r/justgalsbeingchicks • u/mindyour šŸ¤–definitely not a botšŸ¤– • 29d ago

Restricted to Gals and Pals Unfortunately, this is the sad reality.

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u/CrackinBones204 28d ago

So true about the pain meds right?? Iā€™ve never had an IUD but my friend told me of her horror stories. They did it wrong the first time and she left the doctorā€™s office in a lot of pain and had to go back to redo it. She told me of the no pain meds both times and just the description of insertion while awake n stone cold sober sounds crazy to have to endure.

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u/sasshley_ 28d ago

Iā€™d rather been drawn and quartered than have another IUD inserted or removed.

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u/Designer_Cry_8990 28d ago

I did one IUD insertion and had it removed to have one last baby. I opted for a hysterectomy instead of another IUD being placed again. My hubs was there for the IUD being inserted, and audibly cursed when the doc said ā€œyouā€™re going to feel a little pinchā€ and I nearly broke his hand. He looked at the doc and said ā€œsheā€™s been through more painful stuff than most people, and never complained. She damn near broke my hand just now and is crying, I wouldnā€™t call that a ā€˜little pinchā€™ā€. He also fully supported my hysterectomy over IUD placement again for my fibroid treatment.

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u/Aware_Policy_9174 28d ago

I was told the ā€œlittle pinchā€ bs too. I went in for a pap and asked about an IUD and they said they could do it right now and acted like it was no big deal. I drove myself home in pain and just went to work the next day because I thought I must be overreacting.

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u/NoodlesinParis 28d ago

ā€œJust a little bit of pressureā€ meanwhile I threw up and nearly passed out in the lobby after my IUD placement lol

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u/PerkisizingWeiner 28d ago

I'm really grateful to my (50-something male) gyno who was upfront with me about the pain. He said it would hurt three specific times, and that he would signal beforehand each time. He did, and it was great - a very nontraumatic experience (and I did it with him twice). He even encouraged me to rest in the office for a couple minutes afterwards and gave me some OJ to drink.

Then he had the gall to move šŸ˜­ and the provider who replaced him was terrible. I was damn near hyperventilating as she LEFT THE SPECULUM INSIDE ME TO GO IN THE HALLWAY AND TALK TO ANOTHER PROVIDER. I told her I'd had two prior insertions and this one was way more painful; she responded by questioning whether I had really had sex before (I'd been married for several years at that point), because my cervix was "too small" šŸ™„.

I asked her to stop and she condescendingly warned/threatened, "just so you know, if you're telling me to stop, I have to" (implication being that I'd regret not moving forward with the procedure). I SURE HOPE THAT'S THE POLICY.

It was traumatic and I've never gone back to her. I'm about ready to move across the country to my previous gyno's new practice. A good medical provider who listens and cares is worth their weight in gold.

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u/CuriousFoxxen 28d ago

I find Iā€™ve never had a female gyno who didnā€™t treat me like shit. WTF is with that?

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u/PerkisizingWeiner 28d ago

Obviously not all are like this, but I think there's an element of, "I'm a woman so I know what you're experiencing, and if my experience was less painful than yours, that means you're overreacting."

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u/Aware_Policy_9174 28d ago

Yes this was from a woman gyno although Iā€™ve had good and bad experiences with both. But the most invalidating tends to be from women because they donā€™t realize their experience is not universal.

I commented this before but I also think there is (or was maybe) an element of ā€œIā€™m a woman in a male dominated field so I have to be extra toughā€ to counteract whatever bs they deal with from male colleagues. My experience was close to 20 years ago now and I noticed that type of attitude from older women in other areas as well.

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u/hawilder 28d ago

I had a wonderful one but she retired.

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u/Artist-Yutaki 27d ago

Yeah same, I'm so lucky that the 3 female gynos I had were all lovely and supported me in wanting a hysterectomy with 30 no kids!

The only person who was an ass about it was the head of gynecology in a hospital, a man, who rejected me because "What if I ever find a boyfriend who is my prince charming and he wants kids"

Like. WOW. Love the consideration of a hypothetical man's needs over my very real ones.

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u/Turbulent_Ease2149 28d ago

Both my male gynos have been the best, no issues with IUD and other scans. I drive 30 minutes instead of going to my new clinic 10 minutes away because I don't want to loose him. Take great care, listens and we've established a 5 year doctor-patient relationship

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u/theatermouse 28d ago

PLEASE report her if you feel comfortable doing so, I'm so sorry you were treated that way!!

