can allow you to focus on your personal and occupational goals, without any major surprises.

The following position statements have been made by Canadian and International Societies regarding the use of IUDs and Nexplanon® Subdermal Implants:

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), recommend Long-Acting reversible contraception as the first-line contraceptive choice for preventing pregnancy for all sexually active women.

The Canadian Pediatric Society states that "intrauterine methods of contraception" should be the first-line birth control for youth as these methods have the lowest failure rate and are first-tier options.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognizes reproductive and sexual health care as a fundamental human right.
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If you need further information, the staff at our IUD clinic in Langley would be happy to guide you.

We require referrals for all services which can be requested from your Family Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, walk-in women's clinic or using a virtual clinic platform.
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Click here to download the referral form. Phone 604–546-2190 (Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am till 4 pm). We are closed on all Statutory Holidays.
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Contact

The IUD Women’s Clinic
22190 48 Ave City of Langley,
BC V3A 3N5

T: 604-546-2190
F: 604-409-3979

Clinic Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00AM to 4:00PM
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Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
(Closed all Statutory Holidays)

© 2021 The IUD Women's Clinic (Dr. Michelle Gerber). All Rights Reserved.
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