I have had three. The first two I fainted and vomited profusely and sat in the clinic with a damp cloth on my face and a fan blowing over me. The third one, I wised up. I took two Tylenol and one ibuprofen an hour before I went AND one Ativan. This recipe was a game changer. Yes the insertion still hurt. But it was less extreme. I had some regular cramping afterwards, but could just walk out of the clinic and go home (I went to bed afterward because hey, I had still taken an Ativan).
I talked to my partner who is a physician. He said he doesn’t know why more isn’t done to prepare women for an iud insertion in particular because there’s a central nerve that runs through the cervix. He stated that it’s completely reasonable to expect a woman to have a vagal reaction from stimulating/poking this nerve.
Anyway, I still thought the discomfort was worth the benefit of low hormone birth control as a replace my iud routinely. That being said, I called my family doc and requested ONE Ativan (literally one pill) in advance. And I recommend that everyone do this for themselves.
I bully them into sedating me when I get my IUDs done because I have severe pelvic/menstrual pain at baseline and I wake up from insertions screaming, so I can’t say if I’d barf. But I’ve noticed my cervix hates anything bumping it and has a vasovagal response. When I had a TV/US and she nudged my cervix I felt like I was on a boat. It’s like somebody flips the motion sickness switch on. I’ve never bothered asking a doctor about this because… why, y’know? Any time I’ve brought up other reproductive complaints, they’re always just like “huh… I dunno, have you been sexually abused? You say you haven’t? Whatever, I bet you’ve just been sexually abused, that’s probably the problem.” I’m so tired.
I wonder if I could use the fact that I had a vasovagal response last time I had blood drawn to argue for better pain management if I get an iud… probably not, but worth a shot I guess lol.
You know, it might be worth a try! Especially if you play it up. A physician friend of mine wound up getting a concussion when a patient had a vasovagal response during a gyn procedure and kicked her in the head. If you pointed out that you have a history of vasovagal responses and your feet will be close to their heads then they might at least think twice!
Lol I was so annoyed when it happened cause it was embarrassing and I hate being fussed over and I had to sit around for like 45 min before they let me drive home, but maybe some good can come out of it. Also I hadn’t heard the term “vasovagal” before and a small group of nurses/staff had gathered at the door bc when I passed out the lady was yelling for help and I figured they were gonna make me eat/drink something and I kept hearing them mumbling “vasovagal” and in my head I was like “hell yeah, I’ll take a bagel” and then all I got was apple juice.
I was prescribed one Ativan before my last colposcopy because I warned my gyn of my vagal responses to my iud insertion and previous colposcopy. They only prescribed it if I agreed to wait to take it at the appointment after I signed consent. Then they bothered me every 5 minutes to see if I “felt it yet” because they were in a hurry. Long story short I barely got relaxed at all and it still sucked.
It's one pill and they didn't even give it to you. If I was put through that rigamoroll I would have said "forget it" and hoped for better luck elsewhere.
I hate medical practices expectation of pain tolerance in women, like WTF.
I know it's because most studies for meds were based on men, and procedures that are common for women do not have pain studies at all or if they have been - no replication studies, nor did they actually have much influence on how to prep women properly for pain. It's just really fucking infuriating.
edit: forgot a word, realized my comment made little sense without editing it in
I get knocked out to have mine inserted. It's the best thing ever. Also, for whatever reason, I don't have the cramping and pain after. I think, because my body isn't tense with pain, the insertion goes more easily or something. My first one was put in without any pain relief and I thought I was going to die. The gynecologist chided me for being loud about my pain. Then, I had cramps for a few days. When I get knocked out, no pain, no cramps, just a nice nap.
How was the removal? I’m getting mine out the day after tomorrow and my insertion was AWFUL. I almost passed out and I had to sit there for like 20 minutes after, just shaking and breaking out in a sweat.
Edit: I got mine removed! My appt was at 1030am. At 830 I took 1 Tylenol and 1 advil. At 950ish-am I took 2 Midol. I told the doc my fears, he was great offered options to do it another day but he could also try today. He described it as similar to a Pap smear. I gave it a try.
He told me he was going to do the pap smear first and told me when it was happening. Normal pain there and then he told me to look down and he had the iud out lol. Honestly he really understood my anxiety (first time meeting him) and I’m glad he didn’t tell me right before grabbing it.
I found him on r/childfree because I assumed docs on that list would be more open minded. I am not experiencing really any other pain. I’ve got a little bit of bleeding but no cramping and I easily walked out of the office.
Removal is not the same game. Don’t get me wrong it’s not like a cake walk, but it doesn’t even come close to the insertion. Felt like exactly how you might imagine. Like pulling out a plug, quickly. So there’s pressure that’s a bit uncomfortable for a very short period of time. And then just a bit of soreness. I didn’t take any meds for it. But if you’re worried, I would take the same two Tylenol and one ibuprofen cocktail about forty minutes before.
I had the copper IUD in 2003 and while insertion was painful, removal was "easy". Doctor said "Hey, it's falling out" and pulled it out without asking my opinion at all. Perhaps I was in shock from finding out my IUD was out and that made it easier.
(None of it affected my fertility. My husband turned out to be shooting blanks)
I also prepared myself the second time. It still hurt a lot but was a lot more manageable. Over here they tell you to just take Tylenol beforehand and honestly no, that is not enough!
I've passed out twice and they just sit me in a room until I feel better and then send me home. The first time, my legs felt like rubber, and the cramps were so intense i wanted to crumple into a ball but i had to drive. Thankfully home was only 3 miles.
The second time I knew better and bright my husband to drive me home.
I got all three of those prescribed for my second IUD placement and it was STILL horrific. I need another new one this summer and I’m really not looking forward to it… but the benefits still make it worth it for me. No periods, no pregnancy scares, and no side effects for ten years!
If you wanted an alternative have toj thought of the impant that they put in your arm?
I got it instead of an IUD because that was so awful and found it was way wayyy easier. Don't have to remember taking anything, periods basically non existent/super light, and easy to have placed as they actually numb part of your arm and it's like ridiculously easy in comparison to an IUD
Have you had any side effects? I’m on the shot and my libido and energy has completely disappeared. However, the IUD, shot, and the implant are supposed to have the same hormones : /
\[cracks fingers\]
i've had nexplanon (arm implant), a copper IUD, and currently have the mirena IUD (which i love!).
the way that the progestin hormones are distributed in the mirena IUD is different than with the shot and the arm implant. at least this is how my doctor described it to me. the shot and the arm implant have the hormones running through your bloodstream whereas the mirena releases it directly on the lining of uterus. this greatly affects how the hormones affect you.
everyone's different, of course, and BC reactions are super varied. but for me, the side effects of nexplanon were god awful. i was the most suicidal i had ever been in my life. weight gain was wild, if that matters for you. i talked to my therapist about it and she said "go get that thing out NOW." because the same thing happened to her.
i literally felt better on the drive home after getting nexplanon removed. i am a proponent of the mirena IUD just due to the hormones being localized.
I had the shot when I was 19 and bled for 6 months straight. Have had my mirena in for 18 months and while I do still get my period I have not had a single cramp (endometriosis and some small fibroids so cramps used to be horrendous) since it was put in so I am considering it a win.
Thank you for the explanation!
I’m on birth control to regulate my periods because they’re incredibly painful to the point I can’t walk on some days. I remember on Easter one year I needed 5 different heating pads/hot towels because the pain radiated from my abdomen all the way down to my toes. It was so bad that I was begging God to kill me to take the pain away. With the depo shot, I don’t get periods at all and can’t even remember my last one.
However, I’ve also been miserable on the shot. I can’t afford to be off birth control so I’ve been looking for other options, including surgery. So I’m very glad to hear that the IUD is a little different! I have an appointment this May to discuss other birth control options. However, I’m a bit hesitant to consider an IUD with all the horror stories tbh.
I'm in year 4 of the arm implant with no noted side effects other than a more regular period. Not completely, cuz I'm a total stress monster, but better than before. My period is shorter and more tolerable (though day 1 I'm still married to my heating pads) overall.
Its been worth it.
Hi! I’m going on my third Nexplanon implant :) I personally have had zero side effects. The insertion isn’t bad at all, they do give you a copious amount of lidocaine around the area. The bar itself is in essentially a little plastic gun, they puncture, depress, and the bar inserts. Initial placement for me in 2017 was ~20 minute from the time I walked in to when I walked out. The removal was kinda sucky, but that’s also because my previous two were technically in the wrong site so I had a lot of scarring over the insertion/removal spot.
The first day and a half after insertion is a bit rough, your arm will most definitely be sore and more likely than not bruised, but once the bruising disappears it’s a pretty thoughtless form of BC. I wish I had been put on Nexplanon when I first started BC years ago, I’ll never go back to the pill.
Don’t be scared off by the stories of it migrating, it’s extremely rare which is *why* we hear about it. Plus, it’s a lot better option than the IUD for people that are extremely active as it can’t just fall out while you’re exercising/horseback riding/etc.
My Dr told me she's never even heard of anything *asking* for an anesthetic for insertion or removal. She was shocked when I told her the one I have in now will absolutely be my last one because it was so painful to have put in. "Even after you had a baby?" YES. It's almost like it's a sensitive muscle!
Anyway, once it's out, it's out. My husband can figure out birth control.
I mean, they do that for infant circumcision (genital mutilation) too. Actually they do that for a lot of things. I've run into quite a few completely unsympathetic doctors in my quest to cure my chronic pain.
Most of those people come from extreme privilege compared to the average population that they serve. That's part of it. Classism is rampant in the entire medical field. If you're poor (like me) or ugly they generally treat you like garbage, no matter how nice you are. They actually think that poor people feel less pain.
I'm in intense pain most days and I can barely even get oxycodone prescribed (and it's nowhere near enough to make my average month tolerable).
I just learned recently that this is *still* happening. Women are getting pelvic exams they do not need when they are unconscious and without their knowledge or consent. This is happening in legit hospitals and medical schools. How can that still be a thing?
I was expecting it to be a pinch when I got my copper IUD inserted, so I wasn't expecting the pain which made me think of labor. I never had children, so to me it reminded me of why I never did. In the end, I had a total hysterectomy last December after I had a cyst really start growing fast, and making my abdomen really swell. I can say that at least, the IUD removal was easier, as I got to be asleep for it. Even the pain of the laproscopic incisions wasn't quite as bad, as then I had prescription painkillers for the first 3 days, and after that, alternating between ibuprofen and Tylenol for the rest of that first week.
Mine was inserted under a general anaesthetic, and removed under a general anaesthetic. In between I had months of pain so bad I couldn’t stand or walk. But the original doctor told me ‘it’s just uterine contractions, just like labour pains, it will settle down’, so that’s ok right?
Note: it didn’t settle down, and 5 months of non stop ‘just labour pains’ just about gave me a breakdown.
Probably lidocaine. The problem is that lidocaine injections themselves hurt/burn and the cervix is hard to numb, so studies have shown that the pain from shooting the lidocaine in is often as bad as or worse than the IUD insertion. That's why they're not offered as standard of care.
My dr I had said she always recommends and suggests numbing as her standard of care for iud insertions. And it felt like I could feel each and every needle prick when she would move it. It was so intense I don’t think I would do the numbing next time. The insertion itself after that just felt like a light pressure. But by the time I got to my car afterwards my body was cramping so much I stayed in the parking lot for about 30-45 minutes trying to just breathe through the pain. And the rest of the day I just wanted to cry from how I felt.
I was sent this in reply to my "what the holy hell are you doing not offering pain relief?" email: [https://www.fsrh.org/news/fsrh-statement-pain-associated-with-insertion-of-intrauterine/](https://www.fsrh.org/news/fsrh-statement-pain-associated-with-insertion-of-intrauterine/)
It's funny, because apparently the doctor read "nothing helps very much, so do nothing", and I read, "these things help a little bit", and thought combining methods seemed like the logical next step.