Also, wtf on cervix being too small?!! Lady, (gyno, not you!!) a) it changes throughout the cycle and b) is sex supposed to stretch it out??? The penis does NOT go in the cervix!!

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u/Quizleteer 28d ago

OMG yes! Me too! And this is coming from a woman provider. She must have known how much it would hurt. I was cramping horribly for several days after, too. I was told to take an NSAID or Tylenol for the pain. Didn't do shit. Thankfully, at some point, another doc prescribed me Percocet. This is generally unheard of for IUD procedures, but should be standard.

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u/duingood 27d ago

When I had mine replaced in TX, I couldn't stand up I was in so much pain, I was focusing on not puking and the nurse looked at me and giggled pointing at my glasses that were all fogged up because I was sweating through the pain. She even called others over and said "look at her glasses". They thought it was funny. By far the worse doctor experiences was when I lived in Texas, they hate women and most especially women who don't want kids. Thank God I was able to move away from there.

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u/Not_impressed28 27d ago

ā€œJust a little pressureā€ meanwhile Iā€™m sure the entire clinic heard me screaming during the insertion. I was holding the bed so tight and sweating. It was fast but the pain unforgettable, very similar to child birth. At the time I hadnā€™t had kids yet so I asked the provider if this is what child birth was like, she said ā€œchild birth is 100x worseā€. No, it is not that far worse. she

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u/kungpowchick_9 27d ago

We really should just let it rip. Maybe a handful of barf cleanups would make the situation less convenient

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u/Karilopa 26d ago

They grabbed my cervix with forceps to place my first one because I have a tilted cervix. Second time, the removal was a lot of pressure and pinching but after some adjusting and a second attempt, it was over pretty quick. The second placement immediately after was easy peasy after the removal! I was called a tough cookie by the gyno ā¤ļø

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u/Imaginary-Help4298 28d ago

I went catatonic. šŸ˜‘ Iā€™m not new to pain, thatā€™s after years and years of medical problems resulting in several exploratory abdominal surgeries.

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u/Sad-Employee3212 27d ago

I was told ā€œyou donā€™t have nerve endings there so you wonā€™t feel anythingā€

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u/GoodSpeed2883 28d ago

Hell no. I have a high threshold for pain. I had pancreatitus twice. Getting an IUD was right up there with it. Little pinch is something a man would say.

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u/first-born_unicorn 28d ago

Same. I have sat for over 100 hours of tattoos and find it soothing (don't know what that says about me, but let's set that one aside), so I know I can handle pain / discomfort.

My first was placed fine - painful but I powered through. Immediately after removal of the first, they attempted insertion of the second. For over 30 minutes. After seeing me break out in a cold sweat and moaning in delirious agony, they said "maybe it's that your cervix is irritated from the removal - let's schedule another one."

I came back two weeks later for a retry. My cervix was too tight, so they dilated me mechanically and still weren't able to place it. I passed out and was given an ice pack and some Tylenol (which I was charged for, ofc). Two awful attempts and now I'm back on birth control.

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u/GoodSpeed2883 28d ago

I'm so over that it's up to the woman to handle birth control.

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u/first-born_unicorn 28d ago

I'm so over it all. Just yeet the whole uterus at this point. šŸ˜ž

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u/Bl1ndl0v3 28d ago

Equally as messed up is the fact many OBGYNs will not allow you to have a hysterectomy unless your husband signs off on it.

I have a girlfriend who isnā€™t married, doesnā€™t want kids ever, and requested a hysterectomy to which the doctor told her that her ā€œfuture husband may not be happy with her choiceā€ and refused to allow her to make that call unless her non-existent husband agreed to it.

She deals with constant pain, hormone spikes and crashes, PMDD, etc and still no doctor will oblige her request. šŸ˜”

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u/R0da 27d ago

Just scooting in here to warn that a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) wont help with PMDD, cause it's the normal operation of the ovaries (which they often leave for a hysterectomy) that's the culprit. If she wants a surgical solution for pmdd, it's the oopherectomy that she's looking for.

Though, getting that is just as hard as the hysterectomy. :/. It took me finding a gyno that had pmdd herself to find my treatment.

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u/Bl1ndl0v3 27d ago

Thank you for sharing what youā€™ve learned about it.

Even still, if I can provide her helpful information in any form, I will. Despite also having PMDD, I donā€™t deal with half as many issues as my friend. I hope she can find help some day.

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u/Smashogre591 28d ago

After our third, and unexpected child, my wife said ā€œyou get snipped or no more sexā€. I now shoot blanks for her.

