The CDC has revised its advice on pain relief for IUD insertion to better assist women.

The insertion of an IUD for birth control may cause discomfort.

The CDC has issued guidelines for managing pain during the procedure.

Some TikTok users have shared videos of themselves in pain while lying on a doctor's table, detailing their discomfort on social media.

Sarah Warren, a single user, revealed that she took ibuprofen an hour prior to her appointment as advised by her physician, but the procedure was still uncomfortable.

"I almost fainted during IUD insertion, and I'm not afraid to say it," she stated. "Improved pain management is necessary for IUD insertion."

A 2014 study in the journal Contraception revealed that health care providers often underestimate patients' pain during IUD insertion.

In the study, patients reported their maximum pain as 64.8 mm on a 100-mm pain scale, while providers rated it at 35.3 mm.

New guidance for pain relief

The CDC has updated its U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024, in response to ongoing demands from patients and healthcare providers.

The agency recommended that patients receive counseling on potential pain, risks, benefits, and alternative pain management options prior to their appointment.

It is crucial to recognize that the experience of pain is unique to each patient and can be influenced by past experiences, including trauma and mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, when considering patient pain.

According to the agency, evidence suggests that employing lidocaine as a local anesthetic or utilizing a topical gel, cream, or spray could decrease patient pain.

Some providers use misoprostol to soften the cervix before IUD insertion, as stated in the notice.

The CDC suggested several alternative options for pain relief, including NSAIDs, smooth muscle relaxants, and analgesics, although the evidence for their effectiveness is limited.

In a statement to Planet Chronicle Digital, Dr. Meleen Chuang, head of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn, pondered on this advice.

"It is encouraging to see the CDC update its guidance in line with the care delivery practices that many OB/GYNs have been following for years."

According to Chuang, using pain relief methods such as lidocaine to numb the cervix or taking medications like acetaminophen and NSAIDs can help alleviate discomfort.

The doctor suggested using a heating pad on the patient's stomach as an alternative to other non-invasive pain relief methods.

Chuang stated that her patients frequently experience comfort during procedures by having their doctors "talk them through" the process.

"Clear communication about what to expect before and during the procedure can improve the overall experience and reduce anxieties," she stated.

"We commonly do these things for patients, which are fast and efficient in placing the IUDS, to make the experience more acceptable."

"If there is fear or concern about pain, we are obligated to help our patients feel supported and at ease," Chuang stated.

According to Yale Medicine, IUDs are over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the CDC for further comment.