While I’ve never had an IUD I experienced exactly this with an endometrial biopsy for post menopausal bleeding. I was in no way prepared for the pain and cramping. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I was really traumatized and literally drove home tearful and in shock. I’m a now retired RN and I’ll never forget it.
This was my biopsy experience as well, and I loved my OB up until then. I left traumatized, in shock and feeling betrayed. A second biopsy years later by a different female OB was no better, and she treated me with some frustration. I am not pain intolerant- my second delivery was a med free & vaginal, but this was far worse, and now I live in fear of ever needing another (and anger at the dismissal of women's pain/health).
I’m so sorry that happened to both of you. I had to get a biopsy for the same reason. But thankfully, my doctor stopped when it was too painful for me (only birth was by C-section). Later, I had the biopsy in the hospital with anesthesia. Luckily, it was negative.
I hope this brings great awareness to anyone considering an IUD.
While it can be a great option for some women, it was not right for me after I had my second child and knew I didn’t want any more kids.
For one, I had to pay out of pocket for it since my insurance wouldn’t cover it.
The placement of it was ok, no issues there. It was the after effects.
Let’s say I’m very sensitive to hormone changes.
I felt totally off all the time. I spoke with my doctor and he made nothing of it. I didn’t like it but gave it more time. However, I knew it wasn’t a way I wanted to feel everyday so I asked to have it removed a few months after placement.
My doctor was annoyed with me but he complied.
I went back to feeling “normal” after it was removed.
However, I was on a payment plan for $1000 and still had to pay it off.
No one ever mentioned that it could make me feel totally off, so if you’re sensitive to biochemicals, like hormones (or for me caffeine too), ask your doctor about that.
The lack of research on women's pain and reproduction is absolutely by design. This country makes every single thing for a woman to be healthy in her body so damn difficult.
I had FOUR nurses/doctors have to hold me down for my IUD placement which was the most painful experience of my life. Nothing stronger than an ibuprofen was recommended and they chuckled at me as I literally hobbled out of the office.
Months later, my husband was given make painkillers for his crazy easy vasectomy. The contrast was ridiculous.
Brilliant piece, I run an ADHD clinic and its very common for my patients to report pain on insertion, inability to tolerate needing removal, and for the hypermobile half of my female ADHD patients a fair few repeatedly expel them too....Not generally an option I tend to recommend to my patients
Why is it standard to sedate patients for a colonoscopy but not for IUD insertion, when a colonoscopy is a non- painful procedure? The answer is men get colonoscopies and they want to “minimize discomfort.” You can have a sedation free colonoscopy and most people report minimal discomfort and no pain. Women should have the option to be sedated for IUD insertion.
The dismantling of the CDC contraception team right after they released improved pain management guidelines is wild timing. That fear-pain cycle research showing 19% increase per point of expected pain really explains why so many providers downplay the procedure. I had a friend who passed out during her IUD insertion and was told afterward it was "uncommon" even though the lit suggests otherwise. The institutional knowledge loss here is gona create real gaps in care that professional societies alone can't fill.
I’m 8 months post insertion and still trying to come to terms with my experience and how to give my OBGYN feedback. No information was given ahead of time, nor aftercare/what to expect information. I have a slight prolapse (I guess, was told during my insertion), so she had trouble, it took almost 15 mins of excruciating pain. She was tugging a LOT and I am fairly sure she worsened my prolapse, as I had issues after that I never had previously. I love my OB, but I felt let down. I wish I would have had this article beforehand, so thank you for posting this for others in the future. Advocate for yourselves ladies.
You left out the possibility of cervical vasovagal syncope, which I witnessed in a young person I accompanied. They expected pain, but the syncope (nausea, light headedness, general awful feeling) was unexpected and hard to witness.
I gather that it’s rare, and probably an individual sensitivity.
Also, the LNG-IUD is also a therapeutic option for perimenopausal heavy flow, even if contraception isn’t needed.
Yes, This article captures my experience too. The first time I tried to get an IUD I wasn't told to take any pain meds beforehand and my doctor was unsuccessful with the placement. Not because I physically wouldn't let her, but because she felt I was far too much pain for a normal insertion. I had an ultrasound done which said I should anatomically be able to take the insertion. Years later when I requested to try again my doctor gave me a prescription for Misoprostol ahead of time which meant I was able to get the insertion. Still -incredibly- painful (and painful for weeks afterwards) but made the IUD possible for me. Another reason I'm grateful to live in one of the non-barbaric states.
I have "challenging cervical anatomy" and had 2 c sections because I couldn't dilate past 8 cm. I found naproxen to help best with menstrual cramping, so I took that before my insertion. To say the pain on insertion was incredible was an understatement... When my first IUD was ready for removal and a second to be inserted, my doctor prescribed misoprostol. I was bracing myself for the agony when my doctor said, "it's out!" Removal/insertion of a new IUD was just about painless with the misoprostol! I know the table says misoprostol is not routinely recommended, but for me it was an incredible help!