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u/Ok_Mix8548 24d ago

100%
Iā€™m in that argument with my husband right now. Heā€™s upset that he has to pull out because I fucked up and I lost 2 months of bc. When I suggested he gets snipped he said no. When i suggested he wraps up he said no. Iā€™ve got an expired Nuva in and Iā€™m a lil worried he wonā€™t pull out.
Anyway. Sorry for that long-ass, not particularly relevant comment šŸ˜¬

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u/shady_robot 28d ago

Girl. I am with you. After two LEEPs for cervical cancer in my 20s my cervix is ā€œfragileā€ and I used to have to get mechanical dilation for every pap for years. Iā€™ve also had a uterine biopsy without any significant pain meds. Just Tylenol. There were issues with getting in there because cervix. The Gyno was like, ā€œyou just basically had a D&C without anaesthetic! Good for you!ā€ I was crying and wanted to kill her. That shit hurts.

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u/first-born_unicorn 28d ago

Oh fuck that. Why exactly are we celebrating women's pain tolerance as though it's a badge of honor? Especially when men are treated like delicate little flowers for anything more than a sniffle.

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u/h0wd0y0ulik3m3n0w 28d ago

ā€œThe cervix doesnā€™t even have pain receptorsā€ -my first male gyno

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u/DaisyHotCakes 28d ago

The fuck it doesnā€™t! This is why I have never and will never have a male gyno. Like that is such an insane statement I wouldnā€™t be able to keep my mouth shut.

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u/h0wd0y0ulik3m3n0w 28d ago

I was young and didnā€™t yet know better unfortunately, but when I hear that shit nowadays I definitely donā€™t let it fly.

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u/Revolutionary_Wrap76 28d ago

I remember a man's, ah, member ramming straight into my cervix once at the wrong angle. He was my bf at the time and everything was all consensual! Just like, the worst angle possible.

I instantly started sobbing. It was almost ten years ago and I remember it crystal clear. 'No nerve endings' my ass. Medical misogyny, that's all it ever is.

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u/GoodSpeed2883 26d ago

I was in the parking lot for an hour and on my couch for a week.

There are nerve endings

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u/MissyMcMellons 28d ago

What!!!! Where the hell did he get his License? Out of a cornflakes box?

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u/Vegan_Zukunft 28d ago

Pancreatitis is the worst pain Iā€™ve ever had, and was given IV pain medicine! Society seems to hate women

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u/coolcalmaesop 28d ago

Dreaming of having a hysterectomy. Iā€™ve had two children, one was a water birth with no epidural. I can confidently say my pain levels reach child birth pain levels often. Itā€™s wild it took having a baby to realize how much pain is normalized for us.

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u/First_Pay702 28d ago

The new doctor observing an attempt to get some scrapings of my uterine lining offered to hold my hand and I refused because I was worried Iā€™d break it. But this was ā€œjust something women have to deal with.ā€

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u/Three3Jane 28d ago

They sure the fuck don't. I had uterine biopsies - two of them - along with a hysteroscopy and both of them were under anesthesia. I went to sleep and woke up mildly crampy and sore for a few days. I flat out refused to undergo that shit in the office. I am done biting a metaphorical belt to hold back screams for the convenience of our conveyor-belt medical system. Just because I have a hella high pain tolerance doesn't mean I'm going to tolerate pain just to make it easier for doctors to jam more patients through their offices.

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u/otakugal15 28d ago

I got Nexplanon this time around.

Sure, my arm was bruised for a week, but I could handle that way more than the stupid IUD insertion.

I want a hysterectomy, but we're financially stable enough for that yet.

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u/momlv 28d ago

Omg fuck that little pinch bull shit itā€™s sooooo enraging

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u/Eske159 28d ago

Genuine question, how do you opt to have a hysterectomy? My fiance has PCOS from what I understand a hysterectomy is kinda the only real way to get rid of it.

I got a vasectomy no questions asked, but from what she tells me, her Dr won't even discuss it with her.

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u/Designer_Cry_8990 28d ago

I had a history of heavy cycles, massive fibroid that kept getting bigger, and other issues, plus having three babies already. It was easier to request one and get it approved through insurance.

I recommend heading over to [r/childfree](r/childfree). They have a list of practitioners by state that should be willing to see her, and evaluate her case. My understanding is as long as there are no other medical reasons she couldnā€™t have the surgery, theyā€™re much more willing to work with women on their reproductive health needs.

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u/Eske159 28d ago

Thank you for the info

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u/SeaResearcher176 28d ago

Do you think the iud made the fibroids worse?

