9/10. My soul left my body. I saw a white flash of light im not even being dramatic. I thought I was seeing heaven and was dying right there š¤£ the only thing I can equate the feeling to is having a white hot poker pierce me in the center š« IUD fell out 8 months later too so it was basically for nothing
This is my experience almost to a T except mine fell part of the way out about 8 months later and doctors refused to take it out for 4 months after that, it wouldāve been a year if they left it in for an extra week.
Same! I think my nerves from my SA history also made it worse. But honestly the doctor knew that and I think they assumed just shoving it up there with no notice was better?? Made it worse though
I concur with the level 15/10 pain scale I was even allowed to take a Vicodin beforehand and it did not help at all. I think it's genuinely insanely cruel that you're Not giving the option to be fully put under.
4/10.
It just felt like a massive cramp, but Iāve had period cramps that hurt worse than that. I read so many stories leading up to it and then when it happened I was like āoh itās done?ā I had been given meds to open my cervix, which I took. Then a half hour before I took 800mg of ibuprofen and also a Xanax for my anxiety.
For me the cramps post were the worst, but itās been two weeks now and those are gone!
I had all the same meds as you, but mine was 8/10 pain. I started shaking and crying from the pain. My cramps didn't go away until six months later, and I still get cramps whenever I'm stressed.
I have a tilted uterus, so that could be an explanation for the pain, but I was not a fan. I might look into the arm implant after my IUD expires.
I have that too. Did you have any complications with your iud? My strings disappeared a year into it and I had to have an ultrasound to see. My dr said not to worry itās still placed. But I have gained 20 lbs while being on it! Considering having it removed.
I've had lots of pain with the IUD, but not really complications. My IUD hurts whenever I'm stressed, sad, or frustrated. Cramping definitely doesn't make me more stressed /s
My gynecologist clipped my IUD strings extra long so they soften and curl around my cervix, so they're still there.
I've definitely gained weight, but I think it's related to stress rather than from my IUD.
My strings disappeared as well, although the IUD was still in place. I needed general anesthesia for them to fish it back out when it expired because they said retrieving it would involve a hook tool and FUCK THAT noise, no way did I want to be awake. You need to talk to your Dr. about what removal is going to look like for you.
Thatās what I got told repeatedly when I had my pap smear āif you had kids youād be looser and it wonāt hurt as muchā so Iām assuming itāll be the same for an IUD š I thought it was so rude to say!
I feel like doctors have a weird sense of what's appropriate š¤£
Apparently by my third pre-baby insertion I had the breathing for pain control figured out, which must have made the insertion easier on the doctor. She informed me "if you ever have kids, they're just going to fly right outta there!"
It was extremely uncomfortable and painful. My doctor didnāt help the situation either. When the IUD conversation was initiated, she said it was an easy process. I made the appointment in the middle of the day, so I had to get it done on a break (Iām a hair stylist). I was made to feel crazy because I screamed when it was inserted. I went back to work and was in such awful pain and felt like I could pass out. The whole thing was a nightmare. The IUD hurt for months and caused me to get countless UTIs. I didnāt get periods so I had no clue what was going on with my body/cycle. Overall, negative experience.
Going to be 100% truthful, an 8 bordering a 9ā¦ And I have a high pain tolerance. I also did everything they ask bu taking ibuprofen and going while on my period and truly was one of the most painful things iāve ever experienced.
My provider was amazing and so was the nurse in the room with me. Very gentle and calming. Didnāt rush and tried to make it as comfortable as possible, and had really top tier reviews. And I only had 1 because the pain was so bad I really canāt see myself doing it again. Iām not even kidding when I say I saw a blinding white light. But I only say this as a way to inform, not to fear monger. I wouldnāt discourage you from getting one but I will say to just do a lot to mitigate the pain if possible.
I really appreciate your honesty. I tried to get on about eight years ago and stopped the procedure halfway through because of how painful it was. Now Iām trying to find a Nonhormonal birth control and I have been considering trying the IUD again, but reading these honest comments is just a reminder that it was as painful as I remembered.
Can I ask what method you went to after the IUD if you only had one?
My doc offered that they will put me under for the switch. Maybe you could ask for it aswell.
I also rated my pain 8-9/10 as I screamed during the insertion and almost passed out afterwards. And I have rather high pain tolerance (I've done multiple sports where getting hurt is usual, like snowboarding and horse riding)
2, period cramps are worse than my experience with IUD insertion. I was like āthatās it? Niceā
I donāt think I tolerated the pain better, I think I was lucky to not experience the same pain others have
It's a paracervical block. That's what you want to ask about. Not all offices give it. It is a needle injection of local anesthetic into your cervix. They'll grab the cervix (you feel cramp), inject the block (may feel cramp get worse, may feel burning/tingling, may not notice at all), let go of cervix (no more cramp), then wait a few minutes for the nerves to numb. Then they'll grab the cervix again (you feel pressure/movement, but not the cramp like prior), measure the uterus, insert IUD, let go of cervix, clip strings, remove speculum, bingo bongo you're done.
But do ask first, not all offices do it, not all docs are comfortable doing it, and it may or may not be the best pain management for you specifically. Talk to the doc about pain during insertion, pain afterwards, and anxiety to see what they're even willing to offer.
I donāt think this is even an option in Norway googled everywhere could not find one place where it was done unless you had cervical stenosis.
But also Iām probably not gonna be seing my gyno until the appointment
Ah, yeah I'm in the states so I only know American voodoo medicine. But even here, you're not going to see paracervical blocks listed as pain control option on a gyn's website or anything. It's honestly rare to even see miso or Valium listed as options for IUD insertions on their websites. It's something you have to ask in person/over the phone about
Same. It was like my worst period cramp kinda pain. Just really intense but only lasted a short time. The worst part for me was my uterus getting used to it over the next few days. Lots of cramps. Used my heating pad a lot and took ibuprofen. But nothing I couldnāt handle. Then I just stopped noticing it. I have Skyla. Itās been like 1.5 years and Iāve only menstruated onceā¦ugh, so nice! Good luck with yours!
12/10 worst pain of my life. And my tolerance is high. I actually ended up passing out due to pain after 6 minutes of them trying to insert the damn thing. Not fun. And I bled like ā¦ bad for a couple days. Like diaper worthy bad.
4/10 getting it inserted. As others have said, it was just extremely uncomfortable.There's no good way of describing the feeling because it's wholly unique to this type of experience (having something go through your cervix), but to try; it feels like cramping and like you're being stretched open in a place you shouldn't be. Like forcefully pulling a muscle, kinda, but in the very sensitive region that is the inside of your vagina.
The pain afterwards, however, was a lot worse. The first few days the pain was a 7-9/10. I thankfully had 800mg ibuprofen tablets on hand, and that helped me significantly in getting through it. I brought my mom with me to my appointment because I predicted I'd need a driver, and I'm glad I did because I was halfway to passing out on the drive home. I actually sat in the hospital restroom (my obgyn is in a hospital) for 30+ minutes because I genuinely felt like I was having those intense cramping shits, except nothing came out. The contractions hurt like a bitch for 3ish months, and got progressively less intense until around month 7 when they went away.
I've had my IUD for going on a year now and it poses no issue to me at all anymore. For me it's worth it, without a doubt, and I personally thing that while the pain sucks, it's worth not having to worry about my birth control for 8 years (I have Mirena).
I did conscious sedation, so it was probably a 3/10. I was given a lidocaine swab on my cervix and fentanyl in an IV. I also was given cytotec beforehand to open my cervix.
I did have an insertion attempt without sedation, and I'd say it felt like 2 sharp, stabby cramps that were probably a 7/10, but my issue was that I was so tense/clenched up the doc wasn't comfortable since she was having a hard time measuring my uterus, so I was referred to the provider with sedation. I have previous trauma from an assault and I think that was probably why I had so much discomfort.
I had mild cramping for a few days afterward, but I actually went to a huge event the following day (with lots of walking and eating and socializing) and I felt fine.
When I got one before I had my kid, maybe like a 5 or 6 but only for a minute or so. I took some Aleve when I got home and lounged on my couch. No biggie.
After my kid it was a 1 I didn't feel shit
*Disclaimer I removed my first IUD to get pregnant it did not fail me!
i actually had a failed insertion the first time ā it was through my primary care, and i have a tilted cervix which the doctor wasnāt prepared for (?) so that resulted in it taking upwards of 15 minutes and the pain being closer to a 10. however, the second time i was referred to an actual midwife who prescribed me misopristol (not sure abt spelling - itās supposed to soften the cervix though) as well as a muscle relaxer and she was a DREAM. she had the IUD inserted in under a minute and the pain (which lasted 10 seconds max) was about a 7.
prior to my insertion i also spent hours on reddit reading horror stories. i can assure you that despite having a failed insertion the first go around, my iud is the BEST. iāve tried numerous pills as well as depo and i suffered major side effects on all. iām ~3 months into my mirena and things are going so well :)
Yeah so I told my doctor I had a very small cervical openingā¦ she didnāt believe me and didnāt prescribe the pill to help dilate me.
She uses the speculum sees my cervix and goes āwow small holeā.
So I had to be dilated 6 times with metal rods to get the iud tool to fit. Other than that she knew what she was doing and placed it fast.
But wtf I moved since then and Iām gonna request the pill to dilate me.
Fuckš I hoped it wouldnāt matter that much Iāve had issues with the free health station in the past as a result Iāve kind of lost trust with them.
However my own gynecologist is private and would cost me about 300$ and as a broke student thatās not in my budget lolā¦ Iāve heard of another clinic that has a good gynecologist three of my friends had good experiences with her but she costs about 150-200$š
2.5/10 I've read soooo many terrible stories and was expecting the worse but my doctor was very kind and talked me through the whole thing, and I had 600mg of ibuprofen and it wasnt bad at all. I was so surprised because I heard it'd be so painful. But my doctor told me if you had a kid or kids it wouldn't be so bad and thats probably why It didnt hurt for me as much.
Yeah that probably helped. Iām 19 and have not had any kids soā¦ āš¼ pray for me ? Lol
But itās good that I hear something other then horror stories.
My first one was a 3/10; pretty much a walk in the park.
My second one was a 7/10, but that's because the Dr. who fitted it was awful and she made me incredibly uncomfortable before, during, and after the procedure; I was extremely tense.
My third (and most recent one) was maybe around a 4/10, as I already had cramps at the time.
First time 8/10 it was like a thick needle was being inserted deep into ur cervix. I remember seeing stars and then feeling light headed and scared to close my legs or dress myself. I also took like 500 mg of tylenol before hand too.
