Featured article on NBC News

The CDC has updated its guidelines on pain management during IUD insertion, recommending pre-procedure counseling and expanding pain relief options to include topical lidocaine (gels or sprays) in addition to injectable lidocaine.
While IUDs are a highly effective form of birth control, the insertion procedure can be painful, often due to the use of a tenaculum to hold the cervix in place. Although the updated guidelines are a step forward, doctors note they don’t address all sources of pain, particularly the cramping that occurs during IUD placement. New devices, like the Carevix™, aim to reduce pain associated with the tenaculum, but no single solution eliminates pain entirely.
Doctors also use ibuprofen to manage cramping, though this isn’t mentioned in the CDC guidelines. Research on pain management during IUD insertion is limited, hindering the development of better options.
Many women feel their pain concerns are dismissed, highlighting the importance of thorough pain counseling and a patient-centered approach.

While the CDC guidelines are not legally binding, refusing pain counseling or access to evidence-based pain management could be considered discrimination. Doctors emphasize the need for more research and better tools to manage pain during this common procedure.

Read the complete Feature on NBC News