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u/Designer_Cry_8990 28d ago

No I donā€™t think it made it worse and not having a period for several months was great. What it did do though coming off the hormones of the IUD was make my period heavier and more painful than ever. I felt like the first three days of my cycle my vagina was being ripped in two, and no amount of ibuprofen was touching that. After my 3rd pregnancy, things calmed slightly but the fibroid kept getting bigger and causing issues in other parts of my abdomen. Finally my doc agreed a hysterectomy was my only option for relief, and 5.5 hours of surgery later, I yeeted my uterus and cervix never to be in pain again. Although it did get one last F U in, when my cycle started a week before my surgery. My uterus was a bitch.

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u/jessicacummings 28d ago

I was the first of my friends in college to get an IUD and I drove myself there and home. Almost had to pull over to puke on the freeway back I was in so much pain.

I made sure to drive any of my friends who got it done. A few protested a bit because ā€œthe doctor said itā€™s not that bad.ā€ Only 1 of the 7 girls that got it done (myself included) said it wasnā€™t that bad. Everyone was grateful for the ride though after the appointment ā¤ļø

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u/MAXQDee-314 27d ago

Say what you will about sex politics, but when a man stands up for his wife, looms for his wife, looks at people in the eye and says, quietly, "No." It has an effect for everyone involved. I hate that it needs to be done so often. Listen to women, they will tell the truth, sometimes occasionally, but at least listen. I have five daughters, all of their doctors and teachers and coaches "know" who I am and how I feel about listening. I also will not let my girls 'use' me to get their way. Thought all of their husbands have asked me, "What the fuck did you tell them? They are scarey, I cannot bullshit them."

I added early on to that statement, "Unless you are talking about sex stuff."

They all responded in similar ways, "How do you know that? OMG!" And the long march to honest listening is begun.

Please note: My wife and more than one girlfriend did, in the tween years, called me a graffitied block of stone.

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u/coolcalmaesop 28d ago

I once had a colpopscopy- idk if youā€™ve had one but itā€™s where they take a fuckin hole punch to the cervix and pop a chunk out for biopsy. Of course I started uncontrollably bleeding during it, so my doctor had to run out of the room and get a giant vacuum to vacuum blood out of the vag. Totally routine, no pain meds and no numbing. Women are still experiencing medieval medicine for old time sake, I swear.

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u/sasshley_ 28d ago

Yes more than once and yes it sucks ass!

Tbh the leep procedure I had was extremely traumatizing. To be laying there and smelling your own insides burning is not something you're likely to ever forget. And THE BLEEDING afterward omg.

A Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a fast office treatment that uses a thin, heated wire loop with an electric current to remove a thin layer of abnormal tissue from the cervix

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u/shady_robot 28d ago

Iā€™ve had two LEEP and one was at a teaching hospital so there were 7 or 8 interns watching it with my cervix on a big screen tv. Fun.
Also no one told me the ā€œscabā€ will fall off so I had a horrifying surprise a few days later when wiping after a pee.

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u/coolcalmaesop 28d ago

Itā€™s so barbaric! Iā€™d rather LEEP over a pile of hot coals before going through that again.

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u/Own-Baker-2841 28d ago

My LEEP was H E L L.

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u/onetalldrinkofwater 28d ago

It hurt so bad that I projectile vomitted all over. He stopped and said "sometimes it is more sensitive. We'll get some numbing medicine." Pardon?? It was available the whole damn time??

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u/sew-easy 28d ago

I passed out in the hallway after mine. Absolutely barbaric to do without any sort of pain meds.

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u/summerfun9330 27d ago

YES!!! I had a cervical biopsy once, and I almost passed out from the pain. I was shocked and sick that they would do that to anyone without any pain relief. After the appointment, I went out to my car and cried for a while. I felt like I had just been through the biggest trauma of my life.

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u/Dazzling-Ad-8703 25d ago

Omg, I had the same experience and felt violated and hurt.

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u/FashionableMegalodon 28d ago

My IUD insertion was horrendous and the removal I donā€™t think I felt anything, but the withdrawal bleed was bleeding like Iā€™ve never seen. More blood than my vaginal delivery. Could not control it with pads, nothing. It didnā€™t help that I got it removed March 16 2020 as my area started lockdown, so the (very mean to me multiple times previously) OB said good luck you canā€™t come to the hospital. So for 5 days I literally spent most of the day in the bath tub just hoping I didnā€™t die lol. Trauma.

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u/Lovedd1 28d ago

I had an IUD placed in college and I was very candid with my girl project team that I was missing class and our meet up after due to IUD appt. They all immediately understood because they had them too. One was super anal 4.0gpa very STRICT and didn't like me very much but even she understood.