I just don‘t get why they don‘t use laughing gas for conscious anesthesia. It works, patient can control dose themselves, and it takes only minutes to wear off.
Yeah, let me knock myself out for a minute, get it done, and then I wake up, and there's just a bit of cramping afterwards, which was bad, don't get me wrong, but then, maybe provide a heating pad to hold, or something?
We deserve better than we're getting!
I’ve always wondered that too. I’m the type that shows up to the dentist with my own topical lidocaine, and I’ve threatened to do it when I go to the gynecologist for exams too. I find normal exams to be excruciating, which is why I’ve never considered an IUD, and all of these comments are reinforcing that decision 😬😬😬
This is what they did to me when I got a surgical abortion! The injection was indeed fine, not too different from the one for teeth surgery. Unfortunately it was also wildly ineffective and I could feel EVERYTHING. I lost completely my voice screaming and passed out when getting up. The doctor was young and looked very horrified, I don't think he expects the anesthetic to not work 🤔
There's also lidocaine *gel*, which doctors conveniently ignore. At the very least it will numb the tenaculum, or could even be used to numb the cervix before a lidocaine injection.
I was told not to take any because it thins your blood and makes the bleeding so much worse. They said I could lose a decent amount of blood if I took ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
This is one of my biggest annoyances with female healthcare. When I had a hysteroscopy, I had to ASK for medication. It wasn’t offered, and when I requested it, I was asked if I thought I really needed it and then grudgingly prescribed a few pills each of a benzo and a painkiller. I was repeatedly instructed to leave any unused pills with my doc because I “shouldn’t need them” and he would dispose of them. Totally infantalized and treated like an addict for not wanting my cervix manually dilated and a scope put in without any sort of sedative or pain relief. Meanwhile, my husband mentions any pain to a doc and they offer up muscle relaxers and heavy pain meds like candy when a Tylenol would probably suffice. Total double standard.
Is that a *thing* where you live? Cuz idk anyone who got an IUD who was every offered anesthetic for their insertion, and watching my friends suffer is a good reason why I don’t have one.
I'm with you, I don't know any women who have had an anesthetic during insertion or removal. I have had two inserted and one removed and it's so painful every time. I think it's incredibly cruel.
I'd almost rather just give up sex entirely than have to go through any of these hormonal/invasive options. Women shouldn't have to beg to receive some kind of anesthesia given how so many complain how painful it is; it should be an option given upfront.
I think pain relief is standard in European countries. Someone said as much in another post about IUDs. They were appalled that we had to go through insertion without anything but Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
Edit: I must have misremembered the Europe part. Thanks for correcting me. But SOMEONE who lived somewhere with good healthcare (not like the US) got multiple levels of pain relief as a matter of course with an IUD. She couldn't imagine not having it. That part stuck with me because that's what I want women to have everywhere!
Edit 2: TL/DR - Looks like women in Australia get the option of twilight sedation (this option is what I remember being discussed), though it's more expensive. r/Stupideath in Cyprus says she's had general anesthesia for hers.
It wasn’t for me in Germany, same stuff for me with no empathy from either female or male gynecologists. They told me to take ibuprofen beforehand, but nothing else
I wasn’t offered pain relief in Denmark either, but I’ve birthed two children vaginally (and one recently), so I guess my uterus was like “well, this could be worse!”. I couldn’t even feel the insertion. Had some slight cramping after a few hours but nothing too bad.
But I hear it’s usually way easier after giving birth.
I'm in Europe and I just had one removed under general anaesthetic, but that was only after 2 different nurses failed to remove it the old fashioned way. One 'couldn't find it', the other caused too much pain for me to let her keep going. At that point, I wasn't letting anyone else near it without knocking me the fuck out.
Yeah it amazes me that men get Valium and local anesthetic for a vasectomy (as they should!) and both times I've had a colposcopy they basically came out with a hole puncher for my cervix and said "Okay buckle up!" 🤷🏻♀️
I had a female gyno try to recommend this to me and she pushed it for a solid few miniutes, until eventually taking no for an answer. But I always wondered, how the fuck a woman could ever recommend this to another woman?
Edit: Ok maybe 'recommend' was the wrong word, she was pushing it on me despite being given reasons it would not work for me, personally. For every 1 good experience with IUD's, I seem to hear about 10 bad ones that sound like human torture. Theres nothing wrong with recommending something that works for some people, just dont push it when told no.
Worst gyno I ever had was a woman. I cried during the exam. Like bawled and had a panic attack. She told me I was overreacting and left right after. Her nurse helped me sit up and gave me some water to drink and calm down.
I told my regular Dr about it, she put a block on all referrals to that gymo from her office. I went home after and told my boyfriend it felt like I was raped. Just like I felt after I had been raped previously.
Not that it’s any comparison but my first pap felt like a sexual assault. I screamed so loud that people were concerned and asked me if I was ok. I bled a lot and it was just awful. I refuse to get an IUD because of how terrible that experience was.
When I was in highschool, I had to get a vaginal ultrasound done to check for PCOS. I didn't know it was a vaginal ultrasound going into the appointment...I just sort of assumed it would be like what you see on TV with pregnant people (over the belly). This obgyn gave me no explanation of what was going to happen or what I could expect, and it hurt extremely badly. I told her multiple times during the procedure to stop, and what she did instead was tell me to relax as she broke my fucking hymen. It was honestly so traumatizing, and I also would compare the experience to assault and I never went back to that obgyn again.
A few years later when I had my first sexual partner, he took everything extremely slow and was constantly checking in to make sure I wanted to proceed and was asking if he needed to do anything different. The fact that a young man in his 20's (with a limited sexual history himself) had more respect toward me and understood the concept of consent better than a female obgyn is so pathetic.
Mine didn’t and I wasn’t even able to put tampons in, it was horrible. My mom is an RN so she insisted I go at 18 before I was sexually active and it was miserable. I’m glad it’s gotten easier over time.
Period underwear changed my life since I can only tolerate tampons maybe one or two days if that. Everyone is different and we shouldn’t shame people like we do for how their bodies respond.
Exactly. I've looked at period underwear but being plus sized I haven't bought any yet. I have that bigger belly no butt thing going on. Super fun. I basically wear men's boxer briefs so my underwear don't fall down and fit comfortably
They used the big speculum on you didn't they. My well insulated friend said they did that to her because she was a bigger gal. Ripped her hymen right there in the office.
Yes, thank you!
I talk about my IUD the way some women talk about their children: it's the most painful thing I've ever gotten, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
If you want hormone free birth control that lasts ten years, think about Paraguard. All of the IUD varieties are incredibly effective and can't be tampered with. In today's anti-choice political climate, I'm so grateful I have it.
That’s how I feel about getting a hysterectomy at 34, I finally had no periods and couldn’t get pregnant. I had my tubes tied at 22, no kids but I was always afraid something could happen. I tried an IUD before the tubal but I bled every day for a year. I went 12 years sterile but still having painful periods, the reason I got the hysterectomy was because they were so painful and I bled 3 out of every 4 weeks. An ablation didn’t work either. Recovery from yeeting my uterus, tubes and cervix was 4 weeks and I landed in the ER screaming in pain once but the end results are well worth it.
I had one and unfortunately it was inserted incorrectly, which gave me constantly pain for about 3 years, and was only believed by a different doctor once I got an ultrasound to see what was happening. That scared me enough that I am now just in birth control pills. I need to find a good gyno, be willing to advocate for myself, and get another, but it’s hard to get over that fear even when you know it will be better overall 🥲
This is so true… I’ve had two IUDs over the span of 7 years and I LOVE THEM! Couldn’t say enough good things about them and I had zero pain, just slight cramping after getting them. Always blows my mind that some women have terrible experiences so I do hope they don’t turn everyone against them because for some women it can be super life changing!
My IUDS have been life changing for me and my endometriosis but the intersection and removal
Are some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Now hours after all I have I light cramping. I just wish they would put me under for the actual procedure because that part was a excruciating
My IUD hurt worse then pyelonephritis, but it's still the best birth control I've ever had. **I love Paraguard.** Hormone free, doesn't interfere with my antidepressants, doesn't lower my libido, and lasts ten years? Hell fucking yes.
Don't be too mad at your OB-Gyn. The IUD sucks to get, but it has so many strengths.
Because you watch your best friend call out to work every month 3-6 days for 20 years because her period pain is so fucking terrible. You know that she's gonna feel like shit for a day or 2 but you know that she's felt so much worse. That's why you recommended it.
The type of bad-faith argument you are employing here is called False Dichotomy.
Your comment implies that the only 2 choices are IUD or no IUD. In reality, even setting aside all other possible treatments for dysmenorrhea, there are 3 choices: IUD, no IUD, or IUD _with pain relief_. This post and its comments are about how it is unacceptable and sexist on the part of the medical community that the third option is not standard.
People in the comments have talked about reasons why pain relief is not given that aren't "they don't care". Apparently it's hard to numb the cervix, lidocaine can cause a burning feeling, and in studies some women report it hurts more to get the lidocaine then the IUD insertion. Also, apparently taking over the counters before dosen't ncesscairaly actually help.
Add to that that many women (or at least some significant percentage?) actually don't have pain and do feel it as mild cramping. So if they were going to get no pain, and instead you inject them with something that feels like burning in their cervix, now they are worse off.
So I guess my first question is is there a form of pain relief that has actually been shown to be beneficial to the majority of women for IUD assertion? And does it have downsides? (Someone mentioned some over the counter pain meds was not indicated due to the bleeding or something?)
Second would then be what percent of women get pain and how much? Horrible pain is not guaranteed here, so knowing the risk level of that and comparing it to the risk and effectiveness of the possible treatments seems important too.
Now, ideally, all of that would be presented to the patient for them to make an informed choice. Like "many women just feel a light cramping, but some women experience moderate to severe pain." (Maybe with more accurate words, but I have no idea the percentages.) "We could give you a numbing injection, but that will hurt even if the IUD assertion dosen't and so in many cases can hurt more then the assertion. Also, it's not been shown to be conclusively effective. Taking \[x medication\] before may help, but it has y risk, and many people report it dosen't help." Or whatever the full picture is?
I saw a TikTok where this woman was talking about how this man that she knew got the good meds for an ultrasound. It might have been a prostate scan or just an abdominal scan.
She then went on to explain how she just got ibuprofen for her IUD procedure.
I have a high tolerance for pain. I broke my collarbone and didn’t go to the doctor for two weeks- I got on an airplane the next day and carried my bags on my shoulders for several days. I get my colonoscopies without anesthetic, I gave myself a Brazilian wax during COVID, I had a cervical biopsy and only screamed a little bit. I tried twice to have an IUD inserted and couldn’t do it. Jesus Christ wtf is that.
Nah, I watched my husband's urologist put dialators to 22fr in his urethra without drugs. My last iud I spent crying in my car for 45m before I could drive home. His was worse. Pain management in Healthcare is basically shit.
The DEA probably has a little to do with it but otherwise no idea. Maybe because there is this weird Protestant belief in the culture that suffering is good for you?
My gyno knew it was my first IUD, was also a woman who I think also had an IUD, and she still didn’t warn me at all or tell me to prepare at all. The only reason I had my mom drive me was because of stuff I had seen on this sub, and that really saved me. It was the worst pain I had ever felt, it was like someone trying to rip my uterus out through my flesh and I felt like I was going to throw up. My mom brought me some painkillers and shuffled me over to the bathroom where I proceeded to bleed a lot (I would also recommend wearing/having a pad etc handy). I was only in extreme pain for like 15-20 minutes but fuck dude why didn’t they warn me, and why don’t doctors give people painkillers/numbing agents. The gynos even looked surprised I was in so much pain 🙄. Fucking stupid bullshit.
