Exactly What to Expect During IUD Insertion
What to Expect During an IUD Insertion, According to Ob-Gyns
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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.
