The CDC is issuing new guidance for managing pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. IUDs are a popular form of birth control but have been cited to cause moderate to severe pain with the insertion.
Under the new recommendations, the CDC said medical professionals who administer IUDs are advised counsel patients on managing the pain of having their cervixes dilated to insert the T-shaped contraceptive. However, the CDC stops short of recommending pain medication or local anesthetics for the procedure.
The side effects are different for every woman. Some women said they don’t feel any pain when the device is placed, while others said it’s the worst pain they’ve ever endured.
The CDC’s 2016 guidelines recommended lidocaine shots as a possible medication to help ease pain during IUD insertion. The updated guidance now says women can request the anesthetic in gel, cream or spray form.
A 2019 survey of about 1,000 family planning providers found less than 5% reported using lidocaine during IUD insertion. Instead, they more frequently suggested ibuprofen, which has been proven to not work.