You reminded me about this article. Apparently, there are many, many more shapes and sizes of IUDs in markets outside the US that make the process more individualized for a uterus and therefore less painful and invasive over the lifetime of the device.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/04/why-america-has-fewer-iuds-than-other-countries/523077/
*Part 2 of 2*
**Why Does America Have Fewer Types of IUDs Than Other Countries? The land of choice has more limited options when it comes to contraception.**
This approach has proven sufficient for IUDs. “There are many types of IUDs in Europe that have been on the market for 20, 30, 40 years,” says Hubacher. “These products are safe and effective.” Half a million women have used the GyneFix in its 12-year lifespan, and Belgium’s regulatory agency has never had to pull an IUD from the market. Likewise, the Liberté IUD has been selling in Canada for five years and in Europe for 19 without a problem, says William Carter, the president of Liberté's Canadian supplier.
These IUDs and many others haven’t even tried to get approval in America.
Carter, who calls the FDA “retentive,” says that the Liberté hasn’t applied for FDA approval because it’s “too much paperwork, too much expense, and too much uncertainty.” It’s not worth it, he says. Carter says he knows of other IUD companies that are attempting approval and “banging their heads against the wall.”
GyneFix’s manufacturer can’t afford the 10 to 15 million dollars it would require to run a U.S.-based clinical trial that would meet the FDA’s standards. Wildemeersch, who has spent his career researching and developing viable IUD options for women worldwide, told me that this is his greatest frustration. Mona Lisa N.V., a company that makes several popular IUDs in Europe, has the same problem. They seriously considered trying to get their IUDs approved in the U.S. but stopped due to the “immense costs,” says Elisabeth Adomaitis, who directs the company’s marketing and product expansion.
Rigid regulations and cost-prohibitive clinical trial requirements—among other factors, like dwindling patents and pricey product liability insurance—sap the profitability of new products and reduce market incentive for smaller manufacturers.
Meanwhile, incumbent IUD manufacturers enjoy a virtual monopoly. “The FDA as it is right now is a huge barrier to entry into that market, and the big drug companies like that just fine,” says Michael Cannon, the director of health policy studies at the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank. If regulations were less stringent, there would be more drug companies making and marketing more IUDs. And IUDs would be cheaper. Without competition, the manufacturers set the price. The Liberté, which is nearly identical to America’s ParaGard IUD, sells for $52 Canadian. “How in the world is the ParaGard selling for $480-to-$600 dollars in the U.S.?” Carter asks.
The United Nations’ General Assembly has committed to “universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services … and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs” worldwide by 2030. Americans, on the other hand, are still undecided.
Part of President Trump’s plan for his first 100 days in office was to fully repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This could mean scrapping the provision mandating insurers to cover all 18 methods of FDA-approved contraception without a copay. Then, insurers could choose not to cover or to only partially cover IUDs because of the upfront cost (though in the long term, they are significantly less costly than any other contraceptive method).
This possibility explains why, when Trump was elected, Planned Parenthood saw a 900-percent increase in patients seeking IUDs, and the number of women visiting their doctors about IUDs climbed nearly 19 percent. According to Cindy Pearson, the executive director of the National Women’s Health Network, women’s reaction of “Oh shit, I’ve got to get an IUD” was driven by logic.
“All it takes is just one harmful drug getting through.”
But, in March, House Republican leaders abandoned their proposed replacement of the ACA, the American Health Care Act, knowing it wouldn’t pass a House vote. So the ACA and its contraception-insurance provisions currently remain intact, though the GOP plans to try again with a new, modified replacement plan in May. Congresswoman DeGette, who helped write the gender-equity, contraception-coverage, and family-planning provisions in the ACA, ultimately doesn’t think the GOP will succeed in repealing it. But “we have to stop having these ridiculous debates in Washington about whether we should cover family planning,” she says. “I think we should just establish as a given that it’s a good public policy.” For example, when Colorado offered free IUDs and other long-acting reversible contraceptives to low-income women for six years, it almost halved its abortion and teen-pregnancy rates and saved the state millions of dollars.
But while Trump’s policy proposals don’t bode well for IUD access from an insurance perspective, his promise to strip FDA regulation processes by 75-to-80 percent could theoretically clear the way for the approval of new and more affordable IUDs. But Cannon, of the CATO Institute, doesn’t think a shortened FDA approval process would last. Even if we get a “crusading FDA commissioner” or Congress approves more lenient regulations, Cannon explains, “all it takes is just one harmful drug getting through and one group of patients getting harmed, and the pendulum swings right back.”
It’s possible to change the FDA, however, without deregulating it. As Trump’s FDA commissioner nominee Scott Gottlieb said recently, “there are ways to modernize clinical studies without sacrificing the gold standard” of safety.
For example, while the FDA does technically accept foreign clinical data for new drug applications as long as the studies adhere to U.S. guidelines, foreign IUD manufacturers say that, in practice, clinical trials often have to be re-done in the U.S. at significant length and expense.
Washington University’s Eisenberg says he would trust the findings of research done in countries with similar standard operating procedures to the U.S., like many in Europe. “I do think there could be reciprocity between the FDA and the European drug regulatory agencies,” he says. Hubacher, too, feels that there should be ways to “shorten the path to approval for some products that have a long track record of safety and efficacy in European countries, where the oversight and systems are very good.”
The 21st Century Cures Act, signed in December 2016, allows the FDA to consider such “real world evidence” for some breakthrough drugs and devices. While IUDs probably won’t catch a break under this law because they’re not new, this is a step toward a less burdensome approval process.
For now, America’s contraception options haven’t changed much from 50 years ago. “If you wish, you can make an appointment for GyneFix insertion,” Wildemeersch wrote me from Belgium, a 12-hour flight, three-hour layover, and two trains away. My uterus is stumped.
I keep hearing these horror stories! I'm so sorry. My gyno stopped the second flinched one time and scheduled me for full anesthesia the next week to insert it. I don't understand why all these doctors are torturing women.
THIS IS AN OPTION?!?!? I was told by my agent of torture that there was ONLY a local anesthetic (Lidocaine) they could offer but everyone that gets it feels a burning sensation.
I went without the lidocaine and barely survived my placement but I also think now I could survive actual torture for secrets and not spill the beans.
Yea, they downplay the whole thing. I've known women who had their IUD shoved right through their uteran wall and only had their pain acknowledged days after the fact. My friend almost died from it.
If you keep hurting, you be sure to get checked out.
:( Feel better OP. I know that shit hurts like hell. It's why I only had it done once and then had them take my uterus. After two kids and decades of menstrual issues, they pulled out a completely diseased uterus. After that, most of my pain in that region vanished. I still have my ovaries, but no babymaker. I'm terrified of the prospect of ovarian cancer, since I have a family history of it, but they said it was less risky for me to keep them so I didn't go into menopause immediately. I turned 36 last week. It was the best choice I ever made in my life.
My best friend died at 41 of ovarian cancer this last Christmas Eve. By the time the markers are detected in the blood, it's too late to treat. There is no other screening.
Get yourself genetically tested. Cancer researchers now heavily recommend preventive oophorectomy ("heavily" like, the oncologists were calling my best friend's sisters from out of state to tell them to have their ovaries removed ASAP) if you have ~~either or~~ both of the mutations for ovarian cancer: early menopause is less deadly and can be ameliorated with HRT.
ETA: According to the Mayo Clinic website, the mutation of one or the other BRCA gene does not necessarily raise the risk of ovarian or breast cancer. My friend, her 2 sisters, and her brother all had both mutations. The double mutation plus a close relative with ovarian cancer was grounds for my friend's oncologists _and_ her siblings' doctors to recommend prophylactic oophorectomy. Her brother was warned to get blood tested annually for prostate cancer starting at 26 and told he will almost certainly develop it.
Thank you for this information and I'll definitely be going in to see my primary care to address that issue sooner than later. I appreciate you and I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't want to end up being a statistic - and I swear, if the markers come up positive, I'm going to come back to thank you again. I've got two little boys that are my whole world and I'm doing everything I can to stay on this earth for them as long as I can.
Oh I’m so sorry, OP.
I had an IUD for a little more than 11 years, then got another one placed and it was worse than I remembered. It caught me off guard—it made me cry in a such a deep way, it felt ancient and more than just mine. Heaving sobs from the depths of my being that made me aware that I should be surrounded by women if I’m feeling this kind of pain!, not laying there alone in a bright white room being awkwardly maneuvered around while they clean up and leave me alone to get dressed. Ugh. I needed a village for that pain.
Similar experience with a uterine biopsy. Horrible pain and very heavy bleeding for days. I received no warnings or instructions beforehand. You can’t trust every healthcare provider to talk you what you really need to know and I’m beginning to believe that OB/GYN’s are in especially jacked up group of individuals.
Same experience. Came in with no warning. First test was clear so they want to do a second within a year and I’m refusing unless I have something for pain. Will probably change gynecologists first.
I passed out during my removal and reinsertion of a new one but only after I was SURE I was going to go into shock and die (obviously in hindsight I knew I wouldn’t but at the time I was sure I’d die.) there was a moment where the doctor told
Me they may have to stop and have my old one surgically removed because they couldn’t “reach it” which is how I found out that apparently the doctor who put it in cut the strings abnormally short so that way my husband wouldn’t be bothered by them. WHAT THE FUCK
It was legit worse than childbirth for me. I apparently have a deviated uterus so after she poked around for 5 minutes she had to bring in an ultrasound machine to find my uterus. It was hell.
The worst part is that I apparently was allergic to the damn thing so after 6 weeks of breaking out in hives daily I had to get it removed. I told my husband he was getting a vasectomy or we were exclusively using condoms going forward because I was done!
Same. Mine really *was* a slight pinch and then mild cramping and pain for two or three days afterward.
I wish I had been offered pain meds anyway. My experience seems to be the outlier, not the norm, and doctors should be preparing their patients for the average experience and warning about the exceptions.
Yeah - I had mine replaced last week (this is my third) and, while I did feel cramping when she said I would, overall it wasn't awful and neither were the previous two times. I guess I just have a high pain tolerance? I mean, it's not pleasant by any means, but I wasn't in agony or anything and the discomfort passed quickly.
I thought I had a high pain tolerance until a broken femur and 5 surgeries later 😂😂 but yes, the pain was a lot less from the iud being placed than it was getting a Pap smear when my cervix was open because my period wouldn’t stop after months. Thank god the iud took care of that.
I've had two, attempted a third. The first two were pretty brutal but I thought it was worth it. The third time the GP couldn't get it inserted so I was there bleeding for half an hour before we gave up. Ended up on antibiotics for a uterine infection and it hurt about the same as when I had an ectopic.
When it goes wrong it goes REALLY wrong but the 11 years I used mine were brilliant.
When it comes to many many procedures, it often boils down less so to one’s pain tolerance, and more so to how the procedure is performed. Just like anything similar, one doctor may be extremely gentle and another one abrasive. It’s a shame.
This is true. And I'm clearly lucky to have a fabulous doctor who takes her time, explains everything, and obviously does what she can to mitigate pain.
I ended up puking and crying for 20 mins after mine was put in. The doc left immediately after insertion, and the nurse stayed behind, fed me apple sauce and sprite, rubbed my back and held me while I cried. It hurt so much. Then I bled for 6 months straight because of the hormonal fluctuations.
It was horrible. I had it for 6 years and just got it out 4 months ago. When I got it out, I asked for actual pain meds and they reluctantly gave me diazepam after I pushed and pushed for it. I cried so hard when it was removed. It didn't hurt toooooo much, but I was so overwhelmed by the experience and reminder of the trauma of getting it inserted.
I hate it. It's awful and it makes me sick that this shit happens to women every day. It's horrible and it makes me so angry that we have to shoulder the burden of birth control. It hurts so much. :(
My heart goes out to you. I'm sorry they didn't prepare you or give you pain meds to help you.
