One of the most common questions we hear from women considering an IUD is: “How painful is the insertion?”
The experience is different for everyone. Some women experience brief cramping, while for others the procedure can be quite uncomfortable or painful. We think concerns about pain should be taken seriously, and that women should know what their options are before their procedure.
Experienced IUD care at Bronte
Dr May Tan has been performing IUD insertions for over 10 years, and IUD counselling and insertion are a regular part of her work at Bronte Family Doctors. We offer dedicated IUD insertion appointments every week.
May is passionate about making IUD insertion as comfortable and positive an experience as possible. This starts before the procedure itself, with time to talk through what to expect, any previous experiences or concerns, and the pain relief options available.
What does IUD insertion feel like?
During an IUD insertion, the device is passed through the cervix and placed inside the uterus. The procedure itself is usually quite quick, usually 5-10 minutes, but it can cause strong period-like cramping, particularly when the uterus is measured and when the IUD is inserted.
Everyone experiences this differently, which is why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to pain relief.
What pain relief do we offer?
Depending on your circumstances and preferences, pain relief can include medication taken before your appointment, local anaesthetic and inhaled analgesia during the procedure.
At Bronte Family Doctors, we offer inhaled analgesia during IUD insertion. It works quickly and wears off relatively quickly afterwards. For many women, it provides the extra pain relief and reassurance they need to get through the procedure without needing an insertion under sedation.
If you’ve had a painful or difficult insertion in the past, have endometriosis or pelvic pain, or are simply very anxious about the procedure, please let us know. We can talk about this beforehand and make a plan that feels right for you. Occasionally, insertion under sedation in another setting may still be the better option.
Worried about having an IUD inserted?
Your IUD counselling appointment isn’t just about choosing between a Mirena, Kyleena or copper IUD. It’s also a chance to ask questions, talk honestly about pain and anxiety, and decide how we can make the experience as comfortable as possible.
If you’d like an IUD but the thought of insertion is putting you off, come and talk to us. For most women, we can find a pain relief approach that allows the procedure to be performed comfortably here at Bronte Family Doctors.
