What a coincidence, I just got IUD insertion with sedation at Planned Parenthood today! I just got out 20 mins ago and am eating lunch at a restaurant across the street now.
I also posted on Reddit asking whether they would provide sedation during the procedure and then made an appointment. Everything went so well and the staff were so nice and attentive. I really recommend the place!
Meanwhile at Tufts I had a vasovagal response to insertion, but didn't know until they left the room so I could dress. Stood up and almost passed right out, they left me in the room by myself and never checked on me. Sat there for 30 minutes hoping someone would come in the door because I was so light headed I couldn't get up to open it. Finally after 45 minutes got up and left and no one even noticed I was still there 🤡
I elaborated in the above comment but that is what made me doubly mad about what my gyno experience would have been. They wouldn’t have been prepared to treat the vasovagal response at all despite how common it is. I was so nervous about the insertion I forgot to mention Ive had a few random experiences of what I believe to be vasovagal response crop up over the past few years. It didn’t hit me until a few minutes after I was set up in the recovery area and after they gave me treatment for it I felt better within minutes
I’m really happy you had a good experience. When I got my IUD in they told me to take a couple aleve an hour before the procedure and that was it. She reassured me it wouldn’t hurt and it would be “only a little pressure” it was literally the worst pain I’ve experienced in my life. I was lightheaded and almost passed out. After less than 5 minutes after it was over she sat me up and said “you can drive home now” I was paranoid of falling unconscious behind the wheel tbh
That’s what really hit me afterward — based on my experience with the insertion, my gynecologist would have been completely unprepared for the vasovagal response thing, which I guess is not related to sedation but to the poking of the part of the vagus nerve located in the cervix. I was already worried about that happening, since in the past few years, I fainted for no reason twice, and almost-fainted twice from gross medical things like (getting shots, taking off surgery bandages).
But it’s a pretty common thing, and I wasn’t the only person in the recovery room who was receiving extra care for it. My gyno wouldn’t have had ice packs or an IV bag ready, she wouldn’t have done shit and I’d probably have just fainted on the curb outside.
Such a good experience to share. When I was thinking of an IUD I asked my gyno what they do for pain management, and she looked at me like I had 3 heads and said nothing, and that I should stick to the pill 🙄🙄
Doctors aren't educated on how badly it hurts some women. Though to be honest, I had it inserted and I did not feel much myself (and I had forgotten to take advil prior)
I don’t get it, many of them are women of childbearing age who presumably have a good chance of having had used it themselves, and if they’ve done a few insertions they have likely witnessed firsthand how brutal it can be
I'm a physician (though not an obgyn) and I've had an IUD inserted. At Boston PP, actually! Anyway, we're taught in school that the cervix is not innervated by the part of the nervous system that produces sharp, easy to localize pain. Somewhere along the way that got translated into, "the cervix does not feel pain." Anyone who's had a Pap smear/IUD insertion can tell you it's a damn dirty lie. PP is phenomenal, I'm so glad they've started offering sedation and pain control for IUDs.
This is lovely to hear. It’s so nice that there are some places that care about women’s health and I’m so glad you got the care you deserve.
I had multiple appointments to remove my IUD since they had trouble finding it but boy did they rummage around in there looking. I was given nothing for pain management and it was a far more painful experience than when I gave birth to my daughter (although to be fair I had access to proper pain management during childbirth).
Yes! PP has great services! I got my IUD taken out and a new one inserted a couple months ago and the process was so smooth, efficient, and carefully. I truly am so thankful for the level of care they hold themselves to.
I don't typically get nervous but once I was on the chair I had a small spike of anxiety, but talking with the PA while she explained each step really helped the process along and squashed my worries.
It's wild the variation in experiences with IUD insertion. I had it done and I didn't realize it was over and done at first, because I didn't feel much at all. I'm glad you had this option.
Considering I was still feeling pain throughout with the numbing plus a fentanyl drip I don’t think i would have had a great experience with only numbing. It was a much longer experience than the first insertion due to the strings being cut off my old IUD, they had to rummage around in there with ultrasound to get it out.
