Let’s Talk About IUD Insertion
I’ve been having interesting conversations with my friends about their experience with IUD’s and since my phone always listens to me, my various algorithms have starting showing me some alarming videos about this method of contraception. I would say, overall, the feedback appears to be positive as far as the effectiveness of these contraceptive contraptions, but the the process required to insert them is what sparked the idea of this blog.
When I think about those interactions with my friends, we would awkwardly laugh with each other when we discussed how painful it was to have them put in and the various side effects we were experiencing as a result. So, I did some digging and I’m here to share some of the information I found with you —
I want to quickly mention that I am not a doctor, I am a law student. The information that I am using is based on personal conversations and other seemingly credible internet resources and I hope this will spark further conversation or at the very least, help you with.
I recognize that the human body is so unique and the experiences of one will almost never be the same for another. With that being said, I am not claiming to have the answers, but I do want to talk! So let me know if any of this info ignites any thoughts for you and reach out to me here!
Why I got an IUD
I got an IUD because I needed some sort contraception in my life. I am currently celibate, but that was not the case for 2020 me. I was basically living with my situationship+ lil boo in quarantine, in Australia, where we had no one but each other for over 6 months straight. I am using the + because it was definitely more serious than you may think, but there were also too many red flags for me to commit to dating or marrying this man. Anyways…
There were definitely moments where we wanted nothing to do with each other, but ultimately, I’m so thankful for it because Australia’s lockdown wasn’t like the United States or UK. Like Australia had us thinking twice before we even took a walk.
There was no in-person socializing, no travel, you couldn’t even drive across territory boarders to visit your Mom if you wanted to. However, these extreme measures were effective because Australia’s Covid numbers remained shockingly low for that first year. It was just clear to me that no one had been quarantined as hard as I was when I spoke to my friends and family back home in the States. Which wasn’t the worst. I was fortunate to have a large enough apartment where he could go to his own room if we were fighting or needed space and I had a really lovely patio and garden bed that I enjoyed tending to, so it was as ideal as quarantine could have been. I will talk about this whole situation more in another blog/podcast though.
So yeah, this is why I got an IUD. I needed something so I wasn’t irresponsibly taking major risks with this man I knew I wasn’t 100% down for at the time. I chose an IUD because I knew it was a one and done situation. I wouldn’t have to remember a pill same time every single day which I was never good at, and I had acquaintances who got the depo shot and they seemed to be dealing with quite a few side effects.
Also, I had friends who had IUD’s and they were;
- still alive
- not having periods or cramps at all
- not pregnant and,
- chilling hard — for 5 years birth control wasn’t something they worried about
Although my friends had gotten theirs inserted in the US, I wasn’t too worried about getting mine in Australia because the brands were all the same.
How I prepped for my IUD
Honestly, I didn’t do a ton to prep. I had heard testimonies on Youtube and through my friends that the insertion was going to be painful. I wasn’t worried really, but I was not expecting it to be half as bad as it was. I took a few Tylenol before the appointment which was advised by my doctor and I didn’t eat a full meal or anything before the appointment because that just didn’t feel smart.
The Insertion Process
On the day of my appointment I was driven to the office and since I was told it would be 30 minutes check-in/check-out I told them to just wait outside for me.
Side note — in Australia there is no waiting 15–20 or however many minutes for your doctor to bring you back. As soon as you’re there the doctor is ready for you. This has consistently been my experience at least. Another interesting point is that a General Practitioner who does just about everything inserted my IUD. As a GP, this lady was a dermatologist, nutritionist, OB/GYN, like it seemed like there was nothing she didn’t do. They also didn’t give me a paper gown like I always get in the States. Since they are extremely environmentally conscious, I was given a durable cloth one that I pray they wash after every use. I’m sure they do.
So I got undressed and put on the gown and we got straight to it.
She explained how I should breathe and asked that I relax as much as possible so she could start opening up my cervix with the speculum.
I was just so not ready for the pain that was coming my way.
The doctor was clearly having unexpected difficulty while trying to insert it and she told me that my body seemed to be rejecting it because it wouldn’t to stay in. She said that she was going to have to gradually open me up so that the walls of my cervix would relax and allow the IUD to be properly placed in me. This may sound like a smooth process, but I promise you, it was not.
She was basically very slowly widening the speculum and every time she widened that thing, my body would hit me with ridiculous cramping. This happened for quite a while and the doctor honestly had a concerned look on her face. I wanted to just tell her never mind, but I often struggle to speak up. We’re working on it.
After Insertion
We eventually got it in and from the moment it was in there I knew I didn’t like it.
Once she finished, she told me I could go ahead and get dressed but that really didn’t feel like an option at that moment. It actually took my body a few minutes to settle before I felt like I could move again.
“What was I thinking putting this foreign object into my body?” I thought. I couldn’t see it and after that whole ordeal, I hardly trusted that it was properly inserted. Like, what if it was in there just tearing my insides up?!
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Before I left, my doctor told me to keep an out out for the IUD in the toilet because they do come out sometimes in those first few days and she also warned me to wait a few days before having sex. She also advised that I stop by the pharmacy next door to get a specific pain medication and so, me and my new T-shaped device waddled out the door. But then, the office admin lady reminded me that I sill needed to pay. Oops.
