Your Anesthesia Options for IUD Placement

If you’re considering an IUD as your preferred method of birth control, you may be wondering: “Do I need anesthesia for the IUD insertion procedure?” At MAIA Gynecology, our experienced female gynecologists in Downers Grove, serving Chicago and the surrounding areas of Illinois, are dedicated to providing you with clear information and compassionate care. Here’s what you need to know about pain management options for an IUD insertion.

Is Anesthesia Used During IUD Insertion?

IUD insertion is a quick, in-office procedure, but it can cause discomfort or pain for some patients. Traditionally, many clinics did not routinely offer anesthesia for IUD placement.  That’s because this was most often done for women who had already given birth. Often, when IUDs are placed at the postpartum visit (just after having a baby), this procedure is not painful at all. However, now that more and more younger patients who have not given birth yet are choosing IUDs, we offer more options for pain management since these patients are more likely to experience discomfort during this procedure.

How Painful Is IUD Insertion?

Pain during IUD insertion varies from person to person. The sensation may feel like strong menstrual cramps, and the discomfort usually lasts only a few minutes.

Factors that affect pain levels include whether you’ve given birth vaginally, your individual pain tolerance, and your level of anxiety. Our team at MAIA Gynecology takes time to listen to your concerns and will discuss pain management options tailored to your needs.

How Can Pain Be Managed?

• Choose the right IUD for you:  A smaller IUD, such as the Kyleena or Skyla, is much easier to place in women who have not given birth yet. Choosing a larger IUD, such as Mirena or Liletta or Paragard, is more difficult to place and often involves cervical dilation to place, which can be painful. The smaller IUDs do not usually need that.
• Timing of Placement: Whenever possible, we try to place the IUD at the end of your period. Your cervix is naturally softer and slightly open at this time, which makes placement easier. You will also have less bleeding after IUD placement since you just had your period.
• Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: We recommend taking 600mg of ibuprofen before your appointment to help minimize cramping and discomfort.
• Local Anesthesia: We routinely apply some lidocaine spray to the cervix prior to placement. This has been shown to significantly reduce pain during IUD placement.
• Oral Sedation: We offer oral Valium to all of our patients prior to IUD placement.  This helps significantly with any anxiety about the procedure and helps relax your body for placement. You are required to have someone drive you to and from the appointment if you opt for this.
• IV sedation:   We also offer IV sedation to patients who want to avoid any pain or discomfort at all. At MAIA Gynecology, we have a dedicated procedure day once a month, and our amazing Board-Certified CRNA is available to give IV sedation in a safe environment. Don’t let any anxiety over getting an IUD prevent you from getting the safe and effective birth control and help with your periods that you deserve!
• Experienced and Supportive Care: Having a trusted and very experienced doctor, like our female gynecologists in Downers Grove, ensures you receive compassionate, patient-centered care throughout your visit.

Why Choose MAIA Gynecology in Downers Grove, Illinois?

At MAIA Gynecology, our board-certified female gynecologists are committed to holistic, evidence-based care. We stay up to date with the latest guidelines and offer multiple anesthesia options for IUD insertion to ensure your comfort.  

IUDs are a great method for birth control, and we use them often to help with heavy and painful periods as well. We want every woman who wants an IUD to know she can have that placed without fear, pain or anxiety.

Both Dr. Wolowick and Dr. Mitchell have each personally placed more than a thousand IUDs over the past 20 years. This is what we do.

Schedule a Consult for an IUD

We are more than happy to discuss all the IUD options and how they compare to other methods of birth control.  We always review all options for pain management for your procedure.  After you decide which IUD option is best for you, then we order it to make sure that your insurance covers the cost.  IUDs are usually 100% covered by your insurance, but it is best to make sure that they do before we place it.  We then get you scheduled for an IUD insertion at the optimal time for you and with the pain management options you desire. 

Our expert female gynecologists at MAIA Gynecology are here to help. Contact our Downers Grove office today to schedule your consultation and experience compassionate, patient-centered care near Chicago, Illinois.