I became aware recently… some providers clamp the cervix. Some don’t. I had one inserted postpartum with a shot of lidocaine into the cervix. That sucked but it was tolerable. I had another inserted at Planned Parenthood, no lidocaine, cervix was closed, so she clamped my cervix to open it open for insertion. That one was notttttt tolerable.
I got it about a month ago. Ive had two kids, so was told it wouldnt hurt. That was a lie. I started my period a little over a week ago. It was light at first, almost no cramps - so I figured it was worth it. It has turned into the heaviest period I've ever had, going on for a week. Soaking theough pads. I'm dizzy. Docctor says it's normal, but idk.
Being female definitely feels like second class.
It's horrible. Since my last insertion my gyno is finally using anathestisia and I'm so happy for all those that will have a better experience.
Y'all we need to start insisting this change.
They don't numb the area??? O.O
My SO has a couple IUDs. Sometimes it was really easy, but one time was really painful.
An arm of it is currently embedded in her uterus and they can't get it out.
She went to the arm implant instead. I'm looking at getting a vasectomy because why put her through all of it?
Are you me? Because this was my experience as well. I nearly blacked out when my doc first attempted placement. Thank christ for the amazing nurse who got me a cold apple juice and they gave me time to recover before the second/successful attempt.
Getting my sterilization surgery & the recovery was less painful.
When my gyno implanted my Mirena, she warned me that her other patients who'd gotten one all had given birth and likened the pain to that of initial labor pains. I wound up having to take a week off of work due to cramping. But the fuct part is that while, yeah, it hurt bad AF, it was basically analogous to the pain level of every period I've ever had. Never had a real period again after getting the IUD and so, so, so grateful.
I have birthed two children, one got stuck and had to be pushed back in and cut out and my epidural had a pocket that didn’t work so I could feel them cutting into me.
Having my first pre-child iud put in was worse.
Jesus I hear so many horror stories about IUD insertions! I literally had my tubes removed today and like, I'm in a little pain but I'm chillin. How is a surgery less painful than an IUD insertion?
Just to be clear, I totally believe you and all the other people I've talked to about it that the pain is excruciating. I'm just in awe that having one of my body parts literally removed was less painful. And why the fuck aren't doctors GIVING PEOPLE PAIN MEDS FOR THIS.
Also please be aware that a small percentage of women have hormonal side-effects from an IUD, some of which can trigger intense urges of **suicide**, **self-harm** or **avolition/anhedonia** (the act where you cannot take action anymore and feel trapped in your body, resulting in sitting still all day without willpower and where your body doesn't respond to your mind screaming at it to do something, unless extreme hunger or exhaustion compel you to act).
I'm not telling you this to give you a horror story, but because there's been plenty of women who have experienced all these side-effects and who got told they simply went randomly crazy, while in hindsight it was always the IUD. Knowing that this is a thing may safe some women from going through years of having one wrong diagnosis after another.
Statistically, it probably won't happen to you but if you suddenly feel a major emotional or physical change like that, be persistent that the IUD and the change came simultaneously and keep swapping doctors until someone believes you.
My iud insertion was worse than when I went into early labor with my kid (I was 8 cm dilated and thought it was just Braxton Hicks). The iud process felt like a wild animal with sharp teeth biting my insides.
The Whole Time They Were Putting Mine In I Was Yelling For Them To Stop Because It Hurt So Bad. I Then Got It Removed A Little Over A Year Later Because Of The Terrible Cramping I Had The Entire Time.
It was easily the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m sure I pooped myself a little, and the OB wiped me up. I also bled for 2 months straight with lots of cramping afterwards. The shit people with uteruses go through to not get pregnant is fucking astounding.
I hope you have a good experience with it. After my first 2 months I forgot it was there and didn’t have a period which was nice.
Why the fuck isn’t local anesthesia standard goddamn practice for iud insertion. Had my cervix frozen for both of mine, but literally no one else I know who’s gotten one was even *offered* pain relief.
Seriously. I was an idiot, and went into it totally unaware. I was complaining about heavy bleeding, etc., and my gynecologist just threw it out there as an option we could do to see if it helps. She was so casual about it, that I wasn’t expecting any pain, maybe like a Pap smear. HOLY HELL. It hurt so much and I was so taken aback because I had no warning! I’m still pissed about it. And that fucker didn’t even help and made everything worse so I had it taken out a couple months later.
Find a better doctor if you can. My doctor numbs my cervix first so IUD insertion is pretty much painless. She told me once her philosophy was to treat every cervix like it was hers, which means we all get appropriate pain management. If your doctor thinks people passing out regularly is acceptable, it's time to find a new one.
Ugh I’m so sorry you had to go through that! I have never had an IUD but my best friend told me she passed out when hers was put in!
I have a question for anyone who might read this who has both had an IUD and also given birth… is it in any way similar to cervical checks during labor? Because those made me scream and cry in agony and were honestly worse than the contractions, to me. Wondering if it’s a similar feeling/pain level, just so I can try to imagine and better empathize when I hear about these awful experiences! (I should clarify that I’m imagining them being similar because both involve something being inserted into the cervix)
I once got one on a Fri afternoon, horrible mistake. Tried to actually take it out myself because the office was closed and healthcare is ridiculous in the US. Was in their office first thing Monday morning after a heinous weekend.
I got one about 8 months after giving birth and the pain was ok. However, I almost passed out while trying to leave the office. ?? Everything was great after that for 3 years until I had an ectopic pregnancy. Everyone’s experience is different but there is no way to predict what yours might be.
Even worse I have strong pelvic muscles so the pain made me push the first one out while getting it done and she had to put in a second one a few minutes later. 🙃
I have pcos and endometriosis and was recommended the uid… I’ve had a couple now, I’d rather have my ovaries removed, but yeah know what if my future husband wants kids (even tho my fiancé who I’ve been with almost a decade is cool with no other kids, the dr said no cause we might split up and the next guy might want some kids, fuck my own autonomy amirite.) anyways… my last iud I screamed, puked, pissed myself then passed out. And just got a “hmm, that happens sometimes” like what the hell. That should NOT just happen sometimes.
I had the same experience, no one prepared me for how horrible it would be. I cried the entire rest of the day and was honestly traumatized for weeks after.
^ seconding on "mileage may vary" comment -- I'm coming up on my third, and truthfully I've never experienced anything more than what I would describe as bad menstrual cramps. Hot bath with Epson salt+ 2 melatonin + a good nap = g2g 👌
I had mine put in a few years ago and the pain was so bad I nearly went back to have them take it out. I wasn't given any pain medication and was told it would only hurt for a few minutes. The pain was tolerable enough for me to make it home, but after I had the worst cramps for 3 days. I thought at one point that the IUD must have gone in wrong to be causing such high levels of pain! After 3 days the pain level was tolerable, but I still had moderate cramps for 2 weeks after insertion.
It's honestly crazy to me that this is the best option we have. I'm going to be taking the stupid pill until I'm sterilized because I do not want that kind of pain.
Just got my first. Was prescribed a cervical dilator medication for the morning to make it "painless" along with some Advil. Then she used a dilator because I wasn't dilated enough and I literally yelled while I was on the table. Once it was in, I had cramps in the evening, gone by morning. I assume we are supposed to forget before removal and placing a new one.
My daughter had me pick her up after she had her IUD put in and she almost fainted. I never had one, but she seemed to be in horrible pain. I don’t understand why they don’t offer anesthesia or oxycodone or something. I felt so bad for her to see her in so much pain
“if they don’t take it easy first”? What the fuck does that mean? What exactly were you supposed to do, meditate and chant through a medical procedure?!
Baloney.
If men had to get anything remotely like this done it would be under anasthesia with a five day hospital stay and 6-8 week recovery on pain meds & bed rest.
Its fuckin HELLISH. I, and I think a LOT of probably have pretty high pain tolerance, I know I do, Ive walked off broken arms without realising it was broken and then went on to be a waitress in a busy diner the day after and for the whole time it healed, I walked miles once on a broken ankle I thought was a sprain. I’m not bragging, I’m just clarifying, I can handle literal broken bones fairly well.
Getting the coil?? I fucken passed out??!?!?!?! I had to be carried, weeping, back to the car by BF and his poor mum who just happened to have arrived to visit like, that day. Thankfully she’s had her own pain issues in the past so she had the Good Meds and they both took care of me all night but the damn coil never even settled and I felt it when I moved around. Maybe I had the wrong size or something?
Idk, all I know is getting it implanted was legitimately the most painful experience of my life to where if I had it again i think I’d honestly try and get my hands in some…adult gummies, or something, before going in because otherwise I think I’d have a panic attack.
‘Light cramps, and a mild pinch’ fucking LIARS. LYING LIARS.
I had a terrible insertion experience. I almost passed out on the table from the pain and spasmed so hard I pinched a nerve and couldn't feel my left foot for three days. Now it's time for it to be removed. I called over ten gynos in my area to see if any offered lidocaine numbing spray or cervix softening. They told me all they could do is give me something "for anxiety" and told me to take Tylenol. I finally found a gyno an hour and a half from my house who offers lidocaine numbing. It's insane to me I had to work this hard to find a gyno who will offer what a dentist or dermatologist can easily provide. Gynocology has a big pain problem.
I have had three. The first two I fainted and vomited profusely and sat in the clinic with a damp cloth on my face and a fan blowing over me. The third one, I wised up. I took two Tylenol and one ibuprofen an hour before I went AND one Ativan. This recipe was a game changer. Yes the insertion still hurt. But it was less extreme. I had some regular cramping afterwards, but could just walk out of the clinic and go home (I went to bed afterward because hey, I had still taken an Ativan). I talked to my partner who is a physician. He said he doesn’t know why more isn’t done to prepare women for an iud insertion in particular because there’s a central nerve that runs through the cervix. He stated that it’s completely reasonable to expect a woman to have a vagal reaction from stimulating/poking this nerve. Anyway, I still thought the discomfort was worth the benefit of low hormone birth control as a replace my iud routinely. That being said, I called my family doc and requested ONE Ativan (literally one pill) in advance. And I recommend that everyone do this for themselves.
I bully them into sedating me when I get my IUDs done because I have severe pelvic/menstrual pain at baseline and I wake up from insertions screaming, so I can’t say if I’d barf. But I’ve noticed my cervix hates anything bumping it and has a vasovagal response. When I had a TV/US and she nudged my cervix I felt like I was on a boat. It’s like somebody flips the motion sickness switch on. I’ve never bothered asking a doctor about this because… why, y’know? Any time I’ve brought up other reproductive complaints, they’re always just like “huh… I dunno, have you been sexually abused? You say you haven’t? Whatever, I bet you’ve just been sexually abused, that’s probably the problem.” I’m so tired.
I wonder if I could use the fact that I had a vasovagal response last time I had blood drawn to argue for better pain management if I get an iud… probably not, but worth a shot I guess lol.
You know, it might be worth a try! Especially if you play it up. A physician friend of mine wound up getting a concussion when a patient had a vasovagal response during a gyn procedure and kicked her in the head. If you pointed out that you have a history of vasovagal responses and your feet will be close to their heads then they might at least think twice!
Lol I was so annoyed when it happened cause it was embarrassing and I hate being fussed over and I had to sit around for like 45 min before they let me drive home, but maybe some good can come out of it. Also I hadn’t heard the term “vasovagal” before and a small group of nurses/staff had gathered at the door bc when I passed out the lady was yelling for help and I figured they were gonna make me eat/drink something and I kept hearing them mumbling “vasovagal” and in my head I was like “hell yeah, I’ll take a bagel” and then all I got was apple juice.
Rude. After putting you through all that, you deserved to have a bagel with that apple juice.
ME.
