IUD Insertion
Having an IUD inserted can be painful. You can have it done any time in your cycle, but sometimes women schedule it for the middle of their cycle when their cervix is already dilated.
Some clinicians recommend that you take some over-the-counter painkillers before IUD insertion to help deal with the cramping.
Just like during a pap smear, the doctor will use a speculum to hold the vagina open. Then, the doctor will use a tenaculum to steady the uterus. The doctor might measure the length of your cervix.
The familiar T-shape of an IUD is altered in insertion. The top “arms” of the T are bent close to the shaft, and then inserted through the cervix into the uterus, where it opens up.
The doctor will then cut the string attached to the IUD to between an inch and two inches. The string will be able to be felt if you reach inside your vagina, but it will not be visible.
Some women feel dizzy when they have an IUD inserted; rarely a woman might faint. Women often feel cramps. These cramps lessen with time, and after the first few months often disappear. Generally women simply feel a mild discomfort that can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication.
If you are getting an IUD inserted, bring someone to give you a ride home, and plan to spend the day involved in low-key activities at home. This is a major change for you body, and you need to give it time to register and react to this change.
When it comes time to have your IUD removed, this is a fairly simple job that will be done by a doctor as well. Make sure to have your IUD removed by a professional.
