A study commissioned by the Dutch reproductive health organization Stichting AVA and conducted by Ipsos I&O indicates that three out of ten women avoid getting an IUD due to fear of pain. A significant portion, one in four, would consider it if stronger pain relief were available.
Currently, the advice is to take paracetamol or naproxen an hour before insertion. The study found that over half of the women with copper or hormonal IUDs reported severe to unbearable pain during insertion, particularly those without children.
More than a quarter experienced moderate pain, while others reported mild or bearable pain. A few felt no pain at all.
Those who suffered severe pain were less likely to consider getting another IUD in the future. Last year, the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) decided to reassess the guidelines for pain management in IUD placement, following criticism of the current recommendation of only using paracetamol or naproxen.
AVA chairperson Alina Chakh noted that nearly everyone experiences pain, contrary to previous beliefs. The study also highlights that pain often persists for two days or more after placement.
Chakh suggests solutions like local anesthesia or sedative sprays, and in some cases, sedation might be necessary. In the U.S., the CDC updated its guidelines last year to include new pain management options like gels or sprays.
The NHG told the ANP news agency that the timeline for revising the guidelines is still unknown, and there is no definitive date set. The NHG stated that while local pain methods are not currently recommended, they are not discouraged either.
Source: NOS