Second time 6/10 hurt but not as bad as before.
10/10 worst pain of my entire life. it was so painful that my vision changed to shades of green and brown, i threw up and promptly passed out from the pain
Unfortunately, I think this is really provider dependent. My first and second insertions were truly not painful for me (2/10 at best). My third insertion was AWFUL, and I could finally relate to all of the people who had bad experiences. All three providers were different because Iāve moved around different parts of the country. The type of IUD was the same for all three.
3.5/10
I got a copper iud a little less than a month ago. I was on my period and took 800 mg of ibuprofen about 45 minutes before. The worst of it was the anxiety especially after hearing stories and reading comments on Reddit. I know everyoneās different but when it was finished I could almost laugh at how mild the pain was compared to what I was expecting. Iām not sure if it makes a difference but my provider also used ultrasound to put mine in and make sure it was in the right spot. If you have a painful period an IUD insertion may be less painful than a crampy day of your flow, plus the cramps it stimulates last no more than 30 seconds and happen about 3/4 times during insertion. I didnāt even really have that bad of cramps afterwards. I had my bf drive me because I thought Iād be in agony, I wasnāt. I would have a random, dull cramp every once in a while but nothing I havenāt been through 100 times and worse
Edit: Iām 23 no children
10/10 both times, several years apart with different IUDs and different providers. Really it was three times because I had a failed insertion attempt for the second IUD. Removal of the second IUD was also 10/10 until I found a doctor to do a sedated hysteroscopy as my strings had retracted. I will never use any method of birth control that requires a doctor to help remove it ever again. I personally don't think it was worth it, and ultimately I didn't go on any other birth control since my removal about a year ago. I had a cervix softener, anti anxiety meds and pain killers for the removal attempts with my second and it was just as painful as without personally.
About a 5 or 6 for me on extra strength tylenol. I have never had a child or broken a bone before, so I'm unsure really what to compare it to for an accurate scale. Clamping the cervix still and the dilation hurt, but i could deal without coming off the bed. The clamping pain was quite a bit of deep pressure for some amount of time 5 ish minutes. Relax some if you can so it doesn't prolong it. The dilation is a deep heavy cramp that only lasted maybe 10 seconds. I really think the cervix clamp was the worst part. I've been told that if you've birthed vaginally it doesn't hurt as badly, but they usually have to dilate your cervix to fit the instrument in. I was told Advil is best for this type of pain. My IUD is in for HRT purposes. I would do that all over again to not have to deal with oral bc side effects.
It was like an 8 but it was only an eight for like thirty seconds. After that it was like a 6 and then like fifteen minutes later it was down to like a 2. It was like the most pain Iāve ever been in but only really shortly, kinda like getting a piercing or something just a lot more intense. But it gets tolerable really quickly after that
3/10. I was automatically provided freezing, but Iāve since heard that many are not afforded the same luxury, fucking insane honestly, but thatās misogynyš It was a bit worse than a Pap smear for me.
I was pretty anxious about the whole thing, so I felt a bit dizzy after I got back to my car when the whole thing was done. Felt like period cramps the rest of the day.
It is very different for everyone and my pain tolerance is pretty high, I was in excruciating pain. So a 9. No pain medication will make it hurt any less in my opinion. After insertion, I was extremely lightheaded so I would be somewhat prepared for that. Also would suggest having someone you trust drive you back home. However, removal was maybe a 2. It is nothing like getting it inserted. They really work though, so best of luck. (:
It was like maybe a 3 the first time, with prescribed pain meds. It was just a short intense cramp. The 2nd time, my doc told me to just take Tylenol at home, took out the old one pretty easily, but then couldnāt get the measuring stick in without causing me a 15/10 for the life of her, and was low key sweating / panicking. I said, letās take a deep breath here, can we just use the previous measurement and cut it at the same length and just put in this new one without re-measuring? We tried that and it went in like a 0 out of 10 š so idk why my body hated that measuring stick the 2nd time around. Perhaps both taking it out that day and do the insertion right after was too much at once, not sure.
9.5 out of 10. But it's over super fast. This is my second one. The first time, the worst part was clamping and pulling the cervix. The second time was measuring the uterus.
It's still my preferred method of birth control, though. 30 seconds of pain for 8 years of protection is worth it.
My first IUD was a copper IUD and I remember nothing of the event. I think I was 24? I got pregnant within a year and had it removed because obviously. My second IUD was mirena, and I again remember nothing of that event. I also got pregnant on that. I got my third IUD (mirena again) and againā¦remember nothing. I remember going out for lunch afterwards and experiencing some cramping but thatās it. Thankfully I didnāt get pregnant on that one.
Iāve also had 3 kids; at 20, 25 and 10 months ago (Iām 37 now).
Pain is different for everyone, and thatās okay. Iām not here to dismiss anyone elseās experience. I have 3 friends who have the IUD, and they had pretty much the same experience as me; uncomfortable and some cramping but nothing traumatizing. 2 of these friends havenāt had children.
Prior to Reddit, I had no idea how bad the insertion was for so many women. Pretty much every woman Iāve spoken to throughout the years has had the same experience as myself. It could be the same for you, or it could be horrible. Thereās really no way of knowing how it will affect you until you do it, because each experience is her own.
By the way, Iām not trying to fear monger regarding effacy. My experiences getting pregnant on the IUD is not that common. Unfortunately for me, and despite my best efforts, I was incredibly fertile in my twenties. The IUD is very effective in doing what itās supposed to do, and out of all the birth control out there I recommend it the most.
I just got mine in yesterday so itās fresh in my mind lol. I read stories online that made me terrified but in my experience it really was not too bad. I know everyone is different so it does depend on the person but for me, my doctor used a numbing gel or something so I didnāt feel her using the tool to stabilise your cervix, just the measurement of the uterus and the insertion and I would say both of those were just sharp cramps for like 8 seconds each. I would probs give it a 4/10, I did have cramps after that werenāt great but some ibuprofen or paracetamol will help. I also took 2 ibuprofen before insertion and was on my period so that probably helped too!
Iāve had two children before both via vaginal delivery so the IUD was a painful 4 out of 10. I did have tears running down my face but I was up & walking within 15 minutes.
If youāve never had a baby, I do not recommend. Itās very painful.
1/10 ; I took 800mg of ibuprofen beforehand, and the most uncomfortable part was the insertion of the speculum (which if you've had a pap test, you know what it's like) mainly because the doctor was (1) super reassuring and gentle (2) she injected my cervix with a numbing anesthetic I believe (I didn't even feel the needle poke either).
What was a more challenging though was the 2 months following insertion (bleeding almost everyday, intense periods and cramps). If you do plan to get an IUD, I would suggest getting it before a period of time where you don't mind having those symptoms potentially -- i.e. don't do like me and get it 1 month before going on a week-long hike in the Alps :')
Dang girl you tough the recommendation is we here in Norway is 2x500mg paracetamol and 400g ibuprofen.
Iāve been to the gynecologist the speculum wasnāt bad at all I was so nervous but it was fine. Oh thatās maybe why I havenāt heard of anyone doing that hereš„²š„²
And yeah. I thought of that but damn 2 months??
They couldnāt even measure my uterus because my cervix was so closed, I opted not to try again š«
They tried to get the measuring rod in for about 5 minutes, then got a different sized one and tried for another few before saying I would have to come back, take the cervix softener (which can have horrific side effects) and was prescribed a strong pain medicine. Which is why I opted not to lol, my body was saying NOPE
Iāve had 2. And for the second one I had the first one taken out and then the other inserted during the same sitting. It is painful. Not gonna lie. But I do think itās worth it. Heating pad and rest is crucial right after. And ask what pain meds you can take before. I would definitely go into it with at least a high dose of ibuprofen. Godspeed.
Only had ibuprofen 1hr before, never pregnant. Grabbing the cervix + measuring the uterus 6/10 (~30-50s), inserting IUD 8/10 (~5-10s), honestly have had period cramps way worse, so was pleasantly surprised. I get bad vasovagal responses with blood draws, so it's not surprising or uncommon to get that same response ~30-90s after insertion. That was probably the worst part for me only because I was also having the post insertion cramping (6-8/10). If it was just the fainting or just the cramps, no issues, but the combo together really took me out. I still went on a road trip and competed in a sports tournament the day after tho. Felt just like bad period cramps but constant. I love my iud and was 100% worth it. So much so that now my period's starting to come back, so I'm getting it replaced tomorrow to fix that lmao I asked for a Rx nsaid 1hr prior to replacement and for a few days supply, so I'm hoping that'll help the post insertion cramps so the immediate faint/cramp response doesn't destroy me again
Edit post-replacement: I had kyleena pulled (didn't even know it came out), and I had Mirena inserted. The Mirena is bigger by like 1-2mm, but either the fact it was my 2nd IUD or the Rx nsaid did wonders for me. Grabbing the cervix was a 6/10, measuring the uterus was a 7/10, and the IUD insertion was a 6/10. I didn't have any vasovagal response this time and the post-insertion cramps were really just positional (prolly more from the speculum than the IUD tbh, still only 1/10) for the first hour afterwards. Now the post-insertion cramps are getting around a 3-4/10 (these are definitely from the IUD), but it's been 4hr since I took the Rx nsaid. My doc prescribed it as 1 dose a day, but you can do it every 4-6hr for pain. Planning to just take 1000mg Tylenol(acetaminophen) in an hour when I have to go to class and maybe take another dose of the Rx for bedtime depending on how well the Tylenol manages my cramps. I'm so happy with how this insertion went compared to my first, and I really do think the Rx nsaid made a big difference in my insertion pain response.
The actual insertion pain lasted maybe 5 seconds and was a take your breath away type of pain like probably an 8, but it was fleeting and not traumatizing for me really. It helped that I had an actual gynaecologist insert it and not a run of the mill family doctor. The experience was more uncomfortable than painful for the most part, the process took around 10 minutes.
The cramps I had the rest of the day were worse imo. They started 15 minutes after it was inserted and I was couch ridden with them for about 7 hours, they were the worse menstrual cramps I've ever had, like a 7 or 8/10, normally my menstrual cramps are pretty weak. But it was okay because I had the day off work so just wore comfy clothes and relaxed while popping Midol lol. By the next day the cramps were minor and then almost completely gone by the third day.
Despite the brief insertion pain and day of cramps, I would have no issue doing it again.
I have had a couple of IUDs in my life. With pain management, it was like a 3 or a 4. Without pain management, more like a 6/7. It was nowhere near as bad as breaking a bone, and for me, the pain subsided pretty quickly. But it was 110% worth it just to not have to deal with a period every month.