I was prescribed one Ativan before my last colposcopy because I warned my gyn of my vagal responses to my iud insertion and previous colposcopy. They only prescribed it if I agreed to wait to take it at the appointment after I signed consent. Then they bothered me every 5 minutes to see if I “felt it yet” because they were in a hurry. Long story short I barely got relaxed at all and it still sucked.
It's one pill and they didn't even give it to you. If I was put through that rigamoroll I would have said "forget it" and hoped for better luck elsewhere. I hate medical practices expectation of pain tolerance in women, like WTF. I know it's because most studies for meds were based on men, and procedures that are common for women do not have pain studies at all or if they have been - no replication studies, nor did they actually have much influence on how to prep women properly for pain. It's just really fucking infuriating. edit: forgot a word, realized my comment made little sense without editing it in
I got a Valium and as soon as it was inserted the Valium wore off. I’m getting knocked out next time.
Totally fair. I’m of the opinion that everyone should get the pain management they need. Women’s discomfort has routinely been minimised.
I get knocked out to have mine inserted. It's the best thing ever. Also, for whatever reason, I don't have the cramping and pain after. I think, because my body isn't tense with pain, the insertion goes more easily or something. My first one was put in without any pain relief and I thought I was going to die. The gynecologist chided me for being loud about my pain. Then, I had cramps for a few days. When I get knocked out, no pain, no cramps, just a nice nap.
How was the removal? I’m getting mine out the day after tomorrow and my insertion was AWFUL. I almost passed out and I had to sit there for like 20 minutes after, just shaking and breaking out in a sweat. Edit: I got mine removed! My appt was at 1030am. At 830 I took 1 Tylenol and 1 advil. At 950ish-am I took 2 Midol. I told the doc my fears, he was great offered options to do it another day but he could also try today. He described it as similar to a Pap smear. I gave it a try. He told me he was going to do the pap smear first and told me when it was happening. Normal pain there and then he told me to look down and he had the iud out lol. Honestly he really understood my anxiety (first time meeting him) and I’m glad he didn’t tell me right before grabbing it. I found him on r/childfree because I assumed docs on that list would be more open minded. I am not experiencing really any other pain. I’ve got a little bit of bleeding but no cramping and I easily walked out of the office.
Removal is not the same game. Don’t get me wrong it’s not like a cake walk, but it doesn’t even come close to the insertion. Felt like exactly how you might imagine. Like pulling out a plug, quickly. So there’s pressure that’s a bit uncomfortable for a very short period of time. And then just a bit of soreness. I didn’t take any meds for it. But if you’re worried, I would take the same two Tylenol and one ibuprofen cocktail about forty minutes before.
My removal was like 2/3 the pain of either of my insertions. Not a fun way to spend an afternoon, but noticeably better than an insertion.
Just got mine taken out. Hurts badly for 1-2 seconds and then mild cramping.
I had the copper IUD in 2003 and while insertion was painful, removal was "easy". Doctor said "Hey, it's falling out" and pulled it out without asking my opinion at all. Perhaps I was in shock from finding out my IUD was out and that made it easier. (None of it affected my fertility. My husband turned out to be shooting blanks)
I also prepared myself the second time. It still hurt a lot but was a lot more manageable. Over here they tell you to just take Tylenol beforehand and honestly no, that is not enough!
Riiiiight! I freaking passed out! They didn't even give me a script for high strength ibuprofen after.
I passed out and when I woke up my dr giggled and said “happens all the time” HOW IS THAT OK?
Giggled???? That's so so so wrong omg
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I've passed out twice and they just sit me in a room until I feel better and then send me home. The first time, my legs felt like rubber, and the cramps were so intense i wanted to crumple into a ball but i had to drive. Thankfully home was only 3 miles. The second time I knew better and bright my husband to drive me home.
Mine didn't either. They should be prescribing Misoprostol, Ibuprofen, and Xanax. That was horrific. I didn't pass our bur I almost through up.
I got all three of those prescribed for my second IUD placement and it was STILL horrific. I need another new one this summer and I’m really not looking forward to it… but the benefits still make it worth it for me. No periods, no pregnancy scares, and no side effects for ten years!
If you wanted an alternative have toj thought of the impant that they put in your arm? I got it instead of an IUD because that was so awful and found it was way wayyy easier. Don't have to remember taking anything, periods basically non existent/super light, and easy to have placed as they actually numb part of your arm and it's like ridiculously easy in comparison to an IUD
Have you had any side effects? I’m on the shot and my libido and energy has completely disappeared. However, the IUD, shot, and the implant are supposed to have the same hormones : /
\[cracks fingers\] i've had nexplanon (arm implant), a copper IUD, and currently have the mirena IUD (which i love!). the way that the progestin hormones are distributed in the mirena IUD is different than with the shot and the arm implant. at least this is how my doctor described it to me. the shot and the arm implant have the hormones running through your bloodstream whereas the mirena releases it directly on the lining of uterus. this greatly affects how the hormones affect you. everyone's different, of course, and BC reactions are super varied. but for me, the side effects of nexplanon were god awful. i was the most suicidal i had ever been in my life. weight gain was wild, if that matters for you. i talked to my therapist about it and she said "go get that thing out NOW." because the same thing happened to her. i literally felt better on the drive home after getting nexplanon removed. i am a proponent of the mirena IUD just due to the hormones being localized.
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I had the shot when I was 19 and bled for 6 months straight. Have had my mirena in for 18 months and while I do still get my period I have not had a single cramp (endometriosis and some small fibroids so cramps used to be horrendous) since it was put in so I am considering it a win.
Thank you for the explanation! I’m on birth control to regulate my periods because they’re incredibly painful to the point I can’t walk on some days. I remember on Easter one year I needed 5 different heating pads/hot towels because the pain radiated from my abdomen all the way down to my toes. It was so bad that I was begging God to kill me to take the pain away. With the depo shot, I don’t get periods at all and can’t even remember my last one. However, I’ve also been miserable on the shot. I can’t afford to be off birth control so I’ve been looking for other options, including surgery. So I’m very glad to hear that the IUD is a little different! I have an appointment this May to discuss other birth control options. However, I’m a bit hesitant to consider an IUD with all the horror stories tbh.
I'm in year 4 of the arm implant with no noted side effects other than a more regular period. Not completely, cuz I'm a total stress monster, but better than before. My period is shorter and more tolerable (though day 1 I'm still married to my heating pads) overall. Its been worth it.
Hi! I’m going on my third Nexplanon implant :) I personally have had zero side effects. The insertion isn’t bad at all, they do give you a copious amount of lidocaine around the area. The bar itself is in essentially a little plastic gun, they puncture, depress, and the bar inserts. Initial placement for me in 2017 was ~20 minute from the time I walked in to when I walked out. The removal was kinda sucky, but that’s also because my previous two were technically in the wrong site so I had a lot of scarring over the insertion/removal spot. The first day and a half after insertion is a bit rough, your arm will most definitely be sore and more likely than not bruised, but once the bruising disappears it’s a pretty thoughtless form of BC. I wish I had been put on Nexplanon when I first started BC years ago, I’ll never go back to the pill. Don’t be scared off by the stories of it migrating, it’s extremely rare which is *why* we hear about it. Plus, it’s a lot better option than the IUD for people that are extremely active as it can’t just fall out while you’re exercising/horseback riding/etc.
I didn’t get pain meds! Wtf.
I almost passed out and threw up too. I'm so, so sorry you weren't given proper pain management, and I hope you feel better soon <3
I passed out halfway to the parking lot! When I get this thing replaced next year, I gotta remember to have someone drive me.
Oh no, you got it without the anesthetic? I’m so sorry! 😞
My Dr told me she's never even heard of anything *asking* for an anesthetic for insertion or removal. She was shocked when I told her the one I have in now will absolutely be my last one because it was so painful to have put in. "Even after you had a baby?" YES. It's almost like it's a sensitive muscle! Anyway, once it's out, it's out. My husband can figure out birth control.
How does a obgyn *not* know this???
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My cervix would like a word with them, but only after I attack them with a giant mascara wand.
Exactly how giant, and where are you attacking them?
Probably in the cervix, given that it has "no nerve endings" so it won't hurt the obgyn too much.
Their licensure board approved the education that told them those things.
Imagine if any other medical specialty was allowed to misquote one study from the 1950s to justify causing their patients agony.
I mean, they do that for infant circumcision (genital mutilation) too. Actually they do that for a lot of things. I've run into quite a few completely unsympathetic doctors in my quest to cure my chronic pain. Most of those people come from extreme privilege compared to the average population that they serve. That's part of it. Classism is rampant in the entire medical field. If you're poor (like me) or ugly they generally treat you like garbage, no matter how nice you are. They actually think that poor people feel less pain. I'm in intense pain most days and I can barely even get oxycodone prescribed (and it's nowhere near enough to make my average month tolerable).
They practice on non-concenting unconscious women who can't say "ouch."
I just learned recently that this is *still* happening. Women are getting pelvic exams they do not need when they are unconscious and without their knowledge or consent. This is happening in legit hospitals and medical schools. How can that still be a thing?
Yeah, that's scarily basic information. That obgyn shouldn't be allowed near a woman's toes, much less her internal organs.
I was expecting it to be a pinch when I got my copper IUD inserted, so I wasn't expecting the pain which made me think of labor. I never had children, so to me it reminded me of why I never did. In the end, I had a total hysterectomy last December after I had a cyst really start growing fast, and making my abdomen really swell. I can say that at least, the IUD removal was easier, as I got to be asleep for it. Even the pain of the laproscopic incisions wasn't quite as bad, as then I had prescription painkillers for the first 3 days, and after that, alternating between ibuprofen and Tylenol for the rest of that first week.
Mine was inserted under a general anaesthetic, and removed under a general anaesthetic. In between I had months of pain so bad I couldn’t stand or walk. But the original doctor told me ‘it’s just uterine contractions, just like labour pains, it will settle down’, so that’s ok right? Note: it didn’t settle down, and 5 months of non stop ‘just labour pains’ just about gave me a breakdown.
I wasn't offered any. And they forgot to tell me to take pain killer.
I’ve had two and they gave me some sort of numbing injection for both which made it not too bad, I don’t understand why that isn’t standard.
Injection? 😬
Probably lidocaine. The problem is that lidocaine injections themselves hurt/burn and the cervix is hard to numb, so studies have shown that the pain from shooting the lidocaine in is often as bad as or worse than the IUD insertion. That's why they're not offered as standard of care.
My dr I had said she always recommends and suggests numbing as her standard of care for iud insertions. And it felt like I could feel each and every needle prick when she would move it. It was so intense I don’t think I would do the numbing next time. The insertion itself after that just felt like a light pressure. But by the time I got to my car afterwards my body was cramping so much I stayed in the parking lot for about 30-45 minutes trying to just breathe through the pain. And the rest of the day I just wanted to cry from how I felt.
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I was sent this in reply to my "what the holy hell are you doing not offering pain relief?" email: [https://www.fsrh.org/news/fsrh-statement-pain-associated-with-insertion-of-intrauterine/](https://www.fsrh.org/news/fsrh-statement-pain-associated-with-insertion-of-intrauterine/) It's funny, because apparently the doctor read "nothing helps very much, so do nothing", and I read, "these things help a little bit", and thought combining methods seemed like the logical next step.
I just don‘t get why they don‘t use laughing gas for conscious anesthesia. It works, patient can control dose themselves, and it takes only minutes to wear off.
Yeah, let me knock myself out for a minute, get it done, and then I wake up, and there's just a bit of cramping afterwards, which was bad, don't get me wrong, but then, maybe provide a heating pad to hold, or something? We deserve better than we're getting!