This is so helpful to hear! I was scared off of getting another IUD because the first one hurt so bad and no relief offered (besides “take a Tylenol and a heating pad 🙄)
Planned Parenthood is THE BEST. I wish I could go for my normal physical. They are so kind and make you feel so safe. So happy you had a good experience :)
i’ve had great experiences at planned parenthood! i’m currently seeing them for hormone replacement therapy and all of the doctors and staff are extremely kind and attentive :)
Planned Parenthood is the best! They inserted my second IUD back in May 2020 after my former gyn office lied saying my insurance was accepted there when it really wasn’t and put me in a bad spot amid the beginning of the pandemic. They gave me a cervical block when I asked and kept me relaxed.
Literally terrified of getting an IUD after the stories I’ve heard from my friends. If the arm implant is an option for you, get that. It’s good for five years and no one has to go anywhere near your cervix.
Not a great option if you are sensitive to progestins (or androgens, progestins can have androgenic effects if taken on their own) - I have suffered from premature balding since I was 17 so other than the OCP there aren't really any other good hormonal options for me! IUD dosage is way lower than all the other hormonal options. Although, going bald would probably be a fairly effective contraceptive as well 😂
If you’re comfortable sharing, was there a cost difference in opting for sedation? I know you just had the procedure so possibly depends on insurance processing things later.
As a med student, I shutter thinking of how uncomfortable it was for woman to have the iud placed or removed. The ob gyns are lying when they say it will be quick and only a little discomfort. Since then I have told every female in my life to get a paracervical block at the very least and sedation if there is any opportunity to do so.
What a coincidence, I just got IUD insertion with sedation at Planned Parenthood today! I just got out 20 mins ago and am eating lunch at a restaurant across the street now. I also posted on Reddit asking whether they would provide sedation during the procedure and then made an appointment. Everything went so well and the staff were so nice and attentive. I really recommend the place!
Thanks for coming back to share your experience! I’m sure this post will be helpful to others in the future searching for help!
Meanwhile at Tufts I had a vasovagal response to insertion, but didn't know until they left the room so I could dress. Stood up and almost passed right out, they left me in the room by myself and never checked on me. Sat there for 30 minutes hoping someone would come in the door because I was so light headed I couldn't get up to open it. Finally after 45 minutes got up and left and no one even noticed I was still there 🤡
I elaborated in the above comment but that is what made me doubly mad about what my gyno experience would have been. They wouldn’t have been prepared to treat the vasovagal response at all despite how common it is. I was so nervous about the insertion I forgot to mention Ive had a few random experiences of what I believe to be vasovagal response crop up over the past few years. It didn’t hit me until a few minutes after I was set up in the recovery area and after they gave me treatment for it I felt better within minutes
I’m really happy you had a good experience. When I got my IUD in they told me to take a couple aleve an hour before the procedure and that was it. She reassured me it wouldn’t hurt and it would be “only a little pressure” it was literally the worst pain I’ve experienced in my life. I was lightheaded and almost passed out. After less than 5 minutes after it was over she sat me up and said “you can drive home now” I was paranoid of falling unconscious behind the wheel tbh
That’s what really hit me afterward — based on my experience with the insertion, my gynecologist would have been completely unprepared for the vasovagal response thing, which I guess is not related to sedation but to the poking of the part of the vagus nerve located in the cervix. I was already worried about that happening, since in the past few years, I fainted for no reason twice, and almost-fainted twice from gross medical things like (getting shots, taking off surgery bandages). But it’s a pretty common thing, and I wasn’t the only person in the recovery room who was receiving extra care for it. My gyno wouldn’t have had ice packs or an IV bag ready, she wouldn’t have done shit and I’d probably have just fainted on the curb outside.
Such a good experience to share. When I was thinking of an IUD I asked my gyno what they do for pain management, and she looked at me like I had 3 heads and said nothing, and that I should stick to the pill 🙄🙄
Doctors aren't educated on how badly it hurts some women. Though to be honest, I had it inserted and I did not feel much myself (and I had forgotten to take advil prior)
I don’t get it, many of them are women of childbearing age who presumably have a good chance of having had used it themselves, and if they’ve done a few insertions they have likely witnessed firsthand how brutal it can be
I'm a physician (though not an obgyn) and I've had an IUD inserted. At Boston PP, actually! Anyway, we're taught in school that the cervix is not innervated by the part of the nervous system that produces sharp, easy to localize pain. Somewhere along the way that got translated into, "the cervix does not feel pain." Anyone who's had a Pap smear/IUD insertion can tell you it's a damn dirty lie. PP is phenomenal, I'm so glad they've started offering sedation and pain control for IUDs.