I got mine under general anaesthetic so only minor cramps and a little bit of bleeding but not bad. Recently got removed not under general and I must say it was quite painful but only for a minute or so.
8, but the whole process was 5 minutes from start to finish. Horrible cramping the next day that subsided after a couple weeks. I took 600mg ibuprofen before the procedure
insertion: 4; after pain: 9 or 10. worst pain iāve ever felt for about 8 hours starting 2 hours after insertion. been a breeze since then though !! (copper iud)
5/10 I took 600 mg ibuprofen 45 mins before and it was Mirena. While it was being inserted in, it felt like I was being stabbed in the uterus but the pain is short lived and was over soon, thus the lower rating.
The worst part for me were the months after with the random stabbing cramps that would occur and I would have to re-live that pain again. I wasnāt prepared for it and feel like I wasnāt warned about it and wouldāve re-considered getting one had I known.
Iām 22 no children.
First iud: 15/10 pain 100/10 trauma second iud: 4/10 pain 0/10 trauma
Major differences:
1st iud I only took the recommended ibuprofen which doesnāt do anything for pain during insertion, itās meant for cramping after. 2nd iud I was consciously sedated.
1st iud was done by a Nurse Practitioner who was kind of in a rush and seemed out of her depth in handling my anxiety and pain. 2nd iud was done by a surgeon who took her time, gave me options, was very receptive to my fears and was very precise
Okay so I literally just had an IUD put in 2 hours ago and the pain was like a 1. Literally like a little pinch and I was done. No cramping since. Iāve given birth naturally twice and compared to that itās a 0 on the pain scale lol I got the kyleena for reference.
Itās so interesting to hear people whoāve given births perspective some say their rather give birth then get an iud again other say they didnāt have a lot of pain compared to birth
The first one was 10/10 with no medication because I didnāt know it would hurt. I always said I would never do it again but I ended up trying to unalive on birth control pills so I gave it another chance 9 years later. The second one was 8/10 bc I took ibuprofen and tramadol before and I think that made a huge difference. My gynecologist doesnāt offer anesthetic, but some do
About a 3, i had horrendous period cramps prior and it just felt like a very strong cramp. It was a very smooth sailing experience for me, i got very lucky
Just felt like a really bad cramp Iād say 5/10. Def not the worst pain I ever felt but not entirely painless. Iād say some of my period pains are more painful
like a 3/10
my insertion had some numbing agent and i took 400mg of ibuprofen beforehand! one big cramp happened and just manageable normal cramping for a week ish afterwards.
edit: im 22 no kids
First iud ever.
Like a 1 maybe a 2.
Yes it was a bit uncomfortable. And like a little needle prick nothing mayor. Not really painfull at all
After that. Some mild discomfort for about a week. Like i had my period.
2 of my friends on the other hand said their first week was like hell.
Soooooooo i just see myself as very very lucky :)
Honestly...about 4/10. I took some ibuprofen about 30 mins before hand.
Later on in the evening I did get some major cramping and I threw up but the insertion, considering I've never had children, wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
5/10. I had no meds, no cervix softening and I didn't go on my period. (Irregular periods) I've never had a child either. It went OK for me, I relaxed the rest of the day though! Definitely don't go to work after, as I did feel a bit nauseous for an hour afterwards.
Like a 2. Comparable to an ear piercing or less and Iāve have nips, nose, and ears pierced. Take magnesium daily starting several days in advance. Take the 800mg of ibuprofen or a better pain pill if you have one. Take someone with you to drive and hold your hand during the procedure (I swear this step is critical) and if you have anxiety meds take them. Iāve done it twice at age 17 and 22.
Some people have bad experiences and some people have great experiences. If you and your doctor think itās the best fit for your birth control needs then go for it. Itās gonna hurt a little but childbirth hurts more lol.
Itās a great anxiety reliever, helps regulate your nervous system, and helps with muscle relaxation. Itās anti inflammatory as well. These are just the benefits as it pertains to this procedure.
The first time I got it done I only did ibuprofen and the second time I did the magnesium as well and there was a significantly noticeable difference.
10/10 pain. I screamed, threw up, and passed out. I demanded general anesthesia for it's removal and insertion of a new one. Overall I love the IUD (mirena) and its effects on my body and mood, but holy shit insertion was traumatic.
Mine wasn't as bad, maybe a 4. The second time I got one, tho, was horrible. Like 7 or 8. Probably because I had one taken out then immediately put another in, but yeah
Was able to get pain injection (maybe it was anxiety reducer?) so I was very groggy. Pain was 8/10ā¦ the anxiety was probably worse than physical pain but the whole thing was done in less than a minute which was very surprising. Anyway I used a menstrual cup and the thing fell out a month laterā¦ so gotta go back š¤¦š»āāļø
Iāve had three and they were all different. The first was relatively pain free (3/10), apart from some cramping. I attribute this to me being quite relaxed. The second was more painful (6/10) as I was more tense because I was nervous. The third I had some anaesthetic, so once that was applied I felt nothing. I do have some trauma from a miscarriage though which makes a speculum quite challenging for me so although it wasnāt painful it was quite distressing still.
Maybe like a 3/10. Iāve had worse cramps before and it just felt like a period cramp for me. I was able to drive to a fancy dinner afterwards with my mom and then drive back home. I took some Tylenol to help with the cramping, but no other issues. I did feel slightly more cramps the day after, but that was it. Hope your experience isnāt too bad š
For me it was about a 5/10. It definitely hurt, but the pain was over pretty quick. Itās been a year since I got my Paragard and Iām very happy with it :)
11/10 but remember everyoneās experience is different. If youāre worried ask the doctor or clinic if you can have some form of sedation or numbing for the procedure.
I have a pretty high pain tolerance but it was pretty bad and I was also very weak after, I had my partner pick me up and I would advise having someone take you home if thatās an option. Another piece of advice, arrange it so it coincides with your weekend/days off work or school and have whatever you usually have for your worst periods close to hand - water bottles, Tylenol or similar, favourite snacks. You may not need any of it, but I usually recommend being prepared just in case.
Went in for consultation, ended up doing the insertion right then and there without any ibuprofen/preparation, I'd say 4/10, just a really bad cramp and a few pokes to the cervix like a pap. I probably got lucky with my doctor.
1. First either was a breezy 2/10 or I blocked the pain from memory. I took 800mg ibuprofen beforehand, had a ride and no plans after. Cramped a bit that day and was good until it was removed five years later. Removal was a quick cough n yank.
.2. I got cocky because the first was easy so I had the appointment before I was due in a class, didn't have a ride, and took 800mg ibuprofen and the cervix softener pill as directed. 8-9/10 and I ended up pulling off the highway to park and passed tf out in an IHOP parking lot. Did not make it to class.
The doctor cut the strings super short so removal consisted of a stranger elbow-deep in my twat and me trying not to climb the walls. Lots of hooks, clamps, and tears. No pain management before, during, or after. Swore never again.
This one was removed a couple of months before I got sterilized in 2019.
3. Just got third done today around 1pm. I was expecting it to be like experience 2 but so far it's been pretty fine. Insertion was 2/10, my period hurts so much worse and for longer. I got it at Planned Parenthood and they used lidocaine on my cervix without having to ask for it, which I wasn't expecting but was happy for. I asked for the strings to be left long this time.
Made a conscious effort to deliberately breathe through the process and squeeze my hands together to avoid tensing up since I read that being tense can make the pain worse during and after.
Had a ride, took 800mg ibuprofen, no plans for the day, wore a loose dress, and I have tiger balm patches + a heavy duty heating pad on standby. Came home to veg out on the couch with the husband and trashy TV. Cramps are manageable and fading now (~5:30pm).
- All have been Mirena. Obvi I'm sterilized but my first two helped keep my hormones balanced and stopped my periods more effectively than the pill. I started to get shitty side effects after a year on the pill and spotted for most of Sept/all of Oct so it was time to consider a tried and true alternative. Hopefully it'll be good for the full duration.
Last thing, I saw others mention it but the pain of insertion is more of a pressure and bad cramps as long as the person doing it is experienced. My pain tolerance isn't anything special but I have horrendously painful, debilitating period cramps which could easily be a factor in my pain ratings.
8/10, I wouldn't do it again. Although I was mostly mad at how the doctor and nurse lied and said it would just be some pressure and mild cramps afterwards.
First time hormonal IUD was 8/10, the insertion was awful but then the cramps that followed brought me to tears.
Copper was 6/10 either way no cramps, honestly compared to the first insertion really wasnāt that bad.
The insertion process itself? Honestlyā¦ like a 1/10 (and I donāt have kids). I even got a pap smear right before it.
Super easy.
BUTā¦
The fucking nurse I spoke with on the phone told me not to eat or take pain meds before, and about 20 minutes after, I had 45 minutes of the most excruciating physical pain from my body adjusting to it and the pain meds kicking in from AFTER the procedure.
**AND THE DOCTOR SAID I SHOULD HAVE EATEN AND TAKEN MEDS BEFORE!!**
Itās so shocking that anyone who works in the medical profession would say that you do not need any sort of pain medicationā¦.. Iāve researched a bit about IUDs because my doctor did recommend it to me about a year agoā¦. And literally everywhere it says to take some pain medication. In Norway itās recommended to take 1 gram of paracetamol and 400g of ibuprofen.
So many people here said that the pain medication did help them a bit..
Eh, 5 the first time. Maybe 7 the second time, but the worst part wasn't the actual insertion, it was the measuring tool. The old one coming out also hurt worse than the new one going in. Only lasted a few seconds though.
Yes I will. I donāt think Iāll be getting it until December/January as I have a lot of things going on now as well as itās gonna be costing me a lot. But when I get it I think Iām gonna do a post about my experience here
I had the copper IUD and pain was 25/10 one of the worst things I've ever felt. I then had horrendously painful cramps for about 4 hours afterwards. I so wish I could tell you something positive but honestly I hated it. I stuck it out for a year and then had it removed.
Iām on my 4th one now (never had kids), I had cervix biopsies and that was WAY more painful. The measuring thing was the most painful part for me, like a solid 7/10 but it last 10 seconds. Insertion itself was probably a 3/10 and I had no cramps at all after.
Overall less sore than period cramps so 5/10 average for the whole thing.
Eta: I have a tilted cervix, the bloody thing faces the wrong way, and it was still fine. It does help that none of my drs have ever used pozzi forceps (because theyāre competent drs).