With my international insurance, I was able to file a claim for the procedure, but I paid $300AUD (around $206 USD) for my Mirena IUD, and went on my way. I felt so uncomfortable as I waddled out, I was feeling generally drained from that whole experience, and cringed at the thought of peeing whenever the time came.
I remembered looking around for the pills she told me to grab and not having the patience or energy to really search for it, so I asked a pharmacist for help. During our conversation, I ended up passing out in the middle of the aisle. Full disclaimer: passing out isn’t unheard of for me, it happens if I find myself a little overheated, but it’s definitely not like a normal occurrence or anything.
But anyways, I was so embarrassed, they had me sit up against the closest wall on the floor and brought me ice packs and water until I got my strength back. I guess the best place to pass out would be in a place like the pharmacy lol (also in Australia — pharmacies are called ‘Chemists’ and they are not like CVS where you can get snacks, paper towels, and beach balls. they are strictly places to get medications and like ointments, or maybeee a toothbrush.)
All I know is, between the torture I went through at the doctors office and this incident, far more than 30 minutes had passed, and I felt bad for the person in the parking lot waiting for me.
When I finally left, we drove home and I felt miserable and just wanted to rest. I didn’t have much of an appetite or even the strength to do anything that day, but this low energy mood didn’t last long.
Side Effects
I had spotting on and off for like 3 months afterwards.
I also never got comfortable with the idea of the IUD being inside of me. I went to the doctors to get it removed once, but she told me to give it more time. It definitely got bearable, but I would never say it felt like nothing was there.
Sex wasn’t ever great with it either. It always felt like we were treading lightly with it.
Every time I peed I was on edge for the first few weeks, I remember having my face all up in the toilet to see if it had slid out.
After the 3 months of spotting, I didn’t ever experience a period while I had it, but this is not at all the case for everyone. There would be some cramping similar to period cramps every now and then, but it wasn’t monthly, so that was always an unpleasant surprise :)
Removal
So after a little over 2 years I decided to get it removed. As I mentioned, I am celibate and at this moment, I just want my body to naturally go through its cycle. Having a period can be inconvenient but thankfully, mine has never felt unbearable so the lack of a period was not worth keeping it in to me.
When I went to get it removed, the doctor gave me a really hard time which was actually so annoying. She was literally complaining about how she didn’t want to have to put it back in if I changed my mind, then she starting bringing up American abortion law reform, and basically just not at all respecting my wishes.
I almost awkwardly let her win because she had gotten quite adamant about me not proceeding with the removal. Eventually, after some debate, I still knew I really wanted that thing out and told her I wasn’t changing my mind.
The removal was smooth, she took it out, then my body cramped for a few seconds, and that was that. She showed me the IUD and it wasn’t really bloody or anything. I actually wanted to keep it, but just kept that to myself.
I felt soo light and generally free once it was out. Less than 2 months later I had my first period in 2+ years and I had forgotten how annoying it was to deal with but I still have no regrets. The first period was pretty intense, heavy, crampy, but the following month it had significantly subsided.
Others Experiences
I would say most of my friends have IUD’s and this propelled me to get one as well. Two of my friends had theirs for the full recommended 5-years and then proceeded to get another. They both really dreaded the insertion process in the days leading up to it because they knew what to expect, but I also never heard them consider not doing it LOL
One friend opted for a form of anesthesia to go with her insertion, and she said it was a game changer. I know this was probably very expensive and not all doctors offer this, but it may be worth asking about before getting one if you or a loved one is considering an IUD.
One friend told me that insertion the second time was even more painful than the first time. All she wanted to do was go home afterwards, but she had regretfully scheduled other appointments that day and had to just thug it out.
She ended living, and decided to TikTok the experience. Check it out here.
I also enjoy listening to the “Dead Ass” Podcast with Devale & Khadeen Ellis, and hearing them discuss their experience with the IUD as a couple was really eye opening. Since she had a partner who knew her well, he was able to identify the ways the IUD had affected various aspects of her life. She eventually took it out and they said it was “like night and day” for her mood and overall sex drive. She felt like the IUD was definitely either physically or subconsciously impacting her lifestyle.
The Inspiration
Well first, this is meant to be informative through accounts of real life, unsponsored experiences from various women (mostly me). Of course, everyones journey’s are different, but one thing I have consistently heard is that the pain of insertion is significantly downplayed by our doctors and I have not heard anyone say that it wasn’t as bad as they thought.
There is research backing anesthesia as my friend requested, however, there are some doctors who claim that there is a reason why we don’t use any type of pain relief. I guess we could argue that this is building up our pain tolerances for birth one day lolll but that’s really all I got to justify that pain.
I’ve decided to give my body the freedom to do what it naturally wants to do and I feel really good about that decision. I can tell my hormones are still regulating because I have been experiencing unexpected cheek acne and a few other minor symptoms, but other than that all is well.
If you have any questions, or if there’s anything you would like me to ask my friends, I’m happy to do so. Also if you want to just compare stories or anything, let’s talk!
Stay safe out there! I love you ❤
Check out the Let’s Get Inspired Podcast and feel free to contact me @ alex@letsgetinspired.net and use this link to listen in.