While I’ve never had an IUD I experienced exactly this with an endometrial biopsy for post menopausal bleeding. I was in no way prepared for the pain and cramping. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I was really traumatized and literally drove home tearful and in shock. I’m a now retired RN and I’ll never forget it.
This was my biopsy experience as well, and I loved my OB up until then. I left traumatized, in shock and feeling betrayed. A second biopsy years later by a different female OB was no better, and she treated me with some frustration. I am not pain intolerant- my second delivery was a med free & vaginal, but this was far worse, and now I live in fear of ever needing another (and anger at the dismissal of women's pain/health).
I’m so sorry that happened to both of you. I had to get a biopsy for the same reason. But thankfully, my doctor stopped when it was too painful for me (only birth was by C-section). Later, I had the biopsy in the hospital with anesthesia. Luckily, it was negative.
I hope this brings great awareness to anyone considering an IUD.
While it can be a great option for some women, it was not right for me after I had my second child and knew I didn’t want any more kids.
For one, I had to pay out of pocket for it since my insurance wouldn’t cover it.
The placement of it was ok, no issues there. It was the after effects.
Let’s say I’m very sensitive to hormone changes.
I felt totally off all the time. I spoke with my doctor and he made nothing of it. I didn’t like it but gave it more time. However, I knew it wasn’t a way I wanted to feel everyday so I asked to have it removed a few months after placement.
My doctor was annoyed with me but he complied.
I went back to feeling “normal” after it was removed.
However, I was on a payment plan for $1000 and still had to pay it off.
No one ever mentioned that it could make me feel totally off, so if you’re sensitive to biochemicals, like hormones (or for me caffeine too), ask your doctor about that.
Thanks for reading!
The lack of research on women's pain and reproduction is absolutely by design. This country makes every single thing for a woman to be healthy in her body so damn difficult.
I had FOUR nurses/doctors have to hold me down for my IUD placement which was the most painful experience of my life. Nothing stronger than an ibuprofen was recommended and they chuckled at me as I literally hobbled out of the office.
Months later, my husband was given make painkillers for his crazy easy vasectomy. The contrast was ridiculous.
RESEARCH AND RESPECT WOMEN'S PAIN
Brilliant piece, I run an ADHD clinic and its very common for my patients to report pain on insertion, inability to tolerate needing removal, and for the hypermobile half of my female ADHD patients a fair few repeatedly expel them too....Not generally an option I tend to recommend to my patients
Why is it standard to sedate patients for a colonoscopy but not for IUD insertion, when a colonoscopy is a non- painful procedure? The answer is men get colonoscopies and they want to “minimize discomfort.” You can have a sedation free colonoscopy and most people report minimal discomfort and no pain. Women should have the option to be sedated for IUD insertion.
And let’s not even talk about vasectomy.
The dismantling of the CDC contraception team right after they released improved pain management guidelines is wild timing. That fear-pain cycle research showing 19% increase per point of expected pain really explains why so many providers downplay the procedure. I had a friend who passed out during her IUD insertion and was told afterward it was "uncommon" even though the lit suggests otherwise. The institutional knowledge loss here is gona create real gaps in care that professional societies alone can't fill.
I’m 8 months post insertion and still trying to come to terms with my experience and how to give my OBGYN feedback. No information was given ahead of time, nor aftercare/what to expect information. I have a slight prolapse (I guess, was told during my insertion), so she had trouble, it took almost 15 mins of excruciating pain. She was tugging a LOT and I am fairly sure she worsened my prolapse, as I had issues after that I never had previously. I love my OB, but I felt let down. I wish I would have had this article beforehand, so thank you for posting this for others in the future. Advocate for yourselves ladies.
what an insightful article!
You left out the possibility of cervical vasovagal syncope, which I witnessed in a young person I accompanied. They expected pain, but the syncope (nausea, light headedness, general awful feeling) was unexpected and hard to witness.
I gather that it’s rare, and probably an individual sensitivity.
Also, the LNG-IUD is also a therapeutic option for perimenopausal heavy flow, even if contraception isn’t needed.
Yes, This article captures my experience too. The first time I tried to get an IUD I wasn't told to take any pain meds beforehand and my doctor was unsuccessful with the placement. Not because I physically wouldn't let her, but because she felt I was far too much pain for a normal insertion. I had an ultrasound done which said I should anatomically be able to take the insertion. Years later when I requested to try again my doctor gave me a prescription for Misoprostol ahead of time which meant I was able to get the insertion. Still -incredibly- painful (and painful for weeks afterwards) but made the IUD possible for me. Another reason I'm grateful to live in one of the non-barbaric states.
I have "challenging cervical anatomy" and had 2 c sections because I couldn't dilate past 8 cm. I found naproxen to help best with menstrual cramping, so I took that before my insertion. To say the pain on insertion was incredible was an understatement... When my first IUD was ready for removal and a second to be inserted, my doctor prescribed misoprostol. I was bracing myself for the agony when my doctor said, "it's out!" Removal/insertion of a new IUD was just about painless with the misoprostol! I know the table says misoprostol is not routinely recommended, but for me it was an incredible help!
Such an important and brilliant read!