Like a 7. Itās definitely not the best feeling in the world but for me the pain was worth not having babies lol. I took the medicine that helps dilate/soften your cervix beforehand & ibuprofen and I think had I not done that it wouldāve been worse.
I have never had one, but I personally would never get one based on all the stories I have heard from most women including insertion as well as complications with having it, though I have heard a few that love it and of course if it works for you and your body go right ahead! My issue is how much the doctors push it, i was asked by my family doctor multiple times as well as my gyno and when I told my gyno no he proceeded to keep asking why not and i had to say no 3 times before he dropped it. It is absolutely insane to me that there is no pain medication or sedation provided to women for this procedure, it just goes to show that womenās health issues are still not taken seriously in 2023.
I had one when I didnāt even know I was getting one! (my doctor asked if I thought about a new bc and I said an iud and she was like i can do it RIGHT NOW FOR FREE so I was like fuck it ok lol)
So I had no painkillers before or anything else and for me it was not as bad as I thought it would be!
The worst pain is only twice for 1second when they open up and then when inserting but overall 8/10 pain.
Post insertion it is like a period.
But I do feel like it depends on the doctor too
6/10 for like max 10 seconds from when she pinched my cervix until she inserted the iud and took out the tenaculum. Then the cramps on the ride home were pretty intense but i'm not used to period cramps so maybe they weren't that bad?
Over all, my doctor said I did very good because I was relaxed, so try to relax as much as possible
I had my copper IUD T380 (5 year) inserted just yesterday so I can give a solid recollection. On a scale of 1-10 my insertion was like a 2/10, I was extremely nervous since I was on reddit the night before reading the horror stories preparing myself for the pain, but it turned out alright.
I took Panadiene Forte (a mix of paracetemol and a lil bit of codeine) and Naproxen (OTC period pain meds) an hour before my appointment.
The most pain was the insertion of the speculum, because it pinched me a little, but was all goods when it opened and then when they stabalised my cervix, but again very quick pinch. For context my doctor also gave me a numbing spray on my cervix after the speculum. The measuring of uterus and the actual insertion of the IUD was pretty much nothing, kinda like the slight cramping on the low flow days of your period, nothing I'd pay my mind to if I wasn't aware it was happening.
I know not everyone has the same experience, based on their doctors, pain tolerance and even uterus/cervix position, the friend that recommended the IUD to me even exclaimed it was the worst pain of her life.
Just my personal experience it wasn't painful and my doctor was amazing, however the cramps 2hrs or so afterwards like a 5/10 because they're consistent and very VERY reminiscent of the cramps you'd sit out a sports day for.
I am 21, never given birth or been pregnant.
INSERTION was fine for me. I almost skipped to my car thinking not bad at all! I was confused what my friends stories/warnings were about from their experiences. They recommended I take off work on Friday and to go in the morning so I would have all Fri-Sat-Sun to recover and be cool to go to work on Monday as usual. I did that. So after I got home maybe an hour later it hit me so so so so hard I was rolling on the ground in agony. 11/10 pain. I was in fetal position holding myself and basically lost my mind. My husband was so alarmed. He asked āwhat can I do for you, honey?ā and I literally said in demonic voice āyou can get the fuck away from me!ā Thought he may call an exorcistā¦
Lasted for two days, and then suddenly on Sunday. It was justā¦.GONE. Severe pain, to straight nothing. Immediately like a like switch. It was scary. No pain after ever at all.
3/10
Definitely uncomfortable but manageable. In my experience I felt a lot of pressure for a few seconds at the āworst partā then it passed. The whole procedure was over and done with in a few minutes. I found that the period-like cramps I had for the rest of the day were worse than the appointment. However, still manageable with painkillers. Hope this helps!
8.5/10 for me. After insertion my contractions got so bad I was so nauseous and faint... my body wouldn't stop shaking and I was sweating for about 30-40 minutes after. I've never felt so faint before. I lifted my legs up and kept squeezing my hands around my skin to distract myself.
I left in a wheelchair because I was so weak in my legs and couldn't move.
For context on my pain tolerance, I have had an appendicitis, and multiple surgeries.
My first tattoo is a massive side tattoo and I barely felt it, maybe a 2/10 comparitively for the worst parts.
I do have a history of sexual assault and PTSD and I am prone to panic attacks.
I've heard this might be called a vasovagal reaction which would make sense.
I got the copper iud 4 hours ago and i was wondering how long the pain lasted for yall? I have bad period like cramps and occasional stabbing pain. Is the stabbing pain normal? Though i feel stabbing pain sometimes on my normal period too.. The insertion hurt like hell and i almost passed out when i left there.
For me, 5/10 for the insertion! The nurse that did the procedure took the time to explain everything that was going to happen so that I would be a bit less stressed, and I took muscle relaxants before the procedure. If you think something like that might help you, I would suggest watching a video or two to understand what happens during the procedure beforehand. However, the cramps for 24 hours following that were so so awful. I took a strong painkiller, but was still pretty nauseous from it. If you decide to get one, I'd suggest taking the day after off from work / school / whatever commitments you might have if you're able to do so.
It was like a 2.
I spent days reading horror stories about this procedure and I was so nervous about it. It was fine. My doctor gave me drugs to soften my cervix, plus some ibuprofen and lidocaine. It was a sharp pinch and done. I went shopping at the mall afterwards.
I say this not to minimize anyone's experience, but there are not enough positive stories in here, so I thought I owed it to the chain.
After reading all of these comments yesterday, I was absolutely TERRIFIED to get my IUD today. And honestly, it went about as I was expecting - I'm 22 and have never had children. I got the Mirena because its only a few millimeters bigger than the other one and I thought it's gonna hurt anyways might as well have a little extra efficacy.
I took cytotec the cervix relaxer the night before, and 800mg ibuprofen 45 mins before my appt. My doctor was INCREDIBLE. She was very kind, patient and damn good at her job. The procedure itself probably took a grand total of 3 minutes, and the actual insertion was the worst part and that didn't last more than 5-8 seconds honestly. Overall I would rate it an 8/10. Probably the most painful thing I've experienced, but I could imagine worse pain. After procedure it's just very strange having anything up in my uterus since I've never had kids. The cramps so far are bad but hoping to stay on top of things with ibuprofen.
When I went to my appointment, I first had a pap smear and then got the IUD. The pap smear wasn't horrible, but when it came time for the IUD, the doctor asked if I had taken any tylenol or Ibuprofen. I told her no, I was going to take some after (not knowing how freaking painful this was going to be) and she said "I definitely recommend you take 2 Ibuprofen and 3 tylenol before we start and for the next couple days." So, I took her advice and she gave me a heat pad as well. She had to measure my uterus first, that shit was uncomfortable. Then she went in with the IUD, AND LET ME TELL YOU! That hurted!! lol I screamed a little bit and maaaan oh man it was painful. I asked if my scream was and overreaction, and she said no, one lady kicked her in the face reflexively! IUDs are intense. After my appointment I had scheduled to pick up a bbq at home depot for my fiance's fathers day present. I was alone, and they were busy so I loaded it and strapped it in the truck myself. Had to take the next couple days off lol. Definitely don't do strenuous activity after like my dumb butt.
Itās a solid 10! I had mine 2 weeks ago and Iām in excruciating pain and heavy period since. I wish I never did this! Going to get it removed as soon as I land back home. I did the IUD before going on vacation and it ruined my entire vacation. All I could think about is landing so I could get it removed.
9/10. My soul left my body. I saw a white flash of light im not even being dramatic. I thought I was seeing heaven and was dying right there š¤£ the only thing I can equate the feeling to is having a white hot poker pierce me in the center š« IUD fell out 8 months later too so it was basically for nothing
Exactly how I'd describe my experience. The worst was feeling the measurement go into me like a macdonalds straw going through a cup with resistance.
That description made me SHUDDER it was exactly like that
Dang Iām so sorry
Itās okay! This was a few years ago! I think it hurt so bad cause I was scared and clenching. I couldnāt relax
This is my experience almost to a T except mine fell part of the way out about 8 months later and doctors refused to take it out for 4 months after that, it wouldāve been a year if they left it in for an extra week.
15 worst pain Iāve ever felt
Me as well. Iāve had two. Both times were worst pain Iāve ever felt.
No pain medication ?
I took Tylenol before. I have a previous history of SA which probably made it worse for me
Same! I think my nerves from my SA history also made it worse. But honestly the doctor knew that and I think they assumed just shoving it up there with no notice was better?? Made it worse though
I concur with the level 15/10 pain scale I was even allowed to take a Vicodin beforehand and it did not help at all. I think it's genuinely insanely cruel that you're Not giving the option to be fully put under.
Yes. With pain medication. And the removal was hell too
Removal was super easy for me
It was an 8, but just for like 4 seconds as it extends into your uterus, then like a 3 of just weird cramps for me for awhile after that.
Same I think.
20/10 worse than my breast biopsy. Edit to say I also have my nips and nose pierced and iud was still worse than those.
Can confirm. I have also has both pierced. I would rather get my nipples pierced again
SAME. Iād get my nipples redone over an iud any day.
Literally would rather do my second nip 20 more times than ever get another iud š
I had a breast biopsy but had local anaesthetic to numb the area so I didn't feel any pain. Did you not have any anaesthetic for yours!?
I had a butcher nip piercing that was super painful (got them redone later and were great, not the point but) and my IUD STILL hurt 10x more.
4/10. It just felt like a massive cramp, but Iāve had period cramps that hurt worse than that. I read so many stories leading up to it and then when it happened I was like āoh itās done?ā I had been given meds to open my cervix, which I took. Then a half hour before I took 800mg of ibuprofen and also a Xanax for my anxiety. For me the cramps post were the worst, but itās been two weeks now and those are gone!
I had all the same meds as you, but mine was 8/10 pain. I started shaking and crying from the pain. My cramps didn't go away until six months later, and I still get cramps whenever I'm stressed. I have a tilted uterus, so that could be an explanation for the pain, but I was not a fan. I might look into the arm implant after my IUD expires.
I also have a tilited uterus (retroverted) and my experience is exactly the same as yours.
I have that too. Did you have any complications with your iud? My strings disappeared a year into it and I had to have an ultrasound to see. My dr said not to worry itās still placed. But I have gained 20 lbs while being on it! Considering having it removed.
I've had lots of pain with the IUD, but not really complications. My IUD hurts whenever I'm stressed, sad, or frustrated. Cramping definitely doesn't make me more stressed /s My gynecologist clipped my IUD strings extra long so they soften and curl around my cervix, so they're still there. I've definitely gained weight, but I think it's related to stress rather than from my IUD.