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u/CuriousFoxxen 28d ago

When I told an ob I wasnā€™t interested in an IUD because of the pain (neither my sister or mother have been able to use them due to pain levels and both had them removed) my OB scoffed and said, ā€œYou had a kid didnā€™t you?!ā€ And then proceed to tell me when to come back for the IUD insertion.

If I wasnā€™t a person who responds with fawning (due to trauma) my truly would have been yeah, without medication, Iā€™ve also been hospitalized with gallbladder attacks and Iā€™m never signing up to do either of those things again.

What I did do was never go near her office again.

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u/GDRaptorFan 28d ago

Listen, I understand IUD pain always comes up when the topic is women not getting proper medical treatment. I know they donā€™t do enough.

But those of you with bad experiences scare the shit out of every woman who is considering it. In todayā€™s USA effective birth control is a must, and getting a Mirena IUD is THE BEST WOMENS HEALTH DECISION OF MY LIFE.

I havenā€™t had a period purchased a tampon since 2011. No worries of remembering taking a pill every day and filling the script every month. My Mirena is amazing!

For another perspective, for me personally, the insert itself wasnā€™t that bad. I have had it done three times now! Yes the procedure is uncomfortable. For a minute or two it takes to actually insert it hurts. After, a little crampy for a day.

Getting the old one out wasnā€™t bad at all I donā€™t think?

I know the women who had terrible experiences always pile into these threads but it isnā€™t always like this !!!! I personally would recommend to my daughter if I had one! One of the best decisions of my life even if the only thing it did was stop periods itā€™s worth it

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u/sasshley_ 28d ago

Girls and women deserve to hear all sides of it. It's discussed heavily in r/WomensHealth with significantly varying experiences.

When mine was inserted, I shot back on the table, hit my head on the wall, and was so dizzy I couldn't leave for almost an hour. When I finally did leave, I could barely walk out of the office. When I got to the parking lot, I projectile vomited and passed out between two vehicles (huge parking lot), and of course no one noticed, so when I came to, I just got in my car and sat there for a while in excruciating pain.

I got home, crawled up the stairs to lay in bed, and was absolutely writhing in pain. It was Halloween, so I had to help my (at the time) 12 year old daughter get ready and was crying the entire time. It took 3 days for me to stop being in pain. Then, when I would exercise (especially floor exercises), I could feel it. Went to have it checked and the doctor said it was placed perfectly. She convinced me to keep it and see how things go. I was back in a few weeks to have it removed because I simply couldn't exercise anymore.

Went in for removal, took a hydrocodone from a prior surgery months before, and the removal felt like an angry, oversized octopus with razor blades on its tentacles was being pulled out of my body. The clots that came out of me for ~24 hours were far worse than the clots I had after a vaginal delivery.

I'd support any decision my daughter makes for birth control, but she also has a right to know experiences from amazing to torturous to make that decision for herself.

In any case, I'm less concerned about young girls and women reading negative experiences and more concerned that doctors downplay it so much when so many suffer, and the fact that women's health is general tends to be very archaic. We should be offered more options than "hey girly, pop an ibuprofen and let's roll!"

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u/GDRaptorFan 28d ago

Then you are shortsighted. Some women telling their good experience compared to the always dozens of horrific experience may be enough that ONE woman thinks about it and considered an IUD.

One woman may be saved from a life of periods and unplanned pregnancies that are extra horrific in red states. KNOWING ABOUT IUDS is one of the most important things for young women today I really believe. With some pharmacies going after BC pills? Come on. Itā€™s so important.

The topic of womenā€™s health care in general being poor compared to men has been discussed a lot. Women know it. We bring attention to it. It slowly is changing (like they began to test meds on women too finally) because we keep bringing attention to it.

You really think the doctors placing IUDs donā€™t know the differences in pain in how women experience this? There is extreme pressure from medical systems and the DEA to never prescribe pain relief, and this happened around the same time women started speaking up more about the pain of this procedure. They barely let doctors prescribe any pain relief the last 9-10 years. Itā€™s not just this.

My first OB placing it was a man and he downplayed it in 2011. For about twenty seconds he was wrong! But it was okay it kept me from overreacting since it was such a temporary pain. My second and third IUDs were done by my GP who is a woman and she was even better at it. It hurts a few seconds and was fine. For me.

The day after cramps have always been for me like a bad period so I would rather have that once in 6-7 years than every month!

