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New CDC Guidelines Promise Less Pain During IUD Insertion—Here’s What You Need to Know
This is not intended to provide medical advice. The interview has been edited for clarity and length. Please consult your doctor for any health-related concerns.
The excruciating pain that many women report during IUD insertion is finally getting some attention by the CDC.
After a windfall of women sharing their IUD insertion experiences on social, the government is taking notice. The CDC’s 2024 updates to the U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (U.S. SPR) include new guidelines focused on making the insertion process more comfortable by zeroing in on pain management practices.
What’s New With IUD InSertion?
Pain Relief with Lidocaine: The CDC now suggests using lidocaine—either as a paracervical block or topical gel—to help manage pain during IUD insertion. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that has been shown to be an effective method for reducing pain during IUD insertion. Patients can request the anesthetic from their providers as a topical gel, cream or spray. This is a notable shift from past practices where pain relief options were less standardized.
Misoprostol No Longer Routine: Previously, some providers used misoprostol to ease the insertion process. Misoprostol is a medication used to soften the cervix, dilate and cause uterine contractions. However, the CDC now advises against its routine use, as its benefits were found to be limited and it could lead to unwanted side effects - like more pain. Misoprostol might still be used in specific cases, like after a failed attempt at insertion, but it’s no longer a go-to for everyone.
Why It Matters
According to the CDC, these updates are designed to make IUD insertion as comfortable as possible and improve the overall patient experience. By recommending lidocaine and stepping back from routine misoprostol use, the CDC is outlining clearer options for doctors.
Providers are encouraged to incorporate these new guidelines into their practices, helping patients make informed choices and supporting a less painful IUD insertion experience.
More Methods Of Relief For IUD Insertion
In addition to updated CDC guidelines, a number of medical companies are looking to ease IUD insertion pain with new tools for the procedure. A device that uses soft suction to stabilize the cervix for IUD insertion and other gynecological procedures is currently being tested. Named Carevix, the device gently grasps the cervix rather than cranking it open with a tenaculum. The device is co-creation of Bayer (Schweiz) AG and ASPIVIX.
