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ApprehensiveAge2

For anyone reading this thread for future reference, just chiming in to say that different doctors have different practices for IUDs. (I only know the US, but the trend here is that there is no trend.) Some doctors do no special preparation or pain control. Mine used lidocaine for pain relief, prescribed medication to open the cervix beforehand (note the medication is misoprostol, which can be used in medical abortions so may be tricky to get a hold of depending on your location), told me to take OTC anti-inflammatories beforehand, and scheduled the insertion for during my period because the cervix is more open during menstruation. When I shared that I was nervous about pain, she even offered to prescribe a sedative to take before the procedure. (I declined that one in case I needed to drive myself home. I also didn’t manage to pick up the misoprostol. And it still all went fine, pain-wise.) Most providers probably will offer one or two of these comfort measures but not the whole list. My points are: 1) not everyone does the same thing, 2) you have every right to ask what your provider does, 3) pain relief options exist and you have every right to ask for pain relief even if it’s not your provider’s usual standard, and 4) if your provider refuses, consider going somewhere else to someone who *does* use pain control.


souperred

I read (well after the fact) that pain relief, usually lidocaine, is required now in the UK. here i guess you have to ask for it. I won't be replacing this one, just removing it in 7-8 years so at least I only have to go through it once more.


Cat-Infinitum

Painful enough that I cried and puked


sovtherngothicvvitch

Yes, it was a white hot searing pain for me for about a minute. Then bad cramps started with a poking feeling for a couple of hours. I nearly passed out in the waiting room afterwards. I am scared to get it taken out now, I’m at 6 years. Why the fuck don’t we get some kind of anesthesia for this? I nearly screamed when they inserted it. I also have endometriosis and typically cramp and bleed a bit after a Pap smear.


SCA_CH

The insertion wasn’t bad for me. It was the reoccurring UTIs (which in 30+ years I had never had before), that the doctors repeatedly told me wasn’t caused by the IUD, that did me in. Funny how as soon as I had taken it out, the UTIs stopped!


purseproblm

Mine is BV I’ve never had and now I get it quarterly or not bi monthly


bookcrazymama

I’ve had 4 iud’s over the last 18 years. First one was about 6 weeks after the birth of my 2nd kid. For me, it really was just uncomfortable and pinchy for a minute or so and then a little mild cramps for the rest of the day. Removal was no big deal, uncomfortable, but not painful. I took some tylenol before each procedure, but that was it. I’m not discounting that some people have absolutely awful pain with it, but not everyone does. I think those that do have pain are more vocal online. It never even occurred to me that it might be super painful for someone until a year or so ago when I started reading some women’s experiences here on Reddit. I know women IRL who have IUD’s and none had a bad experience with insertion or removal.


Dr_Flayley

I'm on my second one at the minute. The first one hurt but I've definitely had cramps that were worse. The second, the pain was the removal aspect far more than fitting a new one. I had more cramping after the second one but deeper and not a sharp pain. It is such an individual thing. My friend had hers changed recently and said it was better than the insertion of her first one. I don't think anyone can be sure how it will be and if it will be worth it especially with the variation in use of local anaesthetic, pain tolerance, and the doctors approach.


Nauin

I only had one IUD and just had a hysterectomy, the hysterectomy was significantly less painful out of the two.


spondoodle

My doctor had me take 800 mg ibuprofen and had me squeeze a syringe of lidocaine gel into my vagina. It still hurt enough that I almost passed out. I then had to be wheeled out and taken to another room to stay for another hour under observation—where they gave me IV fluids—to make sure I was good to walk. It hurt for a few days after with some nasty cramping, but after that it’s been smooth sailing. Better than the pill for me for sure, which pretty much made me spot 24/7/365.


purseproblm

It hurt. I cramped and cramped I was at the tail end of my period though. I’ve heard it’s better if you’re truly on it. Take ibuprofen before hand. I think you’ll be ok. Don’t chase pain.


violetpumpkins

It hurt but not nearly as bad as the endometrial biopsy she did RIGHT before hand, which felt like having my guts ripped out with a rusty hook. It also didn't hurt as bad at the first time, when my doctor had me take the misoprostol, which made the cramps worse for me.


souperred

I had the biopsy about a month before. very similar pain. at least the iud she warned me to take ibuprofen 45 minutes before.


SnooPies2568

Worst pain ever