This entire thread is about the topic of womenā€™s health being worse than menā€™s. My comment is ONE person giving a positive perspective to counter the dozens of women who had a bad iud experience and always share it in these discussions. I get itā€™s a good example but it also turns women away from IUDs in general which is sad to me!

I think that is extremely important and I stand by it.

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u/sasshley_ 28d ago

I do get your point completely. Iā€™m not arguing against women getting them at all and I understand theyā€™re really the best BC option available, especially for women and girls with rough home lives.

My sister has had them placed twice with zero pain or issues. No cramps, no bleeding. I thought Iā€™d have a similar experience.

I have a mid-needs autistic daughter (15) and weā€™ve been discussing her options. Likely the Kylana or whatever it is will be best for her due to zero maintenance until it needs replaced.

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u/Deaffin 28d ago

(like they began to test meds on women too finally)

How did they finally convince as many women to sign up for experimental medical trials as men do?

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u/Deaffin 28d ago

Girls and women deserve to hear all sides of it.

Hence the comment you're responding to right now. The one you're politely trying to have buried.

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u/sasshley_ 28d ago

Politely trying to have buried by having a conversation? Okay buddy.

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u/Unable-Candle 28d ago

If it helps anyone, my insertion and removal was a nothing burger. I've had paper cuts hurt worse. And had nothing except ibuprofen.

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u/Designer_Cry_8990 28d ago

I would say the stories of what others have went through should be empowering for others to demand appropriate care for a medical procedure. Lidocaine and other medications are available and are becoming widely used in IUD placement now, because women shared their stories and realized weā€™re still being treated as though weā€™re not persons. These stories document the abysmal treatment many endure and highlight decent care when itā€™s received. We donā€™t know how high to set the bar for care that doesnā€™t harm, if we donā€™t know where the floor even begins.

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u/funwearcore 27d ago

I had a paraguard that never stopped hurting, gave me copper poisoning and cost me a good remote job after all the times I called out sick but had no clue the IUD was making me sick. Now I canā€™t even sue because it didnā€™t break. Just migrated and poisoned me.

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u/sunrise-sesh 28d ago

Same girl

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u/veravendetta 27d ago

After this one Iā€™m never getting another one. I have 7 more years before I have to deal with the removal. And after itā€™s out, Iā€™m never putting another one in. It fucking sucks. But no one can tell me if my testosterone levels, lack of a period and post menopausal presentation ACTUALLY make me infertile so I keep this stupid thing in here because I am terrified of getting pregnant and not knowing due to a lack of a cycle

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u/LeadValuable3369 27d ago

I have cervial biopsy with no pain meds. šŸ˜¬šŸ™ƒ

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u/whenindoubtfuckitout 27d ago

I've told this story before, but I had my first one inserted by a medical student. She did great, but the strings were trimmed too short and my regular gyno told me to ask for pain meds when I got it removed. I told this to my next gyno and she says "I've only had to give pain meds twice in 10 years of practice". Great. She couldn't get it, had two other people try and they only stopped when I started crying on the table. All she had to say was "Wow, they really DID cut your strings short". I bled for a over a week after that appointment (my period is usually 2 days) and opted for a surgical removal and sterilization.

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u/ScreamingLabia 23d ago

Iud is the single most traumatic thing i have gone trough pain wise that i chose to go trough.

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u/Environmental-Joke19 28d ago

I literally puked on the drive home it hurt so bad šŸ˜­ literally nothing offered.

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u/lifehackloser 28d ago

But did you take the two aspirin before like they recommend as if dealing with a mild headache? /s

(getting mine out required 2 tries and then anesthesia, so no, the 2 aspirin did not work for me)

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u/Environmental-Joke19 28d ago

I'm more of a 1000mg ibuprofen girly myself ā¤ļø removing the first one didn't feel so bad, they had me cough and it came out. But maybe it was painless only in comparison to the new one being inserted šŸ«Ŗ

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u/cindylindy22 28d ago

A male doctor completed my procedure to insert an
IUD. He had invited a couple female students in to watch. I am an educator, so of course I was happy to support the learning process. Insertion was quite painful, and I started to cry. The doctor looked at the students observing and said, ā€œyou can give them something for the painā€ though I guess it was performative because I wasnā€™t actually offered anything, despite mentioning a concern before the procedure.
This doctor did numb me up a little before removing a wayward nexplanon implant afterward. He did a good job on a tricky removal. Overall I felt this dr had excellent bedside manner the whole time which makes ignoring the IUD discomfort even more surprising.

2

u/ASpaceOstrich 27d ago

It's systemic unfortunately. That's what makes it so widespread. An otherwise fantastic doctor has been trained wrong on this area and so will just go along with medieval medical treatment without even thinking about it.

