Exactly What to Expect During IUD Insertion
What to Expect During an IUD Insertion, According to Ob-Gyns
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are known as one of the most convenient and effective forms of birth control, but it's true that the IUD insertion process can be unpleasant, uncomfortable, or downright painful for some people. The IUD itself is a small, flexible, T-shaped birth-control device that's inserted directly into your uterus. For a lot of people, that alone is (understandably) a little scary. The best way to get more comfortable with the concept and to prepare for the big insertion day is to get familiar with the process. If you're nervous about an IUD insertion, you might be wondering what can you expect from the IUD insertion process and how can you prepare. You can calm some of your nerves by doing some research, hearing stories from other people, and talking to your ob-gyn beforehand — or keep reading for everything you need to know, straight from ob-gyns themselves.
What Happens During an IUD Insertion?
The first thing to know is that you won't get your IUD inserted during the first appointment you make. First, you'll schedule a time to talk with your ob-gyn or care provider about your overall health and the consent process, says Erica Cahill, MD, an ob-gyn and cohost of "The V Word" podcast. Once you've gone over all your birth-control options and officially decided on an IUD, you'll make an appointment for the procedure.
Below, Dr. Cahill laid out what you can expect from the insertion process when you go in for that second appointment. In all, IUD insertion is quite quick; it only takes a couple of minutes from start to finish.
- First, you'll get a pelvic exam so your care provider can feel the size and shape of your uterus. Wearing gloves, they'll insert two fingers into your vagina while using the other hand to feel your abdomen.
- Your care provider will insert a speculum, a duck-bill-shaped device, into your vagina. The speculum will hold your vagina open during the insertion. Your provider may also check for STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia at this point.
- They'll clean your cervix (the opening to your uterus or womb) using a swab and some cleaning solution.
- Your care provider will insert a tenaculum, a tool used to keep your cervix in place.
- Now, your care provider will insert the IUD. They'll slide the IUD inserter (a long, thin tube) through your cervical canal and into your uterus, making sure it's all the way at the top of the uterus. At this point, you may feel some intense cramping. "I always have patients take three deep breaths during this section," Dr. Cahill says.
- Your care provider will release the IUD and remove the inserter, leaving the IUD inside.
- The strings of the IUD will be cut down to just a few centimeters long. These strings lie outside of your cervix and allow your provider to remove the IUD, when necessary, and check that it's still in place. (You shouldn't be able to feel them.)
- The speculum comes out, and you're all done.
Does Getting an IUD Hurt?
"Everyone's body is different, and everyone's experience of pain is different," Dr. Cahill says. You can't be 100 percent sure whether the IUD insertion will be painful for you until it happens, she says, but there are a few common factors that appear to be linked with pain upon insertion. You might be more likely to feel pain if:
- You have a preexisting pelvic pain syndrome, like endometriosis.
- You have a history of anxiety.
- You have a history of difficulty with pelvic exams.
- You have a history of sexual assault.
- You're an adolescent.
You may be less likely to feel pain upon IUD insertion if:
- You've given birth.
- You are able to tolerate pelvic exams without difficulty.
It's hard to know how an IUD insertion will affect you, even if you've had it done before, since your body can react differently. For that reason, many doctors recommend having someone ready to drive you or help you get home afterward.
Will I Have Pain After My IUD Insertion?
In the first 24 hours after your insertion, you can expect cramping and some light bleeding, Dr. Cahill says. Your uterus is pretty much trying to get rid of the IUD at this point, which is what brings about those cramps and any pain you might feel, but those symptoms should begin to ease after that first 24-hour period.
After that, it can take "anywhere from three weeks to three months for the IUD to really 'settle' in your uterus," Dr. Cahill says. "During that time, it is normal to have some cramping and irregular bleeding," which can range from light spotting to heavier bleeding.
One scary side effect you may have heard of is known as the "vaso-vagal reaction": feeling lightheaded or fainting right after the IUD insertion. This can actually happen anytime someone touches your cervix (not just during an IUD insertion) because the nerves in your cervix are connected to the vagus nerve, which controls your heartbeat.
"Sometimes touching the cervix can make your heartbeat slow down suddenly, giving you a lightheaded feeling," Dr. Cahill explains. In rare cases, your heartbeat can decrease to the point of passing out. When you hear of people fainting from an IUD insertion, it's from this nervous-system reaction, not from the amount of pain. Your care provider knows about this potential reaction going in and will have you lie down for a few minutes after the procedure until you feel OK to sit up, Dr. Cahill says.
After the procedure is over, there are a few symptoms you should keep an eye out for. Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Severe pain that can't be controlled with pain medication, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (such as Advil or Tylenol).
- Heavy bleeding that soaks through more than two pads in an hour.
- Fever.
- Chills.
Pay attention to anything that just doesn't feel right to you, Dr. Cahill says. Don't hesitate to call your doctor if you have questions.
What It Feels Like to Get an IUD
How to Prepare For Your IUD Insertion
Things to Know For After Your IUD Insertion
Your healthcare provider will likely offer you a follow-up appointment about a week after your insertion to make sure your IUD is in the right spot. "We do this exam with either a speculum to directly see the strings or sometimes an ultrasound to see that the IUD is in the right place inside the uterus," Dr. Conti says. This is also a great chance to ask any questions you might have about the IUD and its side effects.
You can also check on your IUD strings yourself, something you can do as soon as you're up to it after the insertion. To do so, wash your hands and insert your first two fingers into your vagina, as far as they can go. "Move them around until you can feel something that feels like super-fine fishing line," Dr. Conti says; those are the strings. "They're often curled up around the cervix, so you may have to sweep behind or in front of it with your fingers a little."
Dr. Conti recommends checking your strings about once a month. If you can't feel them, there's no need to panic; research shows that not everyone is able to successfully feel their IUD strings. However, if you could previously feel the strings and can't anymore, that's a reason to schedule a checkup, Dr. Conti says. The strings could be curled too tightly or could have receded a bit into the cervix, or it's possible that your IUD has moved around in your uterus or perforated the uterine wall. You should also schedule a checkup if you notice a sudden change in your bleeding pattern, Dr. Conti says. (For example, if you had lighter periods on a hormonal IUD and they've suddenly gotten heavier.)
As for how long it takes for IUDs to prevent pregnancy (i.e., how long you should wait to be sexually active again), Dr. Conti says the copper IUD is effective right away. If you had your hormonal IUD (such as Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, or Skyla) inserted within seven days of the start of your period, it's also effective immediately. "Otherwise, you should use a backup method like condoms for the first seven days," Dr. Conti says.