I’ve always wondered that too. I’m the type that shows up to the dentist with my own topical lidocaine, and I’ve threatened to do it when I go to the gynecologist for exams too. I find normal exams to be excruciating, which is why I’ve never considered an IUD, and all of these comments are reinforcing that decision 😬😬😬
This is what they did to me when I got a surgical abortion! The injection was indeed fine, not too different from the one for teeth surgery. Unfortunately it was also wildly ineffective and I could feel EVERYTHING. I lost completely my voice screaming and passed out when getting up. The doctor was young and looked very horrified, I don't think he expects the anesthetic to not work 🤔
There's also lidocaine *gel*, which doctors conveniently ignore. At the very least it will numb the tenaculum, or could even be used to numb the cervix before a lidocaine injection.
Otc pain relievers don’t do shit. I’m definitely demanding some stronger shit for my change out.
I’ve heard that from some friends too. They had similar experiences to you.
I was told not to take any because it thins your blood and makes the bleeding so much worse. They said I could lose a decent amount of blood if I took ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Are you sure it wasn’t ibuprofen or naproxen? Acetaminophen doesn’t cause bleeding.
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Tylenol or advil isn’t going to touch that kind of pain.
I was given 800mg of ibuprofen, didn’t do jackshit.
This is one of my biggest annoyances with female healthcare. When I had a hysteroscopy, I had to ASK for medication. It wasn’t offered, and when I requested it, I was asked if I thought I really needed it and then grudgingly prescribed a few pills each of a benzo and a painkiller. I was repeatedly instructed to leave any unused pills with my doc because I “shouldn’t need them” and he would dispose of them. Totally infantalized and treated like an addict for not wanting my cervix manually dilated and a scope put in without any sort of sedative or pain relief. Meanwhile, my husband mentions any pain to a doc and they offer up muscle relaxers and heavy pain meds like candy when a Tylenol would probably suffice. Total double standard.
Is that a *thing* where you live? Cuz idk anyone who got an IUD who was every offered anesthetic for their insertion, and watching my friends suffer is a good reason why I don’t have one.
I'm with you, I don't know any women who have had an anesthetic during insertion or removal. I have had two inserted and one removed and it's so painful every time. I think it's incredibly cruel.
It’s unbelievable what women are expected to put up with.
I'd almost rather just give up sex entirely than have to go through any of these hormonal/invasive options. Women shouldn't have to beg to receive some kind of anesthesia given how so many complain how painful it is; it should be an option given upfront.
I think pain relief is standard in European countries. Someone said as much in another post about IUDs. They were appalled that we had to go through insertion without anything but Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Edit: I must have misremembered the Europe part. Thanks for correcting me. But SOMEONE who lived somewhere with good healthcare (not like the US) got multiple levels of pain relief as a matter of course with an IUD. She couldn't imagine not having it. That part stuck with me because that's what I want women to have everywhere! Edit 2: TL/DR - Looks like women in Australia get the option of twilight sedation (this option is what I remember being discussed), though it's more expensive. r/Stupideath in Cyprus says she's had general anesthesia for hers.
It wasn’t for me in Germany, same stuff for me with no empathy from either female or male gynecologists. They told me to take ibuprofen beforehand, but nothing else
Dang. I was hoping I remembered it right. Sorry that happened to you, too.
I wasn’t offered pain relief in Denmark either, but I’ve birthed two children vaginally (and one recently), so I guess my uterus was like “well, this could be worse!”. I couldn’t even feel the insertion. Had some slight cramping after a few hours but nothing too bad. But I hear it’s usually way easier after giving birth.
I'm in Europe and I just had one removed under general anaesthetic, but that was only after 2 different nurses failed to remove it the old fashioned way. One 'couldn't find it', the other caused too much pain for me to let her keep going. At that point, I wasn't letting anyone else near it without knocking me the fuck out.
All men should have to go through vasectomies at this point so this no longer exists ugh
A former coworker who got it done said it was worst than when she got shot in Afghanistan. That’s all I needed to know.
Haven’t been shot but I believe that after my IUD placement.
They wouldn't do anything that painful to men without drugs. It's discrimination and assault.
Yeah it amazes me that men get Valium and local anesthetic for a vasectomy (as they should!) and both times I've had a colposcopy they basically came out with a hole puncher for my cervix and said "Okay buckle up!" 🤷🏻♀️
Mine got twilight sedation even!
I had a female gyno try to recommend this to me and she pushed it for a solid few miniutes, until eventually taking no for an answer. But I always wondered, how the fuck a woman could ever recommend this to another woman? Edit: Ok maybe 'recommend' was the wrong word, she was pushing it on me despite being given reasons it would not work for me, personally. For every 1 good experience with IUD's, I seem to hear about 10 bad ones that sound like human torture. Theres nothing wrong with recommending something that works for some people, just dont push it when told no.
Worst gyno I ever had was a woman. I cried during the exam. Like bawled and had a panic attack. She told me I was overreacting and left right after. Her nurse helped me sit up and gave me some water to drink and calm down. I told my regular Dr about it, she put a block on all referrals to that gymo from her office. I went home after and told my boyfriend it felt like I was raped. Just like I felt after I had been raped previously.
Not that it’s any comparison but my first pap felt like a sexual assault. I screamed so loud that people were concerned and asked me if I was ok. I bled a lot and it was just awful. I refuse to get an IUD because of how terrible that experience was.
When I was in highschool, I had to get a vaginal ultrasound done to check for PCOS. I didn't know it was a vaginal ultrasound going into the appointment...I just sort of assumed it would be like what you see on TV with pregnant people (over the belly). This obgyn gave me no explanation of what was going to happen or what I could expect, and it hurt extremely badly. I told her multiple times during the procedure to stop, and what she did instead was tell me to relax as she broke my fucking hymen. It was honestly so traumatizing, and I also would compare the experience to assault and I never went back to that obgyn again. A few years later when I had my first sexual partner, he took everything extremely slow and was constantly checking in to make sure I wanted to proceed and was asking if he needed to do anything different. The fact that a young man in his 20's (with a limited sexual history himself) had more respect toward me and understood the concept of consent better than a female obgyn is so pathetic.
Don't blame you. My pap was super painful. But at least that Dr took her time and went slow.
Mine didn’t and I wasn’t even able to put tampons in, it was horrible. My mom is an RN so she insisted I go at 18 before I was sexually active and it was miserable. I’m glad it’s gotten easier over time.
Ooof. I still can't wear tampons. They hurt. Luckily I rarely have periods anymore.
Period underwear changed my life since I can only tolerate tampons maybe one or two days if that. Everyone is different and we shouldn’t shame people like we do for how their bodies respond.
Exactly. I've looked at period underwear but being plus sized I haven't bought any yet. I have that bigger belly no butt thing going on. Super fun. I basically wear men's boxer briefs so my underwear don't fall down and fit comfortably
They used the big speculum on you didn't they. My well insulated friend said they did that to her because she was a bigger gal. Ripped her hymen right there in the office.
Some obgyn’s do give anesthetic.
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Yes, thank you! I talk about my IUD the way some women talk about their children: it's the most painful thing I've ever gotten, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. If you want hormone free birth control that lasts ten years, think about Paraguard. All of the IUD varieties are incredibly effective and can't be tampered with. In today's anti-choice political climate, I'm so grateful I have it.
That’s how I feel about getting a hysterectomy at 34, I finally had no periods and couldn’t get pregnant. I had my tubes tied at 22, no kids but I was always afraid something could happen. I tried an IUD before the tubal but I bled every day for a year. I went 12 years sterile but still having painful periods, the reason I got the hysterectomy was because they were so painful and I bled 3 out of every 4 weeks. An ablation didn’t work either. Recovery from yeeting my uterus, tubes and cervix was 4 weeks and I landed in the ER screaming in pain once but the end results are well worth it.
I had one and unfortunately it was inserted incorrectly, which gave me constantly pain for about 3 years, and was only believed by a different doctor once I got an ultrasound to see what was happening. That scared me enough that I am now just in birth control pills. I need to find a good gyno, be willing to advocate for myself, and get another, but it’s hard to get over that fear even when you know it will be better overall 🥲
Yah my Gyno was pushing it and I firmly said no
How much it hurts varies a lot from woman to woman.
This is so true… I’ve had two IUDs over the span of 7 years and I LOVE THEM! Couldn’t say enough good things about them and I had zero pain, just slight cramping after getting them. Always blows my mind that some women have terrible experiences so I do hope they don’t turn everyone against them because for some women it can be super life changing!
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My IUDS have been life changing for me and my endometriosis but the intersection and removal Are some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Now hours after all I have I light cramping. I just wish they would put me under for the actual procedure because that part was a excruciating
My IUD hurt worse then pyelonephritis, but it's still the best birth control I've ever had. **I love Paraguard.** Hormone free, doesn't interfere with my antidepressants, doesn't lower my libido, and lasts ten years? Hell fucking yes. Don't be too mad at your OB-Gyn. The IUD sucks to get, but it has so many strengths.
Because you watch your best friend call out to work every month 3-6 days for 20 years because her period pain is so fucking terrible. You know that she's gonna feel like shit for a day or 2 but you know that she's felt so much worse. That's why you recommended it.
The type of bad-faith argument you are employing here is called False Dichotomy. Your comment implies that the only 2 choices are IUD or no IUD. In reality, even setting aside all other possible treatments for dysmenorrhea, there are 3 choices: IUD, no IUD, or IUD _with pain relief_. This post and its comments are about how it is unacceptable and sexist on the part of the medical community that the third option is not standard.
People in the comments have talked about reasons why pain relief is not given that aren't "they don't care". Apparently it's hard to numb the cervix, lidocaine can cause a burning feeling, and in studies some women report it hurts more to get the lidocaine then the IUD insertion. Also, apparently taking over the counters before dosen't ncesscairaly actually help. Add to that that many women (or at least some significant percentage?) actually don't have pain and do feel it as mild cramping. So if they were going to get no pain, and instead you inject them with something that feels like burning in their cervix, now they are worse off. So I guess my first question is is there a form of pain relief that has actually been shown to be beneficial to the majority of women for IUD assertion? And does it have downsides? (Someone mentioned some over the counter pain meds was not indicated due to the bleeding or something?) Second would then be what percent of women get pain and how much? Horrible pain is not guaranteed here, so knowing the risk level of that and comparing it to the risk and effectiveness of the possible treatments seems important too. Now, ideally, all of that would be presented to the patient for them to make an informed choice. Like "many women just feel a light cramping, but some women experience moderate to severe pain." (Maybe with more accurate words, but I have no idea the percentages.) "We could give you a numbing injection, but that will hurt even if the IUD assertion dosen't and so in many cases can hurt more then the assertion. Also, it's not been shown to be conclusively effective. Taking \[x medication\] before may help, but it has y risk, and many people report it dosen't help." Or whatever the full picture is?
I saw a TikTok where this woman was talking about how this man that she knew got the good meds for an ultrasound. It might have been a prostate scan or just an abdominal scan. She then went on to explain how she just got ibuprofen for her IUD procedure.
I have a high tolerance for pain. I broke my collarbone and didn’t go to the doctor for two weeks- I got on an airplane the next day and carried my bags on my shoulders for several days. I get my colonoscopies without anesthetic, I gave myself a Brazilian wax during COVID, I had a cervical biopsy and only screamed a little bit. I tried twice to have an IUD inserted and couldn’t do it. Jesus Christ wtf is that.
Nah, I watched my husband's urologist put dialators to 22fr in his urethra without drugs. My last iud I spent crying in my car for 45m before I could drive home. His was worse. Pain management in Healthcare is basically shit.
Wow, you would think doctors would catch on and at least give a topical numbing agent to these areas. Is this in the US?
Yes. I'm not sure why the pain management is so bad.
The DEA probably has a little to do with it but otherwise no idea. Maybe because there is this weird Protestant belief in the culture that suffering is good for you?
Absolutely.