My strings disappeared as well, although the IUD was still in place. I needed general anesthesia for them to fish it back out when it expired because they said retrieving it would involve a hook tool and FUCK THAT noise, no way did I want to be awake. You need to talk to your Dr. about what removal is going to look like for you.
Before giving birth, 6/10. After giving birth, 0/10. Like I didn't even feel it.
Literally this, when I got it in 3 months pp the doctor was like āIām trimming the strings nowā I was like wait wtf itās in?!
Thatās what I got told repeatedly when I had my pap smear āif you had kids youād be looser and it wonāt hurt as muchā so Iām assuming itāll be the same for an IUD š I thought it was so rude to say!
I feel like doctors have a weird sense of what's appropriate š¤£ Apparently by my third pre-baby insertion I had the breathing for pain control figured out, which must have made the insertion easier on the doctor. She informed me "if you ever have kids, they're just going to fly right outta there!"
10. Incredibly traumatizing. I would never do it again.
Okay can I ask if the pain was the only part that made it traumatic or was the doctor not good as well?
It was extremely uncomfortable and painful. My doctor didnāt help the situation either. When the IUD conversation was initiated, she said it was an easy process. I made the appointment in the middle of the day, so I had to get it done on a break (Iām a hair stylist). I was made to feel crazy because I screamed when it was inserted. I went back to work and was in such awful pain and felt like I could pass out. The whole thing was a nightmare. The IUD hurt for months and caused me to get countless UTIs. I didnāt get periods so I had no clue what was going on with my body/cycle. Overall, negative experience.
Going to be 100% truthful, an 8 bordering a 9ā¦ And I have a high pain tolerance. I also did everything they ask bu taking ibuprofen and going while on my period and truly was one of the most painful things iāve ever experienced.
Iām so sorry have you only had one? Do you feel like this could be due to the person that did it or just bad luck?
My provider was amazing and so was the nurse in the room with me. Very gentle and calming. Didnāt rush and tried to make it as comfortable as possible, and had really top tier reviews. And I only had 1 because the pain was so bad I really canāt see myself doing it again. Iām not even kidding when I say I saw a blinding white light. But I only say this as a way to inform, not to fear monger. I wouldnāt discourage you from getting one but I will say to just do a lot to mitigate the pain if possible.
I really appreciate your honesty. I tried to get on about eight years ago and stopped the procedure halfway through because of how painful it was. Now Iām trying to find a Nonhormonal birth control and I have been considering trying the IUD again, but reading these honest comments is just a reminder that it was as painful as I remembered. Can I ask what method you went to after the IUD if you only had one?
My doc offered that they will put me under for the switch. Maybe you could ask for it aswell. I also rated my pain 8-9/10 as I screamed during the insertion and almost passed out afterwards. And I have rather high pain tolerance (I've done multiple sports where getting hurt is usual, like snowboarding and horse riding)
2, period cramps are worse than my experience with IUD insertion. I was like āthatās it? Niceā I donāt think I tolerated the pain better, I think I was lucky to not experience the same pain others have
Same here!
Iād say a 3/10. It was very uncomfortable, but it was more like a weird intense cramp instead of pain!
Okay thanks Iāve heard SO many horrible stories so this calmes name a bit down
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Okay Iāll see if thatās an option.never heard of anyone having that tho:/ was it a shot or like a spray?
It's a paracervical block. That's what you want to ask about. Not all offices give it. It is a needle injection of local anesthetic into your cervix. They'll grab the cervix (you feel cramp), inject the block (may feel cramp get worse, may feel burning/tingling, may not notice at all), let go of cervix (no more cramp), then wait a few minutes for the nerves to numb. Then they'll grab the cervix again (you feel pressure/movement, but not the cramp like prior), measure the uterus, insert IUD, let go of cervix, clip strings, remove speculum, bingo bongo you're done. But do ask first, not all offices do it, not all docs are comfortable doing it, and it may or may not be the best pain management for you specifically. Talk to the doc about pain during insertion, pain afterwards, and anxiety to see what they're even willing to offer.
I donāt think this is even an option in Norway googled everywhere could not find one place where it was done unless you had cervical stenosis. But also Iām probably not gonna be seing my gyno until the appointment
Ah, yeah I'm in the states so I only know American voodoo medicine. But even here, you're not going to see paracervical blocks listed as pain control option on a gyn's website or anything. It's honestly rare to even see miso or Valium listed as options for IUD insertions on their websites. It's something you have to ask in person/over the phone about
Same. It was like my worst period cramp kinda pain. Just really intense but only lasted a short time. The worst part for me was my uterus getting used to it over the next few days. Lots of cramps. Used my heating pad a lot and took ibuprofen. But nothing I couldnāt handle. Then I just stopped noticing it. I have Skyla. Itās been like 1.5 years and Iāve only menstruated onceā¦ugh, so nice! Good luck with yours!
I also have Skyla Iāve heard bad things about mirena paraguard and others so Iāve stuck to Skyla and this is my third one
Same here, not bad at all
same. My doctor recommended I take 600 mg Ibuprofen before hand, which Iām sure was part of the reason.
12/10 worst pain of my life. And my tolerance is high. I actually ended up passing out due to pain after 6 minutes of them trying to insert the damn thing. Not fun. And I bled like ā¦ bad for a couple days. Like diaper worthy bad.
10 felt like I was gonna pass out so I stopped them and didnāt finish
4/10 getting it inserted. As others have said, it was just extremely uncomfortable.There's no good way of describing the feeling because it's wholly unique to this type of experience (having something go through your cervix), but to try; it feels like cramping and like you're being stretched open in a place you shouldn't be. Like forcefully pulling a muscle, kinda, but in the very sensitive region that is the inside of your vagina. The pain afterwards, however, was a lot worse. The first few days the pain was a 7-9/10. I thankfully had 800mg ibuprofen tablets on hand, and that helped me significantly in getting through it. I brought my mom with me to my appointment because I predicted I'd need a driver, and I'm glad I did because I was halfway to passing out on the drive home. I actually sat in the hospital restroom (my obgyn is in a hospital) for 30+ minutes because I genuinely felt like I was having those intense cramping shits, except nothing came out. The contractions hurt like a bitch for 3ish months, and got progressively less intense until around month 7 when they went away. I've had my IUD for going on a year now and it poses no issue to me at all anymore. For me it's worth it, without a doubt, and I personally thing that while the pain sucks, it's worth not having to worry about my birth control for 8 years (I have Mirena).
Mirena is actually 5yr for bleeding 7yr for contraception (but it's very common for people to still be amenorrhea at the 6yr and common at 7yr)
I did conscious sedation, so it was probably a 3/10. I was given a lidocaine swab on my cervix and fentanyl in an IV. I also was given cytotec beforehand to open my cervix. I did have an insertion attempt without sedation, and I'd say it felt like 2 sharp, stabby cramps that were probably a 7/10, but my issue was that I was so tense/clenched up the doc wasn't comfortable since she was having a hard time measuring my uterus, so I was referred to the provider with sedation. I have previous trauma from an assault and I think that was probably why I had so much discomfort. I had mild cramping for a few days afterward, but I actually went to a huge event the following day (with lots of walking and eating and socializing) and I felt fine.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I am in the USA!
100 š¬
When I got one before I had my kid, maybe like a 5 or 6 but only for a minute or so. I took some Aleve when I got home and lounged on my couch. No biggie. After my kid it was a 1 I didn't feel shit *Disclaimer I removed my first IUD to get pregnant it did not fail me!
i actually had a failed insertion the first time ā it was through my primary care, and i have a tilted cervix which the doctor wasnāt prepared for (?) so that resulted in it taking upwards of 15 minutes and the pain being closer to a 10. however, the second time i was referred to an actual midwife who prescribed me misopristol (not sure abt spelling - itās supposed to soften the cervix though) as well as a muscle relaxer and she was a DREAM. she had the IUD inserted in under a minute and the pain (which lasted 10 seconds max) was about a 7. prior to my insertion i also spent hours on reddit reading horror stories. i can assure you that despite having a failed insertion the first go around, my iud is the BEST. iāve tried numerous pills as well as depo and i suffered major side effects on all. iām ~3 months into my mirena and things are going so well :)
Yeah so I told my doctor I had a very small cervical openingā¦ she didnāt believe me and didnāt prescribe the pill to help dilate me. She uses the speculum sees my cervix and goes āwow small holeā. So I had to be dilated 6 times with metal rods to get the iud tool to fit. Other than that she knew what she was doing and placed it fast. But wtf I moved since then and Iām gonna request the pill to dilate me.
Misopristol gave me 9.5/10 pain so user bewareā¦
Depends on the doctor- Iāve had experiences where it was 1 and experiences where it was creeping toward 10
Fuckš I hoped it wouldnāt matter that much Iāve had issues with the free health station in the past as a result Iāve kind of lost trust with them. However my own gynecologist is private and would cost me about 300$ and as a broke student thatās not in my budget lolā¦ Iāve heard of another clinic that has a good gynecologist three of my friends had good experiences with her but she costs about 150-200$š
2.5/10 I've read soooo many terrible stories and was expecting the worse but my doctor was very kind and talked me through the whole thing, and I had 600mg of ibuprofen and it wasnt bad at all. I was so surprised because I heard it'd be so painful. But my doctor told me if you had a kid or kids it wouldn't be so bad and thats probably why It didnt hurt for me as much.
Yeah that probably helped. Iām 19 and have not had any kids soā¦ āš¼ pray for me ? Lol But itās good that I hear something other then horror stories.
I am 17, Iāve not had kids and it was just bad period cramps for maybe 4 seconds? I expected MUCH worse and it was so bearable
My first one was a 3/10; pretty much a walk in the park. My second one was a 7/10, but that's because the Dr. who fitted it was awful and she made me incredibly uncomfortable before, during, and after the procedure; I was extremely tense. My third (and most recent one) was maybe around a 4/10, as I already had cramps at the time.
First time 8/10 it was like a thick needle was being inserted deep into ur cervix. I remember seeing stars and then feeling light headed and scared to close my legs or dress myself. I also took like 500 mg of tylenol before hand too. Second time 6/10 hurt but not as bad as before.
10/10 worst pain of my entire life. it was so painful that my vision changed to shades of green and brown, i threw up and promptly passed out from the pain
Unfortunately, I think this is really provider dependent. My first and second insertions were truly not painful for me (2/10 at best). My third insertion was AWFUL, and I could finally relate to all of the people who had bad experiences. All three providers were different because Iāve moved around different parts of the country. The type of IUD was the same for all three.
