A gynecologist needs to insert the T-shaped device into your uterus, a process that is typically quick and not very painful, says Health 's medical editor, Roshini Rajapaksa, MD. But because no two IUD experiences are exactly alike, we reached out to real women for their personal stories.
Here, they share what they felt during the insertion, and whether they would choose to do it again. Allyson switched to an IUD because she was tired of having to think about birth control everyday. I was given drugs to help it dilate … but they just did not work at all.
In fact, I had an allergic reaction to them. The nurse practitioner had to manually dilate my cervix to insert the device," she explains. I'll probably get a third in The rest of the day, I had cramps but the dizziness went away. And now I don't have to worry about it for another 12 years!
I had a young woman about my age in the room — she was my IUD doula and just chatted with me. I maybe winced once but then it was over! I cried after the insertion, I think from relief and emotional exhaustion.
I stuck my hand up there and instead of feeling just strings, I felt the whole dang IUD dangling from my uterus. I was on a very heavy period on my second insertion, which I think was actually way better for insertion. IUD insertion for me has mostly been a winceworthy pain when the arms of the IUD open up inside your uterus. But if they give you a little heating pad for your tummy and you can hold hands with a doctor hero, then it makes it a lot better. Might have even live-tweeted it, but it fully distracted me from how terrified I was.
In the end, it wasn't worse than a pap smear. The fear was serial-killer-in-the-house bad, but the insertion was just a pinch. I'm super happy to have it, as scared as I was to get it, it's better than the endless fear that I would always somehow get pregnant even if I wasn't having sex.
It just takes away the pregnancy panic. On a scale of 10, the pain was a I screamed, I yelled, I cried. It was both painful and extremely uncomfortable and gross feeling. It's been almost 10 years since the first, but I think the second insertion was slightly less painful because my doctor gave me a pill to take beforehand that softened my cervix. The pain after the first insertion was intense, bad enough that I went back then next day quite sure they'd punctured something.
But the pain was gone in a few hours after the second insertion. The injection had completely stopped my periods, but that was a major downside when it came to getting the IUD.
They recommend you schedule your insertion during your period, when your cervix is softer, but as a woman who's never had kids and hadn't had a period for two years, I was screwed. My doctor prescribed painkillers and misoprostol to take vaginally before the insertion.
I don't believe it helped much. The doctor was lovely, and 90 percent of the insertion was just discomfort, but there was under a minute of such blinding agony I could barely see. I've had major surgeries in the past and have a pretty decent pain tolerance but this was something else — at least it was just a short amount of time.
I felt fine for the first 10 minutes afterward, and then my blood pressure dropped and I nearly lost consciousness. I'm not looking forward to getting another one in four years but I will do — it's incredibly convenient and I love not having to worry about pregnancy for such a long time. The pain simply lasted longer, like five to seven minutes. You may feel pain or cramping when your cervix is stabilized or when the IUD is inserted. Scheduling the insertion procedure when your cervix is naturally more open, such as during ovulation or the middle of your period, may help minimize pain.
According to Access Matters , which was formerly called the Family Planning Council, women are most likely to feel cramping or pain at the moment the IUD is placed inside the uterus.
Most women describe the pain as mild to moderate. To help take the edge off the pain of IUD insertion, you may take an over-the-counter analgesic such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen at least one hour before the procedure. You can also talk to your doctor about using a local anesthetic or a cervical block. Rest and a hot water bottle placed on your abdomen are often all you need to get through any insertion pain.
Copper IUDs may cause increased cramping and bleeding for several months after insertion. This is especially likely during your periods as your uterus adjusts to the IUD. If your IUD is expelled, you may experience increased pain or cramping.
IUD uterine perforations are rare, but they may cause severe pain. They may also cause heavy bleeding and severe pain during sex. If pelvic or back pain is severe or persists, it may or may not be related to your IUD. You may have a pelvic infection, an unrelated medical issue, or an ectopic pregnancy, which is rare. IUDs are just one birth control option.
To determine which birth control method is right for you, consider these factors:. Will getting an IUD hurt?
Some experience more significant cramping and pain. This may continue for a few days afterward. Most women find the pain tolerable and feel that the peace of mind that comes with using an effective birth control outweighs any pain or side effects.
Pain is relative, though. The pain and discomfort that one woman may find to be moderate may be considered severe by another woman. Contact your doctor immediately if your pain is severe or not what you expected after insertion.
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