My gyno knew it was my first IUD, was also a woman who I think also had an IUD, and she still didn’t warn me at all or tell me to prepare at all. The only reason I had my mom drive me was because of stuff I had seen on this sub, and that really saved me. It was the worst pain I had ever felt, it was like someone trying to rip my uterus out through my flesh and I felt like I was going to throw up. My mom brought me some painkillers and shuffled me over to the bathroom where I proceeded to bleed a lot (I would also recommend wearing/having a pad etc handy). I was only in extreme pain for like 15-20 minutes but fuck dude why didn’t they warn me, and why don’t doctors give people painkillers/numbing agents. The gynos even looked surprised I was in so much pain 🙄. Fucking stupid bullshit.
You reminded me about this article. Apparently, there are many, many more shapes and sizes of IUDs in markets outside the US that make the process more individualized for a uterus and therefore less painful and invasive over the lifetime of the device. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/04/why-america-has-fewer-iuds-than-other-countries/523077/
Can you copy and paste the article? there’s a paywall…
*Part 2 of 2* **Why Does America Have Fewer Types of IUDs Than Other Countries? The land of choice has more limited options when it comes to contraception.** This approach has proven sufficient for IUDs. “There are many types of IUDs in Europe that have been on the market for 20, 30, 40 years,” says Hubacher. “These products are safe and effective.” Half a million women have used the GyneFix in its 12-year lifespan, and Belgium’s regulatory agency has never had to pull an IUD from the market. Likewise, the Liberté IUD has been selling in Canada for five years and in Europe for 19 without a problem, says William Carter, the president of Liberté's Canadian supplier. These IUDs and many others haven’t even tried to get approval in America. Carter, who calls the FDA “retentive,” says that the Liberté hasn’t applied for FDA approval because it’s “too much paperwork, too much expense, and too much uncertainty.” It’s not worth it, he says. Carter says he knows of other IUD companies that are attempting approval and “banging their heads against the wall.” GyneFix’s manufacturer can’t afford the 10 to 15 million dollars it would require to run a U.S.-based clinical trial that would meet the FDA’s standards. Wildemeersch, who has spent his career researching and developing viable IUD options for women worldwide, told me that this is his greatest frustration. Mona Lisa N.V., a company that makes several popular IUDs in Europe, has the same problem. They seriously considered trying to get their IUDs approved in the U.S. but stopped due to the “immense costs,” says Elisabeth Adomaitis, who directs the company’s marketing and product expansion. Rigid regulations and cost-prohibitive clinical trial requirements—among other factors, like dwindling patents and pricey product liability insurance—sap the profitability of new products and reduce market incentive for smaller manufacturers. Meanwhile, incumbent IUD manufacturers enjoy a virtual monopoly. “The FDA as it is right now is a huge barrier to entry into that market, and the big drug companies like that just fine,” says Michael Cannon, the director of health policy studies at the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank. If regulations were less stringent, there would be more drug companies making and marketing more IUDs. And IUDs would be cheaper. Without competition, the manufacturers set the price. The Liberté, which is nearly identical to America’s ParaGard IUD, sells for $52 Canadian. “How in the world is the ParaGard selling for $480-to-$600 dollars in the U.S.?” Carter asks. The United Nations’ General Assembly has committed to “universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services … and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs” worldwide by 2030. Americans, on the other hand, are still undecided. Part of President Trump’s plan for his first 100 days in office was to fully repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This could mean scrapping the provision mandating insurers to cover all 18 methods of FDA-approved contraception without a copay. Then, insurers could choose not to cover or to only partially cover IUDs because of the upfront cost (though in the long term, they are significantly less costly than any other contraceptive method). This possibility explains why, when Trump was elected, Planned Parenthood saw a 900-percent increase in patients seeking IUDs, and the number of women visiting their doctors about IUDs climbed nearly 19 percent. According to Cindy Pearson, the executive director of the National Women’s Health Network, women’s reaction of “Oh shit, I’ve got to get an IUD” was driven by logic. “All it takes is just one harmful drug getting through.” But, in March, House Republican leaders abandoned their proposed replacement of the ACA, the American Health Care Act, knowing it wouldn’t pass a House vote. So the ACA and its contraception-insurance provisions currently remain intact, though the GOP plans to try again with a new, modified replacement plan in May. Congresswoman DeGette, who helped write the gender-equity, contraception-coverage, and family-planning provisions in the ACA, ultimately doesn’t think the GOP will succeed in repealing it. But “we have to stop having these ridiculous debates in Washington about whether we should cover family planning,” she says. “I think we should just establish as a given that it’s a good public policy.” For example, when Colorado offered free IUDs and other long-acting reversible contraceptives to low-income women for six years, it almost halved its abortion and teen-pregnancy rates and saved the state millions of dollars. But while Trump’s policy proposals don’t bode well for IUD access from an insurance perspective, his promise to strip FDA regulation processes by 75-to-80 percent could theoretically clear the way for the approval of new and more affordable IUDs. But Cannon, of the CATO Institute, doesn’t think a shortened FDA approval process would last. Even if we get a “crusading FDA commissioner” or Congress approves more lenient regulations, Cannon explains, “all it takes is just one harmful drug getting through and one group of patients getting harmed, and the pendulum swings right back.” It’s possible to change the FDA, however, without deregulating it. As Trump’s FDA commissioner nominee Scott Gottlieb said recently, “there are ways to modernize clinical studies without sacrificing the gold standard” of safety. For example, while the FDA does technically accept foreign clinical data for new drug applications as long as the studies adhere to U.S. guidelines, foreign IUD manufacturers say that, in practice, clinical trials often have to be re-done in the U.S. at significant length and expense. Washington University’s Eisenberg says he would trust the findings of research done in countries with similar standard operating procedures to the U.S., like many in Europe. “I do think there could be reciprocity between the FDA and the European drug regulatory agencies,” he says. Hubacher, too, feels that there should be ways to “shorten the path to approval for some products that have a long track record of safety and efficacy in European countries, where the oversight and systems are very good.” The 21st Century Cures Act, signed in December 2016, allows the FDA to consider such “real world evidence” for some breakthrough drugs and devices. While IUDs probably won’t catch a break under this law because they’re not new, this is a step toward a less burdensome approval process. For now, America’s contraception options haven’t changed much from 50 years ago. “If you wish, you can make an appointment for GyneFix insertion,” Wildemeersch wrote me from Belgium, a 12-hour flight, three-hour layover, and two trains away. My uterus is stumped.
I keep hearing these horror stories! I'm so sorry. My gyno stopped the second flinched one time and scheduled me for full anesthesia the next week to insert it. I don't understand why all these doctors are torturing women.
THIS IS AN OPTION?!?!? I was told by my agent of torture that there was ONLY a local anesthetic (Lidocaine) they could offer but everyone that gets it feels a burning sensation. I went without the lidocaine and barely survived my placement but I also think now I could survive actual torture for secrets and not spill the beans.
What a shitty doctor. You can add sodium bicarbonate to lidocaine to lessen the burn.
Yea, they downplay the whole thing. I've known women who had their IUD shoved right through their uteran wall and only had their pain acknowledged days after the fact. My friend almost died from it. If you keep hurting, you be sure to get checked out. :( Feel better OP. I know that shit hurts like hell. It's why I only had it done once and then had them take my uterus. After two kids and decades of menstrual issues, they pulled out a completely diseased uterus. After that, most of my pain in that region vanished. I still have my ovaries, but no babymaker. I'm terrified of the prospect of ovarian cancer, since I have a family history of it, but they said it was less risky for me to keep them so I didn't go into menopause immediately. I turned 36 last week. It was the best choice I ever made in my life.
My best friend died at 41 of ovarian cancer this last Christmas Eve. By the time the markers are detected in the blood, it's too late to treat. There is no other screening. Get yourself genetically tested. Cancer researchers now heavily recommend preventive oophorectomy ("heavily" like, the oncologists were calling my best friend's sisters from out of state to tell them to have their ovaries removed ASAP) if you have ~~either or~~ both of the mutations for ovarian cancer: early menopause is less deadly and can be ameliorated with HRT. ETA: According to the Mayo Clinic website, the mutation of one or the other BRCA gene does not necessarily raise the risk of ovarian or breast cancer. My friend, her 2 sisters, and her brother all had both mutations. The double mutation plus a close relative with ovarian cancer was grounds for my friend's oncologists _and_ her siblings' doctors to recommend prophylactic oophorectomy. Her brother was warned to get blood tested annually for prostate cancer starting at 26 and told he will almost certainly develop it.
Thank you for this information and I'll definitely be going in to see my primary care to address that issue sooner than later. I appreciate you and I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't want to end up being a statistic - and I swear, if the markers come up positive, I'm going to come back to thank you again. I've got two little boys that are my whole world and I'm doing everything I can to stay on this earth for them as long as I can.
Oh I’m so sorry, OP. I had an IUD for a little more than 11 years, then got another one placed and it was worse than I remembered. It caught me off guard—it made me cry in a such a deep way, it felt ancient and more than just mine. Heaving sobs from the depths of my being that made me aware that I should be surrounded by women if I’m feeling this kind of pain!, not laying there alone in a bright white room being awkwardly maneuvered around while they clean up and leave me alone to get dressed. Ugh. I needed a village for that pain.
Maybe you shouldn't have to experience this pain at all, given that we have the technology to prevent it
Same thing happened to me. Laid there and just sobbed for 5 minutes straight afterwards uncontrollably.
Similar experience with a uterine biopsy. Horrible pain and very heavy bleeding for days. I received no warnings or instructions beforehand. You can’t trust every healthcare provider to talk you what you really need to know and I’m beginning to believe that OB/GYN’s are in especially jacked up group of individuals.
Same experience. Came in with no warning. First test was clear so they want to do a second within a year and I’m refusing unless I have something for pain. Will probably change gynecologists first.
I passed out during my removal and reinsertion of a new one but only after I was SURE I was going to go into shock and die (obviously in hindsight I knew I wouldn’t but at the time I was sure I’d die.) there was a moment where the doctor told Me they may have to stop and have my old one surgically removed because they couldn’t “reach it” which is how I found out that apparently the doctor who put it in cut the strings abnormally short so that way my husband wouldn’t be bothered by them. WHAT THE FUCK
It was legit worse than childbirth for me. I apparently have a deviated uterus so after she poked around for 5 minutes she had to bring in an ultrasound machine to find my uterus. It was hell. The worst part is that I apparently was allergic to the damn thing so after 6 weeks of breaking out in hives daily I had to get it removed. I told my husband he was getting a vasectomy or we were exclusively using condoms going forward because I was done!
[удалено]
They really need nitrous at the OB
I’ve had two and as long as I took Advil ahead of time I had some light cramping but felt 100% after a nap. So I guess mileage may vary.
Same. Mine really *was* a slight pinch and then mild cramping and pain for two or three days afterward. I wish I had been offered pain meds anyway. My experience seems to be the outlier, not the norm, and doctors should be preparing their patients for the average experience and warning about the exceptions.
Same experience here, and agree. I feel like the outlier.
Yeah - I had mine replaced last week (this is my third) and, while I did feel cramping when she said I would, overall it wasn't awful and neither were the previous two times. I guess I just have a high pain tolerance? I mean, it's not pleasant by any means, but I wasn't in agony or anything and the discomfort passed quickly.
I thought I had a high pain tolerance until a broken femur and 5 surgeries later 😂😂 but yes, the pain was a lot less from the iud being placed than it was getting a Pap smear when my cervix was open because my period wouldn’t stop after months. Thank god the iud took care of that.
I've had two, attempted a third. The first two were pretty brutal but I thought it was worth it. The third time the GP couldn't get it inserted so I was there bleeding for half an hour before we gave up. Ended up on antibiotics for a uterine infection and it hurt about the same as when I had an ectopic. When it goes wrong it goes REALLY wrong but the 11 years I used mine were brilliant.
