NYT: Getting an IUD Hurts. Why Aren’t More Women Offered Relief?

In this article in the New York Times, it discusses how women are increasingly opting for IUDs as a form of contraception, with around 20 percent of women using IUDs between 2015 and 2019, a significant increase from 8 percent between 2006 and 2010, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. However, the painful nature of IUD insertion has become a significant barrier to broader access, as highlighted by Dr. Lauren Zapata, an epidemiologist at the CDC. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are filled with women sharing their painful experiences, with a study finding that 97 percent of the top 100 videos with the hashtag #IUD emphasized the pain and negative side effects. Despite effective pain management options available for IUD insertion, such as local anesthetics, doctors have been slow to discuss or use them. A survey revealed that only 4 percent of trained physicians in the U.S. offered a local anesthetic, while almost 80 percent provided over-the-counter painkillers. However, as new research emerges supporting these methods, some doctors are now offering multiple pain relief options for IUD insertion, reflecting a shift in practice over the past three years. The CDC is currently reviewing data on pain management for IUD insertions, with plans to update recommendations next year. Read more here.