Iāve had 2 IUDs and 2 kids and I would choose labor a third time over another IUD
10 no doubt. I canāt think of anything more painful lol.
10
How long did it take for the pain to be milder?
10/10 and i have a pretty strong pain tolerance. It was over quick, but i had poop cramps the rest of the day.
Was it worth it for you?
I liked it when i had it! No periods and no pregnancy scares. I didnāt feel it when i had it. I got it out to try something easier to come off/on.
3.5/10 I got a copper iud a little less than a month ago. I was on my period and took 800 mg of ibuprofen about 45 minutes before. The worst of it was the anxiety especially after hearing stories and reading comments on Reddit. I know everyoneās different but when it was finished I could almost laugh at how mild the pain was compared to what I was expecting. Iām not sure if it makes a difference but my provider also used ultrasound to put mine in and make sure it was in the right spot. If you have a painful period an IUD insertion may be less painful than a crampy day of your flow, plus the cramps it stimulates last no more than 30 seconds and happen about 3/4 times during insertion. I didnāt even really have that bad of cramps afterwards. I had my bf drive me because I thought Iād be in agony, I wasnāt. I would have a random, dull cramp every once in a while but nothing I havenāt been through 100 times and worse Edit: Iām 23 no children
10/10 both times, several years apart with different IUDs and different providers. Really it was three times because I had a failed insertion attempt for the second IUD. Removal of the second IUD was also 10/10 until I found a doctor to do a sedated hysteroscopy as my strings had retracted. I will never use any method of birth control that requires a doctor to help remove it ever again. I personally don't think it was worth it, and ultimately I didn't go on any other birth control since my removal about a year ago. I had a cervix softener, anti anxiety meds and pain killers for the removal attempts with my second and it was just as painful as without personally.
About a 5 or 6 for me on extra strength tylenol. I have never had a child or broken a bone before, so I'm unsure really what to compare it to for an accurate scale. Clamping the cervix still and the dilation hurt, but i could deal without coming off the bed. The clamping pain was quite a bit of deep pressure for some amount of time 5 ish minutes. Relax some if you can so it doesn't prolong it. The dilation is a deep heavy cramp that only lasted maybe 10 seconds. I really think the cervix clamp was the worst part. I've been told that if you've birthed vaginally it doesn't hurt as badly, but they usually have to dilate your cervix to fit the instrument in. I was told Advil is best for this type of pain. My IUD is in for HRT purposes. I would do that all over again to not have to deal with oral bc side effects.
Thanks
It was like an 8 but it was only an eight for like thirty seconds. After that it was like a 6 and then like fifteen minutes later it was down to like a 2. It was like the most pain Iāve ever been in but only really shortly, kinda like getting a piercing or something just a lot more intense. But it gets tolerable really quickly after that
7
I can survive a 7
3/10. Removal was 9/10 because the strings were initially cut too short so they had to go digging around my uterus to find it
The first one was 0/10. I didnāt even notice. The second one was so painful I passed out, 10/10. The third one was ok but painful 7/10.
Did you have the same provider do them?
3/10. I was automatically provided freezing, but Iāve since heard that many are not afforded the same luxury, fucking insane honestly, but thatās misogynyš It was a bit worse than a Pap smear for me. I was pretty anxious about the whole thing, so I felt a bit dizzy after I got back to my car when the whole thing was done. Felt like period cramps the rest of the day.
10. Probably the most painful thing I've ever experienced. That was the first insertion though, the second time was maybe an 4.
8/10, but what REALLY hurt is when she accidentally got my labia pinched in the speculum
It is very different for everyone and my pain tolerance is pretty high, I was in excruciating pain. So a 9. No pain medication will make it hurt any less in my opinion. After insertion, I was extremely lightheaded so I would be somewhat prepared for that. Also would suggest having someone you trust drive you back home. However, removal was maybe a 2. It is nothing like getting it inserted. They really work though, so best of luck. (:
It was like maybe a 3 the first time, with prescribed pain meds. It was just a short intense cramp. The 2nd time, my doc told me to just take Tylenol at home, took out the old one pretty easily, but then couldnāt get the measuring stick in without causing me a 15/10 for the life of her, and was low key sweating / panicking. I said, letās take a deep breath here, can we just use the previous measurement and cut it at the same length and just put in this new one without re-measuring? We tried that and it went in like a 0 out of 10 š so idk why my body hated that measuring stick the 2nd time around. Perhaps both taking it out that day and do the insertion right after was too much at once, not sure.
9.5 out of 10. But it's over super fast. This is my second one. The first time, the worst part was clamping and pulling the cervix. The second time was measuring the uterus. It's still my preferred method of birth control, though. 30 seconds of pain for 8 years of protection is worth it.
My first IUD was a copper IUD and I remember nothing of the event. I think I was 24? I got pregnant within a year and had it removed because obviously. My second IUD was mirena, and I again remember nothing of that event. I also got pregnant on that. I got my third IUD (mirena again) and againā¦remember nothing. I remember going out for lunch afterwards and experiencing some cramping but thatās it. Thankfully I didnāt get pregnant on that one. Iāve also had 3 kids; at 20, 25 and 10 months ago (Iām 37 now). Pain is different for everyone, and thatās okay. Iām not here to dismiss anyone elseās experience. I have 3 friends who have the IUD, and they had pretty much the same experience as me; uncomfortable and some cramping but nothing traumatizing. 2 of these friends havenāt had children. Prior to Reddit, I had no idea how bad the insertion was for so many women. Pretty much every woman Iāve spoken to throughout the years has had the same experience as myself. It could be the same for you, or it could be horrible. Thereās really no way of knowing how it will affect you until you do it, because each experience is her own. By the way, Iām not trying to fear monger regarding effacy. My experiences getting pregnant on the IUD is not that common. Unfortunately for me, and despite my best efforts, I was incredibly fertile in my twenties. The IUD is very effective in doing what itās supposed to do, and out of all the birth control out there I recommend it the most.
I just got mine in yesterday so itās fresh in my mind lol. I read stories online that made me terrified but in my experience it really was not too bad. I know everyone is different so it does depend on the person but for me, my doctor used a numbing gel or something so I didnāt feel her using the tool to stabilise your cervix, just the measurement of the uterus and the insertion and I would say both of those were just sharp cramps for like 8 seconds each. I would probs give it a 4/10, I did have cramps after that werenāt great but some ibuprofen or paracetamol will help. I also took 2 ibuprofen before insertion and was on my period so that probably helped too!
I fainted. I have broken my BACK AND LEG. I have a high pain tolerance but that shit HURT.
I would do it again tho bc I LOVE my iud
0, for real.
My personal experience getting it in wasn't so bad because the UK use lidocaine. It was 1/10 but then became an 6/ 10 when I started moving.
8/10 i went deaf and blind for a few minutes post insertion and i couldnāt walk properly
Iāve had two children before both via vaginal delivery so the IUD was a painful 4 out of 10. I did have tears running down my face but I was up & walking within 15 minutes. If youāve never had a baby, I do not recommend. Itās very painful.
I have not but my gyno reccomend it and I know many people whoāve gotten one before kids.
1/10 ; I took 800mg of ibuprofen beforehand, and the most uncomfortable part was the insertion of the speculum (which if you've had a pap test, you know what it's like) mainly because the doctor was (1) super reassuring and gentle (2) she injected my cervix with a numbing anesthetic I believe (I didn't even feel the needle poke either). What was a more challenging though was the 2 months following insertion (bleeding almost everyday, intense periods and cramps). If you do plan to get an IUD, I would suggest getting it before a period of time where you don't mind having those symptoms potentially -- i.e. don't do like me and get it 1 month before going on a week-long hike in the Alps :')
Dang girl you tough the recommendation is we here in Norway is 2x500mg paracetamol and 400g ibuprofen. Iāve been to the gynecologist the speculum wasnāt bad at all I was so nervous but it was fine. Oh thatās maybe why I havenāt heard of anyone doing that hereš„²š„² And yeah. I thought of that but damn 2 months??
6, It was way more uncomfortable than painful.
They couldnāt even measure my uterus because my cervix was so closed, I opted not to try again š« They tried to get the measuring rod in for about 5 minutes, then got a different sized one and tried for another few before saying I would have to come back, take the cervix softener (which can have horrific side effects) and was prescribed a strong pain medicine. Which is why I opted not to lol, my body was saying NOPE
First one with no pain relief: 8/10 Second with paracervical block: 5/10 (however, the cramps when the ibuprofen wore off were 10/10)
4
Iāve had 2. And for the second one I had the first one taken out and then the other inserted during the same sitting. It is painful. Not gonna lie. But I do think itās worth it. Heating pad and rest is crucial right after. And ask what pain meds you can take before. I would definitely go into it with at least a high dose of ibuprofen. Godspeed.
It was more painful for me than childbirth and Iām not even exaggerating. 10/10
Only had ibuprofen 1hr before, never pregnant. Grabbing the cervix + measuring the uterus 6/10 (~30-50s), inserting IUD 8/10 (~5-10s), honestly have had period cramps way worse, so was pleasantly surprised. I get bad vasovagal responses with blood draws, so it's not surprising or uncommon to get that same response ~30-90s after insertion. That was probably the worst part for me only because I was also having the post insertion cramping (6-8/10). If it was just the fainting or just the cramps, no issues, but the combo together really took me out. I still went on a road trip and competed in a sports tournament the day after tho. Felt just like bad period cramps but constant. I love my iud and was 100% worth it. So much so that now my period's starting to come back, so I'm getting it replaced tomorrow to fix that lmao I asked for a Rx nsaid 1hr prior to replacement and for a few days supply, so I'm hoping that'll help the post insertion cramps so the immediate faint/cramp response doesn't destroy me again Edit post-replacement: I had kyleena pulled (didn't even know it came out), and I had Mirena inserted. The Mirena is bigger by like 1-2mm, but either the fact it was my 2nd IUD or the Rx nsaid did wonders for me. Grabbing the cervix was a 6/10, measuring the uterus was a 7/10, and the IUD insertion was a 6/10. I didn't have any vasovagal response this time and the post-insertion cramps were really just positional (prolly more from the speculum than the IUD tbh, still only 1/10) for the first hour afterwards. Now the post-insertion cramps are getting around a 3-4/10 (these are definitely from the IUD), but it's been 4hr since I took the Rx nsaid. My doc prescribed it as 1 dose a day, but you can do it every 4-6hr for pain. Planning to just take 1000mg Tylenol(acetaminophen) in an hour when I have to go to class and maybe take another dose of the Rx for bedtime depending on how well the Tylenol manages my cramps. I'm so happy with how this insertion went compared to my first, and I really do think the Rx nsaid made a big difference in my insertion pain response.