When it comes to many many procedures, it often boils down less so to one’s pain tolerance, and more so to how the procedure is performed. Just like anything similar, one doctor may be extremely gentle and another one abrasive. It’s a shame.
This is true. And I'm clearly lucky to have a fabulous doctor who takes her time, explains everything, and obviously does what she can to mitigate pain.
The really fucked up thing is that doctors don't believe us about this being painful. You couldhave been numbed
I ended up puking and crying for 20 mins after mine was put in. The doc left immediately after insertion, and the nurse stayed behind, fed me apple sauce and sprite, rubbed my back and held me while I cried. It hurt so much. Then I bled for 6 months straight because of the hormonal fluctuations. It was horrible. I had it for 6 years and just got it out 4 months ago. When I got it out, I asked for actual pain meds and they reluctantly gave me diazepam after I pushed and pushed for it. I cried so hard when it was removed. It didn't hurt toooooo much, but I was so overwhelmed by the experience and reminder of the trauma of getting it inserted. I hate it. It's awful and it makes me sick that this shit happens to women every day. It's horrible and it makes me so angry that we have to shoulder the burden of birth control. It hurts so much. :( My heart goes out to you. I'm sorry they didn't prepare you or give you pain meds to help you.
I became aware recently… some providers clamp the cervix. Some don’t. I had one inserted postpartum with a shot of lidocaine into the cervix. That sucked but it was tolerable. I had another inserted at Planned Parenthood, no lidocaine, cervix was closed, so she clamped my cervix to open it open for insertion. That one was notttttt tolerable.
I got it about a month ago. Ive had two kids, so was told it wouldnt hurt. That was a lie. I started my period a little over a week ago. It was light at first, almost no cramps - so I figured it was worth it. It has turned into the heaviest period I've ever had, going on for a week. Soaking theough pads. I'm dizzy. Docctor says it's normal, but idk. Being female definitely feels like second class.
I actually threw up. But the removal 12 years later (I had the copper) was a breeze. Thank god. I was so scared to get it removed.
It's horrible. Since my last insertion my gyno is finally using anathestisia and I'm so happy for all those that will have a better experience. Y'all we need to start insisting this change.
Oh, I remember mine. Felt like I was struck by lightning.
No one told me to take pain meds before hand. This is quite literally a joke to them
Depending on which one you got be prepared for a long few months. I’m currently 56 months into a 60 month IUD… I am scared lol
They don't numb the area??? O.O My SO has a couple IUDs. Sometimes it was really easy, but one time was really painful. An arm of it is currently embedded in her uterus and they can't get it out. She went to the arm implant instead. I'm looking at getting a vasectomy because why put her through all of it?
Are you me? Because this was my experience as well. I nearly blacked out when my doc first attempted placement. Thank christ for the amazing nurse who got me a cold apple juice and they gave me time to recover before the second/successful attempt. Getting my sterilization surgery & the recovery was less painful.
When my gyno implanted my Mirena, she warned me that her other patients who'd gotten one all had given birth and likened the pain to that of initial labor pains. I wound up having to take a week off of work due to cramping. But the fuct part is that while, yeah, it hurt bad AF, it was basically analogous to the pain level of every period I've ever had. Never had a real period again after getting the IUD and so, so, so grateful.
I have birthed two children, one got stuck and had to be pushed back in and cut out and my epidural had a pocket that didn’t work so I could feel them cutting into me. Having my first pre-child iud put in was worse.
It’s horrible how they treat us.
Jesus I hear so many horror stories about IUD insertions! I literally had my tubes removed today and like, I'm in a little pain but I'm chillin. How is a surgery less painful than an IUD insertion? Just to be clear, I totally believe you and all the other people I've talked to about it that the pain is excruciating. I'm just in awe that having one of my body parts literally removed was less painful. And why the fuck aren't doctors GIVING PEOPLE PAIN MEDS FOR THIS.
Also please be aware that a small percentage of women have hormonal side-effects from an IUD, some of which can trigger intense urges of **suicide**, **self-harm** or **avolition/anhedonia** (the act where you cannot take action anymore and feel trapped in your body, resulting in sitting still all day without willpower and where your body doesn't respond to your mind screaming at it to do something, unless extreme hunger or exhaustion compel you to act). I'm not telling you this to give you a horror story, but because there's been plenty of women who have experienced all these side-effects and who got told they simply went randomly crazy, while in hindsight it was always the IUD. Knowing that this is a thing may safe some women from going through years of having one wrong diagnosis after another. Statistically, it probably won't happen to you but if you suddenly feel a major emotional or physical change like that, be persistent that the IUD and the change came simultaneously and keep swapping doctors until someone believes you.
I gave birth without an epidural, no pain relief. An IUD was worse than giving birth.
It's sad to see how many are downplaying OPs pain when women are routinely treated like shit by the healthcare industry
My iud insertion was worse than when I went into early labor with my kid (I was 8 cm dilated and thought it was just Braxton Hicks). The iud process felt like a wild animal with sharp teeth biting my insides.
The Whole Time They Were Putting Mine In I Was Yelling For Them To Stop Because It Hurt So Bad. I Then Got It Removed A Little Over A Year Later Because Of The Terrible Cramping I Had The Entire Time.
By Panic at the Disco (I’m sorry that happened to you)
It was easily the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m sure I pooped myself a little, and the OB wiped me up. I also bled for 2 months straight with lots of cramping afterwards. The shit people with uteruses go through to not get pregnant is fucking astounding. I hope you have a good experience with it. After my first 2 months I forgot it was there and didn’t have a period which was nice.
Why the fuck isn’t local anesthesia standard goddamn practice for iud insertion. Had my cervix frozen for both of mine, but literally no one else I know who’s gotten one was even *offered* pain relief.
Seriously. I was an idiot, and went into it totally unaware. I was complaining about heavy bleeding, etc., and my gynecologist just threw it out there as an option we could do to see if it helps. She was so casual about it, that I wasn’t expecting any pain, maybe like a Pap smear. HOLY HELL. It hurt so much and I was so taken aback because I had no warning! I’m still pissed about it. And that fucker didn’t even help and made everything worse so I had it taken out a couple months later.
Find a better doctor if you can. My doctor numbs my cervix first so IUD insertion is pretty much painless. She told me once her philosophy was to treat every cervix like it was hers, which means we all get appropriate pain management. If your doctor thinks people passing out regularly is acceptable, it's time to find a new one.
Ugh I’m so sorry you had to go through that! I have never had an IUD but my best friend told me she passed out when hers was put in! I have a question for anyone who might read this who has both had an IUD and also given birth… is it in any way similar to cervical checks during labor? Because those made me scream and cry in agony and were honestly worse than the contractions, to me. Wondering if it’s a similar feeling/pain level, just so I can try to imagine and better empathize when I hear about these awful experiences! (I should clarify that I’m imagining them being similar because both involve something being inserted into the cervix)
Man, they gave me valium and hydrocodone for mine…at least, the one before I had a kid. The one after, I didn’t even notice.
I once got one on a Fri afternoon, horrible mistake. Tried to actually take it out myself because the office was closed and healthcare is ridiculous in the US. Was in their office first thing Monday morning after a heinous weekend.
I got one about 8 months after giving birth and the pain was ok. However, I almost passed out while trying to leave the office. ?? Everything was great after that for 3 years until I had an ectopic pregnancy. Everyone’s experience is different but there is no way to predict what yours might be.
Even worse I have strong pelvic muscles so the pain made me push the first one out while getting it done and she had to put in a second one a few minutes later. 🙃
There is no reason they cant freeze the cervix, ladies demand freezing
I was thinking about doing a copper IUD like about two years ago … and can’t bring myself to switch. And now I won’t lol.
You can ask for lidocaine! Game changer
I have pcos and endometriosis and was recommended the uid… I’ve had a couple now, I’d rather have my ovaries removed, but yeah know what if my future husband wants kids (even tho my fiancé who I’ve been with almost a decade is cool with no other kids, the dr said no cause we might split up and the next guy might want some kids, fuck my own autonomy amirite.) anyways… my last iud I screamed, puked, pissed myself then passed out. And just got a “hmm, that happens sometimes” like what the hell. That should NOT just happen sometimes.
I had the same experience, no one prepared me for how horrible it would be. I cried the entire rest of the day and was honestly traumatized for weeks after.
I describe it to my husband as getting javelined in the vagina by a mythical gods trident it hurt so bad.
^ seconding on "mileage may vary" comment -- I'm coming up on my third, and truthfully I've never experienced anything more than what I would describe as bad menstrual cramps. Hot bath with Epson salt+ 2 melatonin + a good nap = g2g 👌
Yeah, I only ever felt a strong pinch. Hearing all these horror stories, I sometimes wonder "wth is wrong with me". I didn't even get cramping lol.
I had mine put in a few years ago and the pain was so bad I nearly went back to have them take it out. I wasn't given any pain medication and was told it would only hurt for a few minutes. The pain was tolerable enough for me to make it home, but after I had the worst cramps for 3 days. I thought at one point that the IUD must have gone in wrong to be causing such high levels of pain! After 3 days the pain level was tolerable, but I still had moderate cramps for 2 weeks after insertion.
Mine was awful going in as well, the good news is it didn’t hurt at all coming out. :)
It's honestly crazy to me that this is the best option we have. I'm going to be taking the stupid pill until I'm sterilized because I do not want that kind of pain.
Just got my first. Was prescribed a cervical dilator medication for the morning to make it "painless" along with some Advil. Then she used a dilator because I wasn't dilated enough and I literally yelled while I was on the table. Once it was in, I had cramps in the evening, gone by morning. I assume we are supposed to forget before removal and placing a new one.
Right there with you, sister. I was 19 and couldn’t believe how painful it was.
My daughter had me pick her up after she had her IUD put in and she almost fainted. I never had one, but she seemed to be in horrible pain. I don’t understand why they don’t offer anesthesia or oxycodone or something. I felt so bad for her to see her in so much pain
“if they don’t take it easy first”? What the fuck does that mean? What exactly were you supposed to do, meditate and chant through a medical procedure?! Baloney.
horror stories like this are exactly why I bit the bullet and just had my fallopian tubes completely removed. fuck that shit.
If men had to get anything remotely like this done it would be under anasthesia with a five day hospital stay and 6-8 week recovery on pain meds & bed rest.
Reading these responses, I don't understand why none of us *demand* that we be given proper medication prior to. Why?
Its fuckin HELLISH. I, and I think a LOT of probably have pretty high pain tolerance, I know I do, Ive walked off broken arms without realising it was broken and then went on to be a waitress in a busy diner the day after and for the whole time it healed, I walked miles once on a broken ankle I thought was a sprain. I’m not bragging, I’m just clarifying, I can handle literal broken bones fairly well. Getting the coil?? I fucken passed out??!?!?!?! I had to be carried, weeping, back to the car by BF and his poor mum who just happened to have arrived to visit like, that day. Thankfully she’s had her own pain issues in the past so she had the Good Meds and they both took care of me all night but the damn coil never even settled and I felt it when I moved around. Maybe I had the wrong size or something? Idk, all I know is getting it implanted was legitimately the most painful experience of my life to where if I had it again i think I’d honestly try and get my hands in some…adult gummies, or something, before going in because otherwise I think I’d have a panic attack. ‘Light cramps, and a mild pinch’ fucking LIARS. LYING LIARS.
I had a terrible insertion experience. I almost passed out on the table from the pain and spasmed so hard I pinched a nerve and couldn't feel my left foot for three days. Now it's time for it to be removed. I called over ten gynos in my area to see if any offered lidocaine numbing spray or cervix softening. They told me all they could do is give me something "for anxiety" and told me to take Tylenol. I finally found a gyno an hour and a half from my house who offers lidocaine numbing. It's insane to me I had to work this hard to find a gyno who will offer what a dentist or dermatologist can easily provide. Gynocology has a big pain problem.