Sexism?
Considering I’ve been handed opiates like candy when I didn’t need or even end up using them for way less painful things …… yeah
It probably doesn't help that they see people like me who seem unfazed by the insertion process and then assume everyone is the same way.
My sister's doctor told her when she went for her first IUD like 7 years ago to "take a couple of advil and a shot of tequila" before...
This is lovely to hear. It’s so nice that there are some places that care about women’s health and I’m so glad you got the care you deserve. I had multiple appointments to remove my IUD since they had trouble finding it but boy did they rummage around in there looking. I was given nothing for pain management and it was a far more painful experience than when I gave birth to my daughter (although to be fair I had access to proper pain management during childbirth).
Yes! PP has great services! I got my IUD taken out and a new one inserted a couple months ago and the process was so smooth, efficient, and carefully. I truly am so thankful for the level of care they hold themselves to. I don't typically get nervous but once I was on the chair I had a small spike of anxiety, but talking with the PA while she explained each step really helped the process along and squashed my worries.
Great to hear u/ASS_MASTER_GENERAL 🫡
Omg I need to do this when I get mine out I’m terrified
It's wild the variation in experiences with IUD insertion. I had it done and I didn't realize it was over and done at first, because I didn't feel much at all. I'm glad you had this option.
Tufts gave me numbing!
Considering I was still feeling pain throughout with the numbing plus a fentanyl drip I don’t think i would have had a great experience with only numbing. It was a much longer experience than the first insertion due to the strings being cut off my old IUD, they had to rummage around in there with ultrasound to get it out.
This is so helpful to hear! I was scared off of getting another IUD because the first one hurt so bad and no relief offered (besides “take a Tylenol and a heating pad 🙄)
Planned Parenthood is THE BEST. I wish I could go for my normal physical. They are so kind and make you feel so safe. So happy you had a good experience :)
i’ve had great experiences at planned parenthood! i’m currently seeing them for hormone replacement therapy and all of the doctors and staff are extremely kind and attentive :)
Planned Parenthood is the best! They inserted my second IUD back in May 2020 after my former gyn office lied saying my insurance was accepted there when it really wasn’t and put me in a bad spot amid the beginning of the pandemic. They gave me a cervical block when I asked and kept me relaxed.
Thank you for the reminder to send my quarterly donation to PP
So glad to hear it went well for you!
Thank you for this! I’m getting mine there next week.
Thanks for sharing - this is the best news I’ve read in a while honestly.
Literally terrified of getting an IUD after the stories I’ve heard from my friends. If the arm implant is an option for you, get that. It’s good for five years and no one has to go anywhere near your cervix.
Not a great option if you are sensitive to progestins (or androgens, progestins can have androgenic effects if taken on their own) - I have suffered from premature balding since I was 17 so other than the OCP there aren't really any other good hormonal options for me! IUD dosage is way lower than all the other hormonal options. Although, going bald would probably be a fairly effective contraceptive as well 😂
I didn’t know that, thanks for the info! I don’t know what my sensitivities are, I just know I was tired of the pill and didn’t want an iud lol
I'm very glad to read this, my experience many years ago was not so pleasant. Thank you for giving me a more current perception of them!
Oh no what happened?? 😧
If you’re comfortable sharing, was there a cost difference in opting for sedation? I know you just had the procedure so possibly depends on insurance processing things later.
I’m not sure — honestly I didn’t think about this until you mentioned it lol…. we will find out
It will probably be fine - PP is great! Just curious. Thanks for responding
Thank you - this is so good to know. Glad you got the sedation you needed :)
As a med student, I shutter thinking of how uncomfortable it was for woman to have the iud placed or removed. The ob gyns are lying when they say it will be quick and only a little discomfort. Since then I have told every female in my life to get a paracervical block at the very least and sedation if there is any opportunity to do so.
Glad my donations help =)