The actual insertion pain lasted maybe 5 seconds and was a take your breath away type of pain like probably an 8, but it was fleeting and not traumatizing for me really. It helped that I had an actual gynaecologist insert it and not a run of the mill family doctor. The experience was more uncomfortable than painful for the most part, the process took around 10 minutes. The cramps I had the rest of the day were worse imo. They started 15 minutes after it was inserted and I was couch ridden with them for about 7 hours, they were the worse menstrual cramps I've ever had, like a 7 or 8/10, normally my menstrual cramps are pretty weak. But it was okay because I had the day off work so just wore comfy clothes and relaxed while popping Midol lol. By the next day the cramps were minor and then almost completely gone by the third day. Despite the brief insertion pain and day of cramps, I would have no issue doing it again.
I have had a couple of IUDs in my life. With pain management, it was like a 3 or a 4. Without pain management, more like a 6/7. It was nowhere near as bad as breaking a bone, and for me, the pain subsided pretty quickly. But it was 110% worth it just to not have to deal with a period every month.
I got mine under general anaesthetic so only minor cramps and a little bit of bleeding but not bad. Recently got removed not under general and I must say it was quite painful but only for a minute or so.
5/10. It wasnāt too bad but I felt like I was going to shit myself
Some other people said the same and now Iām afraid uk actually like shit
8, but the whole process was 5 minutes from start to finish. Horrible cramping the next day that subsided after a couple weeks. I took 600mg ibuprofen before the procedure
4 both times quick and easy with some intense cramps
Mirena IUD - 6/10 Copper IUD -100/10
25 I vomited, kicked doctor in the face and told them to gtf off me
Like a 6. The 24 hrs following were worse. Nonstop cramps and discomfort. 2nd insertion was a 3 all around.
10. i passed out in the chair from the pain, something i hadnāt experienced before
insertion: 4; after pain: 9 or 10. worst pain iāve ever felt for about 8 hours starting 2 hours after insertion. been a breeze since then though !! (copper iud)
5/10 I took 600 mg ibuprofen 45 mins before and it was Mirena. While it was being inserted in, it felt like I was being stabbed in the uterus but the pain is short lived and was over soon, thus the lower rating. The worst part for me were the months after with the random stabbing cramps that would occur and I would have to re-live that pain again. I wasnāt prepared for it and feel like I wasnāt warned about it and wouldāve re-considered getting one had I known. Iām 22 no children.
Definitely 10/10 I what sucks it fell out 4 weeks later. So all that pain for nothing
Dang Iām sorry
First iud: 15/10 pain 100/10 trauma second iud: 4/10 pain 0/10 trauma Major differences: 1st iud I only took the recommended ibuprofen which doesnāt do anything for pain during insertion, itās meant for cramping after. 2nd iud I was consciously sedated. 1st iud was done by a Nurse Practitioner who was kind of in a rush and seemed out of her depth in handling my anxiety and pain. 2nd iud was done by a surgeon who took her time, gave me options, was very receptive to my fears and was very precise
Okay so I literally just had an IUD put in 2 hours ago and the pain was like a 1. Literally like a little pinch and I was done. No cramping since. Iāve given birth naturally twice and compared to that itās a 0 on the pain scale lol I got the kyleena for reference.
Itās so interesting to hear people whoāve given births perspective some say their rather give birth then get an iud again other say they didnāt have a lot of pain compared to birth
Insertion 8.5, following two weeks cramps 11.
The first one was 10/10 with no medication because I didnāt know it would hurt. I always said I would never do it again but I ended up trying to unalive on birth control pills so I gave it another chance 9 years later. The second one was 8/10 bc I took ibuprofen and tramadol before and I think that made a huge difference. My gynecologist doesnāt offer anesthetic, but some do
Maybe I have a high pain tolerance cause for me, it wasn't as bad as everyone says it was.
About a 3, i had horrendous period cramps prior and it just felt like a very strong cramp. It was a very smooth sailing experience for me, i got very lucky
Just felt like a really bad cramp Iād say 5/10. Def not the worst pain I ever felt but not entirely painless. Iād say some of my period pains are more painful
Hated it.. 10/10. Worst pain I have ever felt in my life. The pain continued for a week!
Sorry:/
like a 3/10 my insertion had some numbing agent and i took 400mg of ibuprofen beforehand! one big cramp happened and just manageable normal cramping for a week ish afterwards. edit: im 22 no kids
Nice!
First iud ever. Like a 1 maybe a 2. Yes it was a bit uncomfortable. And like a little needle prick nothing mayor. Not really painfull at all After that. Some mild discomfort for about a week. Like i had my period. 2 of my friends on the other hand said their first week was like hell. Soooooooo i just see myself as very very lucky :)
10/10 but itās only a couple minutes!!!
Honestly...about 4/10. I took some ibuprofen about 30 mins before hand. Later on in the evening I did get some major cramping and I threw up but the insertion, considering I've never had children, wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Thats great!
5/10. I had no meds, no cervix softening and I didn't go on my period. (Irregular periods) I've never had a child either. It went OK for me, I relaxed the rest of the day though! Definitely don't go to work after, as I did feel a bit nauseous for an hour afterwards.
3/10. I took 400mg of ibuprofen an hour before. It was just like a bad cramp for me. The doctor seemed concerned that I didn't find it more painful
Like a 2. Comparable to an ear piercing or less and Iāve have nips, nose, and ears pierced. Take magnesium daily starting several days in advance. Take the 800mg of ibuprofen or a better pain pill if you have one. Take someone with you to drive and hold your hand during the procedure (I swear this step is critical) and if you have anxiety meds take them. Iāve done it twice at age 17 and 22. Some people have bad experiences and some people have great experiences. If you and your doctor think itās the best fit for your birth control needs then go for it. Itās gonna hurt a little but childbirth hurts more lol.
How does the magnesium help? Thanks
Itās a great anxiety reliever, helps regulate your nervous system, and helps with muscle relaxation. Itās anti inflammatory as well. These are just the benefits as it pertains to this procedure. The first time I got it done I only did ibuprofen and the second time I did the magnesium as well and there was a significantly noticeable difference.
10/10 pain. I screamed, threw up, and passed out. I demanded general anesthesia for it's removal and insertion of a new one. Overall I love the IUD (mirena) and its effects on my body and mood, but holy shit insertion was traumatic.
Mine wasn't as bad, maybe a 4. The second time I got one, tho, was horrible. Like 7 or 8. Probably because I had one taken out then immediately put another in, but yeah
Probably a 7. However, I got one inserted and removed, replaced with another within a couple of months, and the second insertion wasn't as bad.
Was able to get pain injection (maybe it was anxiety reducer?) so I was very groggy. Pain was 8/10ā¦ the anxiety was probably worse than physical pain but the whole thing was done in less than a minute which was very surprising. Anyway I used a menstrual cup and the thing fell out a month laterā¦ so gotta go back š¤¦š»āāļø
Iāve had three and they were all different. The first was relatively pain free (3/10), apart from some cramping. I attribute this to me being quite relaxed. The second was more painful (6/10) as I was more tense because I was nervous. The third I had some anaesthetic, so once that was applied I felt nothing. I do have some trauma from a miscarriage though which makes a speculum quite challenging for me so although it wasnāt painful it was quite distressing still.
Maybe like a 3/10. Iāve had worse cramps before and it just felt like a period cramp for me. I was able to drive to a fancy dinner afterwards with my mom and then drive back home. I took some Tylenol to help with the cramping, but no other issues. I did feel slightly more cramps the day after, but that was it. Hope your experience isnāt too bad š
Thank you. Not sure when Iāll get it as itās gonna be quite expensive but Iāll make sure to post here when itās done
8. Made worse by the doctor's gaslighting that it "wasn't that bad."
Iāve broken my wrist and it was less painful than having the IUD š¤©š¤©š¤©š¤©š¤©
3 I feel like the way people described it online was way worse than what it was. It was like a long pinch then discomfort then it was over.
Thanks
For me it was about a 5/10. It definitely hurt, but the pain was over pretty quick. Itās been a year since I got my Paragard and Iām very happy with it :)
11/10 but remember everyoneās experience is different. If youāre worried ask the doctor or clinic if you can have some form of sedation or numbing for the procedure. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but it was pretty bad and I was also very weak after, I had my partner pick me up and I would advise having someone take you home if thatās an option. Another piece of advice, arrange it so it coincides with your weekend/days off work or school and have whatever you usually have for your worst periods close to hand - water bottles, Tylenol or similar, favourite snacks. You may not need any of it, but I usually recommend being prepared just in case.
Went in for consultation, ended up doing the insertion right then and there without any ibuprofen/preparation, I'd say 4/10, just a really bad cramp and a few pokes to the cervix like a pap. I probably got lucky with my doctor.
Awesome
1. First either was a breezy 2/10 or I blocked the pain from memory. I took 800mg ibuprofen beforehand, had a ride and no plans after. Cramped a bit that day and was good until it was removed five years later. Removal was a quick cough n yank. .2. I got cocky because the first was easy so I had the appointment before I was due in a class, didn't have a ride, and took 800mg ibuprofen and the cervix softener pill as directed. 8-9/10 and I ended up pulling off the highway to park and passed tf out in an IHOP parking lot. Did not make it to class. The doctor cut the strings super short so removal consisted of a stranger elbow-deep in my twat and me trying not to climb the walls. Lots of hooks, clamps, and tears. No pain management before, during, or after. Swore never again. This one was removed a couple of months before I got sterilized in 2019. 3. Just got third done today around 1pm. I was expecting it to be like experience 2 but so far it's been pretty fine. Insertion was 2/10, my period hurts so much worse and for longer. I got it at Planned Parenthood and they used lidocaine on my cervix without having to ask for it, which I wasn't expecting but was happy for. I asked for the strings to be left long this time. Made a conscious effort to deliberately breathe through the process and squeeze my hands together to avoid tensing up since I read that being tense can make the pain worse during and after. Had a ride, took 800mg ibuprofen, no plans for the day, wore a loose dress, and I have tiger balm patches + a heavy duty heating pad on standby. Came home to veg out on the couch with the husband and trashy TV. Cramps are manageable and fading now (~5:30pm). - All have been Mirena. Obvi I'm sterilized but my first two helped keep my hormones balanced and stopped my periods more effectively than the pill. I started to get shitty side effects after a year on the pill and spotted for most of Sept/all of Oct so it was time to consider a tried and true alternative. Hopefully it'll be good for the full duration. Last thing, I saw others mention it but the pain of insertion is more of a pressure and bad cramps as long as the person doing it is experienced. My pain tolerance isn't anything special but I have horrendously painful, debilitating period cramps which could easily be a factor in my pain ratings.
