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How much pain is too much? Expectations of pain during intrauterine device insertion among Australian women: findings from an online survey

Coombe, J.; Goller, J. L.; Bittleston, H.; Felix-Faure, C.; Williams, H.; Caddy, C.

2026-05-25 sexual and reproductive health
10.64898/2026.05.21.26353829 medRxiv
Show abstract

There are several barriers to uptake of intrauterine devices (IUDs), with the fear of pain during insertion an emerging concern. Using data from an online survey, we sought to understand the experience of women who had undergone IUD insertion, with a particular focus on their expectation compared with their reported experience of pain. We found that, while most participants expected a moderate level of pain at insertion, many reported a high level of pain. Pain relief offered was variable, and, aside from that administered by an anaesthetist, no single method appeared to significantly reduce reported pain.

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