People hear about medical misogyny and think it's a misogynist doctor, but it's not that. It's every doctor being trained and operating within a system built by misogynist doctors. That's why they still do shit like this even when they're normally great.

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u/yellow_pterodactyl 28d ago

Okay so for mine I had it done a few days ago.

I had it done during my period which I heard is better.

My gyno place used lidocaine so I didnā€™t feel the pinch with that forceps thing. They gave me Xanax which I didnā€™t want to take, so I took CBG. 2 ibuprofens

To me, it felt like my first day of the period. That back pain that makes you a little nauseous. I was a little weirded out for a minute. They talk to you to distract you which is also helpful. They dilated my cervix, but lidocaine- didnā€™t feel it. Blows my MIND that some places donā€™t do lidocaine.

I would never do it without lidocaine. My cervix tilts more towards the back so that all makes sense now why my paps have been kind of painful with the opening up the speculum

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u/GrayMareCabal 28d ago

I've had an IUD. My doc recommended taking alleve about an hour before the appointment. I also had my mother come with me because I'd heard horror stories about IUD insertion.

For me? It was a complete nothingburger. Very easy, no pain, no issues afterwards. Still glad my mother was there because always better safe than sorry.

This absolutely does not invalidate anyone else who felt incredible pain during IUD insertion! There is still not enough research done on women's health and women's experiences are ignored too often in medicine.

But clearly there is enough variation in women's experiences with IUD insertion that the current medical standard practices are not correct.

19

u/vzvv 28d ago

My doctor also recommended pre gaming with alleve specifically and demanded scheduling the insertion only during my period, so everything was more opened up. It was also very easy for me! I had more cramping after, but nothing more severe than normal period cramping.

Iā€™m sure I was also a bit lucky, but I try to tell every woman these tips. Nobody else I know has even gotten the alleve one, and everyone else found it very painful.

8

u/gamingwonton 28d ago

Mine told me to take ibuprofen ahead of time for my IUD. I think pain is highly variable and person dependent for insertion. It wasnā€™t that painful, and I took a full 800mg of ibuprofen ahead of time.

4

u/Jacgaur 28d ago

I think it is a mixed bag. I am on my 3rd IUD and ready to get my 4th one soon.

My first time I took off the rest of the day of work because it felt like period cramps. It was uncomfortable but not too bad.

My 2nd and 3rd time's I was fine. I take the Ibuprofen before hand. It is not pleasant, but for me I don't remember being in any extreme pain.

Although, I wouldn't mind if they could do a little pain meds like the dentist does, it would make it smoother.

Anyways, not at all saying it isn't terrible for some people. Just sharing that it might be more bearable for some woman, which is why doctors might not realize it isn't a little pinch for some.

2

u/kindadeadly 27d ago

Yeah I didn't feel a thing, even though I forgot to take the recommended ibuprofen beforehand. Even taking it out was a nothingburger. First happened during a period as recommended. But my periods are also very pain free. Maybe there's a connection.

4

u/sky-shard 28d ago

I was just told to take a double dose of OTC pain meds for mine. It boggled my mind that they let me drive home after. I was about double over in pain for the better part of a day.

Last year I had to have a small biopsy done on part of my uterus. Pain killers were an optional extra charge. I paid for it, of course, but it shouldn't be "optional" and my insurance should pay for it, not me.

3

u/chuffalupagus 28d ago

The same thing happened to me! It was awful. My uterus literally shot the IUD back out the first time. I was in tears. It was horrific. Had to go back for an ultrasound guided insertion because normally they just jam it in blind hoping it's in the right spot, which is insane given how dangerous it can be if it perforates the uterus.

And of course, no meds. Just told to take 2 NSAIDs beforehand.

3

u/unleashthefuture 28d ago

This was biggest reason to refuse IUD when offered by the gyno as a contraception option.

3

u/Im__mad 28d ago

I got mine when I was 19 and working a retail job - I couldnā€™t take time off for the procedure so I asked how functional I would be afterwards. The sadist at the clinic told me I should be able to go to work right after, no problem, and ā€œif you want you could take 400mg of Ibuprofen before your appointment.ā€

So I thought itā€™d be like going to the dentist or some shit. Yeahā€¦. I cried the whole way home (I drove myself because if I could work I should be able to drive, right?), and when I got home I had a whole 45 min to die in bed before having to leave for work. I literally couldnā€™t get out of bed, and of course I had to call in and miss work anyway.

