Moments before it was implanted, I was told I was going to experience some pressure.
It wasnt pressure, it was f**king painful.
First: Why is IUD insertion so painful?
Spoiler alert: It did.
While Im certainly not alone in that, its important to note here that noteveryonehas a painful experience.
Thus, the way women experience pain during an IUD insertion can vary across the spectrum.
certified family nurse practitioner and chief clinical officer at Tia
The cervix may be gently grasped with a clamp to stabilize it.
The IUD is then pushed through the cervix and into the uterus.
Horwitz says this last part of the process can be particularlypainfulespecially for women who have not given birth vaginally.
Once inside the uterus, the IUDs arms expand to form a T shape, anchoring it in place.
The strings, which are left hanging through the cervix into the vagina, allow for easy removal later.
Jessica Horwitz, MPH, FNP-C, certified family nurse practitioner
Why is the pain often downplayed?
Another possibility is inadequate training and resources for some providers performing the procedure.
IUDs and womens health in general also are under-resourced, and providers have overpacked schedules, Dr. Fitzgerald says.
Whats more, nebulous information about womens bodies may come into play, too.
certified family nurse practitioner and chief clinical officer at Tia
Dr. Fitzgerald says theres alongstanding notion that the external cervix lacks nerve endings.
So, under that assumption, grabbing the area with a clamp during IUD insertionshouldntbe painful.
And the extent of feeling in the area may vary from person to person.
More on that next.
I may also use local anesthetic to reduce cervical pain by blocking the signals at the nerve endings.
If a patient has significant anxiety about the pain, Dr. Phillips says shell consider exploring anotherimplant optionwith them.
Horwitz says her practice offers acupuncture during the insertion, which can help with both anxiety and pain.
The key is to communicate that the procedure can come with pain rather than minimizing it.
And if what they offer doesnt work for you, consider asking for a referral to a different practice.
Of course, the responsibility here shouldnt have to fall on the shoulders of each individual woman.
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