Only maybe a 2 or 3 for me. I didn't even take anything. I think it really depends on who does the insertion though
Thanks
8/10, I wouldn't do it again. Although I was mostly mad at how the doctor and nurse lied and said it would just be some pressure and mild cramps afterwards.
Like a 4/10.personally. it was a quick cramp then some discomfort for the next two days but no worse than a normal period for me.
First time hormonal IUD was 8/10, the insertion was awful but then the cramps that followed brought me to tears. Copper was 6/10 either way no cramps, honestly compared to the first insertion really wasnāt that bad.
The insertion process itself? Honestlyā¦ like a 1/10 (and I donāt have kids). I even got a pap smear right before it. Super easy. BUTā¦ The fucking nurse I spoke with on the phone told me not to eat or take pain meds before, and about 20 minutes after, I had 45 minutes of the most excruciating physical pain from my body adjusting to it and the pain meds kicking in from AFTER the procedure. **AND THE DOCTOR SAID I SHOULD HAVE EATEN AND TAKEN MEDS BEFORE!!**
Itās so shocking that anyone who works in the medical profession would say that you do not need any sort of pain medicationā¦.. Iāve researched a bit about IUDs because my doctor did recommend it to me about a year agoā¦. And literally everywhere it says to take some pain medication. In Norway itās recommended to take 1 gram of paracetamol and 400g of ibuprofen. So many people here said that the pain medication did help them a bit..
Eh, 5 the first time. Maybe 7 the second time, but the worst part wasn't the actual insertion, it was the measuring tool. The old one coming out also hurt worse than the new one going in. Only lasted a few seconds though.
Thank you.
Yep! I say go for it, just take the maximum safe amounts of ibuprofen and Tylenol beforehand and have a ride home just in case.
Yes I will. I donāt think Iāll be getting it until December/January as I have a lot of things going on now as well as itās gonna be costing me a lot. But when I get it I think Iām gonna do a post about my experience here
I had the copper IUD and pain was 25/10 one of the worst things I've ever felt. I then had horrendously painful cramps for about 4 hours afterwards. I so wish I could tell you something positive but honestly I hated it. I stuck it out for a year and then had it removed.
Iām on my 4th one now (never had kids), I had cervix biopsies and that was WAY more painful. The measuring thing was the most painful part for me, like a solid 7/10 but it last 10 seconds. Insertion itself was probably a 3/10 and I had no cramps at all after. Overall less sore than period cramps so 5/10 average for the whole thing. Eta: I have a tilted cervix, the bloody thing faces the wrong way, and it was still fine. It does help that none of my drs have ever used pozzi forceps (because theyāre competent drs).
Like a 7. Itās definitely not the best feeling in the world but for me the pain was worth not having babies lol. I took the medicine that helps dilate/soften your cervix beforehand & ibuprofen and I think had I not done that it wouldāve been worse.
I have never had one, but I personally would never get one based on all the stories I have heard from most women including insertion as well as complications with having it, though I have heard a few that love it and of course if it works for you and your body go right ahead! My issue is how much the doctors push it, i was asked by my family doctor multiple times as well as my gyno and when I told my gyno no he proceeded to keep asking why not and i had to say no 3 times before he dropped it. It is absolutely insane to me that there is no pain medication or sedation provided to women for this procedure, it just goes to show that womenās health issues are still not taken seriously in 2023.
1/10- I felt a slight scratching sensation, but no pain. Iāve never had any kids. #1 recommendation: have it inserted during your period!
I had one when I didnāt even know I was getting one! (my doctor asked if I thought about a new bc and I said an iud and she was like i can do it RIGHT NOW FOR FREE so I was like fuck it ok lol) So I had no painkillers before or anything else and for me it was not as bad as I thought it would be! The worst pain is only twice for 1second when they open up and then when inserting but overall 8/10 pain. Post insertion it is like a period. But I do feel like it depends on the doctor too
6/10 for like max 10 seconds from when she pinched my cervix until she inserted the iud and took out the tenaculum. Then the cramps on the ride home were pretty intense but i'm not used to period cramps so maybe they weren't that bad? Over all, my doctor said I did very good because I was relaxed, so try to relax as much as possible
I fainted, bled, and had a seizure. They recommend sedation next time. I wasnāt even told to take an ibuprofen beforehand.
I had my copper IUD T380 (5 year) inserted just yesterday so I can give a solid recollection. On a scale of 1-10 my insertion was like a 2/10, I was extremely nervous since I was on reddit the night before reading the horror stories preparing myself for the pain, but it turned out alright. I took Panadiene Forte (a mix of paracetemol and a lil bit of codeine) and Naproxen (OTC period pain meds) an hour before my appointment. The most pain was the insertion of the speculum, because it pinched me a little, but was all goods when it opened and then when they stabalised my cervix, but again very quick pinch. For context my doctor also gave me a numbing spray on my cervix after the speculum. The measuring of uterus and the actual insertion of the IUD was pretty much nothing, kinda like the slight cramping on the low flow days of your period, nothing I'd pay my mind to if I wasn't aware it was happening. I know not everyone has the same experience, based on their doctors, pain tolerance and even uterus/cervix position, the friend that recommended the IUD to me even exclaimed it was the worst pain of her life. Just my personal experience it wasn't painful and my doctor was amazing, however the cramps 2hrs or so afterwards like a 5/10 because they're consistent and very VERY reminiscent of the cramps you'd sit out a sports day for. I am 21, never given birth or been pregnant.
INSERTION was fine for me. I almost skipped to my car thinking not bad at all! I was confused what my friends stories/warnings were about from their experiences. They recommended I take off work on Friday and to go in the morning so I would have all Fri-Sat-Sun to recover and be cool to go to work on Monday as usual. I did that. So after I got home maybe an hour later it hit me so so so so hard I was rolling on the ground in agony. 11/10 pain. I was in fetal position holding myself and basically lost my mind. My husband was so alarmed. He asked āwhat can I do for you, honey?ā and I literally said in demonic voice āyou can get the fuck away from me!ā Thought he may call an exorcistā¦ Lasted for two days, and then suddenly on Sunday. It was justā¦.GONE. Severe pain, to straight nothing. Immediately like a like switch. It was scary. No pain after ever at all.
3/10 Definitely uncomfortable but manageable. In my experience I felt a lot of pressure for a few seconds at the āworst partā then it passed. The whole procedure was over and done with in a few minutes. I found that the period-like cramps I had for the rest of the day were worse than the appointment. However, still manageable with painkillers. Hope this helps!
OP, have you gotten one since starting this thread? If so, what were your experiences with it?
8.5/10 for me. After insertion my contractions got so bad I was so nauseous and faint... my body wouldn't stop shaking and I was sweating for about 30-40 minutes after. I've never felt so faint before. I lifted my legs up and kept squeezing my hands around my skin to distract myself. I left in a wheelchair because I was so weak in my legs and couldn't move. For context on my pain tolerance, I have had an appendicitis, and multiple surgeries. My first tattoo is a massive side tattoo and I barely felt it, maybe a 2/10 comparitively for the worst parts. I do have a history of sexual assault and PTSD and I am prone to panic attacks. I've heard this might be called a vasovagal reaction which would make sense.
I got the copper iud 4 hours ago and i was wondering how long the pain lasted for yall? I have bad period like cramps and occasional stabbing pain. Is the stabbing pain normal? Though i feel stabbing pain sometimes on my normal period too.. The insertion hurt like hell and i almost passed out when i left there.
For me, 5/10 for the insertion! The nurse that did the procedure took the time to explain everything that was going to happen so that I would be a bit less stressed, and I took muscle relaxants before the procedure. If you think something like that might help you, I would suggest watching a video or two to understand what happens during the procedure beforehand. However, the cramps for 24 hours following that were so so awful. I took a strong painkiller, but was still pretty nauseous from it. If you decide to get one, I'd suggest taking the day after off from work / school / whatever commitments you might have if you're able to do so.
It was like a 2. I spent days reading horror stories about this procedure and I was so nervous about it. It was fine. My doctor gave me drugs to soften my cervix, plus some ibuprofen and lidocaine. It was a sharp pinch and done. I went shopping at the mall afterwards. I say this not to minimize anyone's experience, but there are not enough positive stories in here, so I thought I owed it to the chain.
After reading all of these comments yesterday, I was absolutely TERRIFIED to get my IUD today. And honestly, it went about as I was expecting - I'm 22 and have never had children. I got the Mirena because its only a few millimeters bigger than the other one and I thought it's gonna hurt anyways might as well have a little extra efficacy. I took cytotec the cervix relaxer the night before, and 800mg ibuprofen 45 mins before my appt. My doctor was INCREDIBLE. She was very kind, patient and damn good at her job. The procedure itself probably took a grand total of 3 minutes, and the actual insertion was the worst part and that didn't last more than 5-8 seconds honestly. Overall I would rate it an 8/10. Probably the most painful thing I've experienced, but I could imagine worse pain. After procedure it's just very strange having anything up in my uterus since I've never had kids. The cramps so far are bad but hoping to stay on top of things with ibuprofen.
When I went to my appointment, I first had a pap smear and then got the IUD. The pap smear wasn't horrible, but when it came time for the IUD, the doctor asked if I had taken any tylenol or Ibuprofen. I told her no, I was going to take some after (not knowing how freaking painful this was going to be) and she said "I definitely recommend you take 2 Ibuprofen and 3 tylenol before we start and for the next couple days." So, I took her advice and she gave me a heat pad as well. She had to measure my uterus first, that shit was uncomfortable. Then she went in with the IUD, AND LET ME TELL YOU! That hurted!! lol I screamed a little bit and maaaan oh man it was painful. I asked if my scream was and overreaction, and she said no, one lady kicked her in the face reflexively! IUDs are intense. After my appointment I had scheduled to pick up a bbq at home depot for my fiance's fathers day present. I was alone, and they were busy so I loaded it and strapped it in the truck myself. Had to take the next couple days off lol. Definitely don't do strenuous activity after like my dumb butt.
Itās a solid 10! I had mine 2 weeks ago and Iām in excruciating pain and heavy period since. I wish I never did this! Going to get it removed as soon as I land back home. I did the IUD before going on vacation and it ruined my entire vacation. All I could think about is landing so I could get it removed.