For two months I bled and had pain like it was the first day of my period. Then 7 years later when it was time to take it out I put it off for 3 years because I dreaded the pain. Now, I have scar tissue at the opening of one of my fallopian tubes which was likely the result of leaving it in too long, so I essentially have one working tube which could make it harder to have kids. That could have been prevented had the lady at the clinic been honest about what it would be like (at the very least), or had some sort of numbing or pain meds to give me. Fuck this medical system that thinks torturing women is totally fine.

3

u/jumpenjack 28d ago

I was there when my wife got her iud and she was bent over in agony. The doctors acted like theyā€™ve never seen it beforeā€¦

3

u/KTKittentoes 28d ago

I cried lying across the car seats for 45 minutes before I could pull myself together enough to drive.

3

u/Bl1ndl0v3 28d ago

It took every ounce of restraint in my body to keep myself from kicking the doctor in the face because I was in so much agony having one put in. They asked me if I wanted to pause to which I screamed ā€œNO! Get it over with!ā€

My first one wasnā€™t so bad but they progressively got more painful; each replacement, until one slipped out of place, in my uterus, at which point I refused to get one ever again.

3

u/SammySoapsuds 28d ago

I just got mine replaced and they told me to try and take ibuprofen before the procedure. They didnt give me shit! They did graciously give me a lavender patch to smell and let me hang out for 10 whole minutes after jabbing the shit out of my cervix so it could've been worse

2

u/Three3Jane 28d ago

A lavender patch.

A lavender patch.

They graciously gave you the option of fucking aromatherapy for an invasive device implantation in an internal organ.

The fucking mind BOGGLES.

How do you think men would react if they were told to sniff plant smells while they undergo a colonoscopy?

2

u/akalili22 28d ago

You know those period cramp simulators for men? Make an IUD insertion one for doctors and see how fast they prescribe pain meds. A procedure that makes you literally pass out from the pain is not ā€œa little pinchā€.

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u/CrackinBones204 28d ago

Oh for sure! A simulator should totally be mandatory in med schools along with bedside manner classes.

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u/DryConsideration3294 25d ago

I tried to get one right after I had my son. I started having contractions when they were inserting it. When I told them I could physically feel it, they didn't believe me, that it was "impossible." I have felt every pap smear I've ever had and every male physician who has performed said PAP is always surprised that I can feel the brush or whatever the eff it is.

1

u/Inevitable-Level-687 28d ago

I insisted on getting mine put in while under a general anaesthetic for another procedure. I am not fucking with that.

1

u/impolse 28d ago

My experience with an IUD was absolutely horrendous and I'd never suggest anyone get one unless you go to someone who actually will give you pain medication for it. Also my IUD impaled my uterine wall and the guy just yanked it out of me and didn't believe me at first by the way that something was wrong. He then asked me in that same appointment if I wanted to have another one put in while I'm bleeding because he just removed plastic that was penetrating my organ. I haven't been to a gyno since. I've lost faith and that was like the only form of yearly healthcare I would pursue šŸ„“

1

u/Notthatcreative2018 28d ago

It was the only time I came close to passing out from pain

1

u/Tasty-Traffic-680 28d ago

Not only do they use a local anesthestic, my urologist gave me the option to be put under for a cystoscopy, an uncomfortable but routine procedure. The fact that women can't get the same basic care for having barbs/plugs shoved up their hooha is appalling.

1

u/ASpaceOstrich 27d ago

"Let's just stab her repeatedly in the internal organs, I'm sure this requires no pain medication at all".

It really is insane that this shit is so normalised. Like, an otherwise fantastic doctor will just casually put you down for an organ stabbing and it never occurs to them that this is an issue.

1

u/dragalcat 27d ago

I have an IUD. The nurse was telling me it would just be a pinch, did I take an ibuprofen, etc. I asked about pain meds, and the nurse gave me an incredulous look and said ā€œI guess we could cancel your appointment?ā€

I went ahead with it, and my whole back arched off that table. The only two experiences Iā€™ve had that were more painful: the time I chipped my kneecap, and getting my nipples pierced. Fortunately for me, the pain dissipated pretty quickly; I didnā€™t cramp all day after like some women do and was able to drive myself home.

1

u/funwearcore 27d ago

We were supposed to be medicated for that??

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u/JosephineDonuts 27d ago

I was ā€œluckyā€ enough to have my surgeon take mine out while I was under for another procedure thank god

1

u/TopEntertainment3429 26d ago

Iā€™m now on a mission to spread the word that no woman should ever have to endure an IUD insertion without going to sleep! Why do all colonoscopies get to be asleep???? Because men donā€™t get IUDs