Specifically it said “To decrease the pain associated with these procedures, ACOG now recommends either an anesthetic cream, a spray or an injected local anesthetic known as a paracervical block.”
Specifically it said “To decrease the pain associated with these procedures, ACOG now recommends either an anesthetic cream, a spray or an injected local anesthetic known as a paracervical block.”
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My friend here in Seattle got her IUD two weeks ago and they told her to take Tylenol. And she did specifically ask.
My most recent insertion post partum my OB inserted after a lidocaine injection to the cervix. I’ve had three and this was miles better than before. Now of course, being post vaginal birth will always be easier but lidocaine helped me out during birth and after. 10/10 would recommend.
My first iud insertion I was offered nothing and it was traumatically painful and I was bedridden for days. When I got it replaced a few years later I insisted on drugs, and my doctor prescribed me an Ativan and a Percocet to take half an hour before the procedure – one to take away the pain, another to make me not worry about it, she said. And it was incredible, I floated through the procedure, took an amazing nap, and woke up feeling right as rain.
Those two pills cost less than a dollar and it made a universe of difference. INSIST they prescribe you something, it’s insane that they don’t offer it as standard practice.
my obgyn has been writing for muscle relaxers for the day of the placement and for a week after for (typically) either tizanidine or flexeril. for some patients (if they are already on one then he will write for the other to be used in conjunction) they get scripted for both. he’s been writing for muscle relaxers for placement of iuds since I had my first iud placed and he reached out to my neuro to ask what pain meds if any would be appropriate to write for. neuro told the obgyn that uterine cramps are not very different from muscle spasms.
apparently, many women who have accepted the muscle relaxers for pain management have had the same experience- we adjust quicker in a positive manner to the iud in both the effects of it and the uterus “accepting” having something placed in it (at least among the population who has never had a pregnancy). and apparently for the people who are on muscle relaxers long term (I’ve been rotating between flexeril, tizanidine and baclofen for a bit over 15 years) have reported that they stop their cycle by the 3rd or 4th month after the iud placement.
essentially, as a result of providing care to me, someone with complex chronic health needs, my obgyn has changed the way he provides care to all of his patients in a positive way (although, he is one of the better providers in the area).
I chose my current gynecologist because she said the next time I get one put in I’ll get Valium and one dose of an opiate.
The last doctor told me to take a Tylenol when I said I passed out the first time I got one.
I asked my local PP about pain management options and ultimately decided I’d rather get nexplanon again. But I love that this is a mainstream conversation now!