A writer shares how she got sedation for IUD insertion after hearing about the option from a friend.
Here’s her experience and tips.
I initially started taking the pill to control myhormonal acnea common woe for many teenagersand just…never stopped.
But the benefits of IUDs are hard to ignore.
Most OB/GYNs that offer IUD insertion under sedation dont often advertise that they do.
These misconceptions mean patients are often denied adequate pain management, per a March 2024 paper ineClinical Medicine3fromThe Lancet.
board-certified OB/GYN and chief medical director atBonafide Health
But sedation is slowly becoming more availableeven atlocal health clinics.
And you know your body (and your pain tolerance levels) best.
Heres how I did it, and tips for how you might, too.
First, what happens during a typical IUD insertion?
Getting an IUD usually only take a few minutes.
Some people do amazing; some people have a lot of pain.
And unfortunately, the fear and anticipation of pain can make things worse.
Having a friendly doctor who will talk you through the procedure is another important piece.
What pain-management options are currently available for IUD insertion?
board-certified OB/GYN and chief medical director atBonafide Health
Then theres IV sedationthe even lesser-known method which relaxes you and sometimes makes you fall asleep.
Some women with cognitive or physical disabilities might also benefit.
I was pretty anxious the night before; I hadnt been sedated since my early teens.
She eased my anxiety with an encouraging but detailed overview of what was to come.
My doctor was able to give me some ibuprofen through the IV to help with any post-procedure pain.
Here are some tips Ive learned from the experts and my own experience.
Be prepared to answer questions about why youre looking for IV sedation.
But cost and coverage can certainly be an issue.
For patients that have good insurance that will cover it, they might not see that out-of-pocket cost.
Check in with your individual insurance company about your coverage.
You may even be able to find a compatible OB/GYN this way, too.
This is often the case.
Youll ultimately want someone who listens to and validates your needs.
Dont be afraid to stand firm in your requests and decisions, especially if youre getting pushback.
According to theASA, the most common side effects of IV sedation include headaches, nausea, and drowsiness.
Getting sedated also takes longer and requires more prep before your appointment.
The benefits may outweigh the risks for you, or vice versa.
Everyone is different, but you know your body and your needs best.
But I recognize this is a privileged takenot everyone is able to get an IUD this way.
In an ideal world, wed have better ways to manage womens pain.
Zhang, Lanlan, et al.
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9, Sept. 2021, pp.
10481059, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2021.03.001.
Hoffman, Kelly M et al.
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eClinicalMedicine.
Gendered pain: A call for recognition and health equity.eClinicalMedicine, vol.
2024, p. 102558, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102558.
Dina, Blair, et al.
Anticipated pain as a predictor of discomfort with intrauterine machine placement.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol.
2, Feb. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2017.10.017.
Brima, N., Akintomide, H., Iguyovwe, V., & Mann, S. (2015).
Prophylactic ibuprofen does not improve pain with IUD insertion: a randomized trial.Contraceptionvol.
91,3 (2015): 193-7. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2014.11.012
Allen, Rebecca H., et al.
Higher dose cervical 2% lidocaine gel for IUD insertion: A randomized controlled trial.Contraception, vol.
6, Dec. 2013, pp.
730736, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2013.07.009.
Lopez, Laureen M et al.
Interventions for pain with intrauterine unit insertion.The Cochrane database of systematic reviewsvol.
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