Insertion experiences vary widely, and there's no way to sugarcoat it: for some people, the pain is extreme. "I thought I was walking out of the doctor's office after getting my first IUD but rejected that option on account of my legs not working afterward," POPSUGAR writer Hilary White writes in a personal essay on her IUD insertion. "In a haze of cramps and irrational 'is someone stabbing my uterus' thoughts, I also contemplated crawling out."
POPSUGAR writer Jenny Sugar, on the other hand, writes that "my insertion could be summed up as 10 full seconds of not-quite-as-excruciating-as-labor-but-pretty-damn-painful cramps." (Here's what the removal process was like for her as well.)
"I actually didn't think it was that painful at all," contributor Maggie McCracken writes. "The implantation went well, the discomfort was minor, and I walked out of the office feeling great." She notes that anxiety over the IUD's placement eventually led to her decision to get it removed.
"Though I felt a deep cramping in my stomach during the 30 seconds the actual insertion lasted (and hollered out a string of profanities like Steve Carell in the '40-Year-Old Virgin' waxing scene), the whole process was about as long and painless as a pap smear," contributor Corinne Sullivan shares about her own experience.
Bottom line: the pain from IUD insertion can range from slight to excruciating cramps, and not knowing which way your insertion will go can lead to major anxiety. Though we can't predict exactly what you'll feel, there are a few ways you can prepare and go in with as much comfort and confidence as possible.
