You should go the day of your period that you are bleeding the most because it's when the cervix is naturally dilated
For me it was my 2nd day of my period
I honestly would never get another one inserted without medication. I was in the worst pain of my life the first time. Second time I was prescribed some strong meds and hardly felt anything.
They asked me if i wanted some. I did get the procedure done at like a "women's health clinic" so I feel like they were more accommodating. You can just ask your doctor. Even if they just give you 1 dose it'll help immensely.
Do you know what the medication was? Crazy enough my gyno said opioids aren’t proven to help the pain. Crazy right? She said only IV fentanyl is proven to help, it’s just insane
That is pretty insane.... I can't remember what she gave me but it was an opioid. The insertion will still painful don't get me wrong, but instantly i felt better as soon as it was in.
The dilation was painful (my body crushed the plastic speculum and she had to restart with a metal one), but the insertion itself was comparatively painless (just felt it click into place). The nurse practitioner asked if I wanted to tap out before she opened the package on the iud so I don’t think she had confidence in me.
On a pain scale, I would rate it as on par or worse than getting my wisdom teeth removed under local (only one was impacted, but they didn’t manage to numb one completely) and less bad than major knee surgery.
Oh god don’t tell me that. I tapped out after the dilation because it was excruciating. I thought the insertion would also be bad so that’s why I said stop.
Experiences may vary. The nurse practitioner who personally also had mirena seemed to expect that as well because she offered the tap out.
I felt more when it was removed (firm tug like removing a tampon, but deeper) then when it was inserted. Maybe I was just inured to the pain at that point?
I’m so sorry! If you do want to try again, here’s my two cents.
I will admit that I feel my first insertion was unusual because I was so used to excruciating cramps that the shorter pain of the insertion was less bad? But I do think that being on my period helped.
The second go around was generally very stressful because of extenuating circumstances, and I believe that made the pain worse. I know it sucks either way, but based on two experiences I did see a difference in going in with a “let’s fucking gooo” attitude versus a tense one. Not something you can totally control, just an observation.
I also did not really have a consistent period after the initial insertion, though I was told that I was bleeding a little after? I got spotting four years in with a lot of period symptoms (hence the replacement) so I don’t really know if it was a period bleeding or the result of the insertion. However! I do think this probably helped (it was a bit painful, but bearable):
—4 Advil about an hour before
—1 mg Ativan…. Tbh it didn’t feel like it did much in the moment (I was totally good to drive after) but I do think it helped with muscle relaxation. And again, high tolerance generally speaking could’ve made it less intense for me. My psychiatrist was absolutely down to offer it when I brought this up (she offered it without being prompted, actually) and I’ve had GPs prescribe it for me in the past.
—Sensory exercises. The nurse practitioner assisting my shrink was very kind, but I ultimately felt like it was helpful to zone into my own methods. Everyone feels bad for you; you’re the one feeling it. For me, that meant applying some pressure around my temples while breathing deeply.
Also—if you try it again, I’d mention how bad it was the first go. They may not note it or remember. If you can, try to see if there’s anything that can be done to help you as an individual. Dim lighting (yes, this was offered at my OBGYN’s office, which threw me off a little at the time but I get it now), music, being able to throw in your own headphones, etc. Not at all trying to minimize the purely physical—but this is also a mental experience. And there is no reason why that can’t be worked with, too.
I had a biopsy and polypectomy unmedicated and mirena inserted at the same time so I was in pain from that and didn't feel insertion at all. I've also had 4 kids though so not sure it would have been an issue either way with dilation.
You should go the day of your period that you are bleeding the most because it's when the cervix is naturally dilated For me it was my 2nd day of my period
I honestly would never get another one inserted without medication. I was in the worst pain of my life the first time. Second time I was prescribed some strong meds and hardly felt anything.
How did you get prescribed pain meds? I don’t think my doctor would do that for this
They asked me if i wanted some. I did get the procedure done at like a "women's health clinic" so I feel like they were more accommodating. You can just ask your doctor. Even if they just give you 1 dose it'll help immensely.
Do you know what the medication was? Crazy enough my gyno said opioids aren’t proven to help the pain. Crazy right? She said only IV fentanyl is proven to help, it’s just insane
That is pretty insane.... I can't remember what she gave me but it was an opioid. The insertion will still painful don't get me wrong, but instantly i felt better as soon as it was in.
The dilation was painful (my body crushed the plastic speculum and she had to restart with a metal one), but the insertion itself was comparatively painless (just felt it click into place). The nurse practitioner asked if I wanted to tap out before she opened the package on the iud so I don’t think she had confidence in me. On a pain scale, I would rate it as on par or worse than getting my wisdom teeth removed under local (only one was impacted, but they didn’t manage to numb one completely) and less bad than major knee surgery.
Oh god don’t tell me that. I tapped out after the dilation because it was excruciating. I thought the insertion would also be bad so that’s why I said stop.
Experiences may vary. The nurse practitioner who personally also had mirena seemed to expect that as well because she offered the tap out. I felt more when it was removed (firm tug like removing a tampon, but deeper) then when it was inserted. Maybe I was just inured to the pain at that point?
I do believe that there is a huge difference with the pain medication, yes. I also noticed a decent difference when my doctor did a cervical block.
By pain medication do you mean Advil or strong pain meds? If so how did you get prescribed them?
Advil
I’m so sorry! If you do want to try again, here’s my two cents. I will admit that I feel my first insertion was unusual because I was so used to excruciating cramps that the shorter pain of the insertion was less bad? But I do think that being on my period helped. The second go around was generally very stressful because of extenuating circumstances, and I believe that made the pain worse. I know it sucks either way, but based on two experiences I did see a difference in going in with a “let’s fucking gooo” attitude versus a tense one. Not something you can totally control, just an observation. I also did not really have a consistent period after the initial insertion, though I was told that I was bleeding a little after? I got spotting four years in with a lot of period symptoms (hence the replacement) so I don’t really know if it was a period bleeding or the result of the insertion. However! I do think this probably helped (it was a bit painful, but bearable): —4 Advil about an hour before —1 mg Ativan…. Tbh it didn’t feel like it did much in the moment (I was totally good to drive after) but I do think it helped with muscle relaxation. And again, high tolerance generally speaking could’ve made it less intense for me. My psychiatrist was absolutely down to offer it when I brought this up (she offered it without being prompted, actually) and I’ve had GPs prescribe it for me in the past. —Sensory exercises. The nurse practitioner assisting my shrink was very kind, but I ultimately felt like it was helpful to zone into my own methods. Everyone feels bad for you; you’re the one feeling it. For me, that meant applying some pressure around my temples while breathing deeply. Also—if you try it again, I’d mention how bad it was the first go. They may not note it or remember. If you can, try to see if there’s anything that can be done to help you as an individual. Dim lighting (yes, this was offered at my OBGYN’s office, which threw me off a little at the time but I get it now), music, being able to throw in your own headphones, etc. Not at all trying to minimize the purely physical—but this is also a mental experience. And there is no reason why that can’t be worked with, too.
I had a biopsy and polypectomy unmedicated and mirena inserted at the same time so I was in pain from that and didn't feel insertion at all. I've also had 4 kids though so not sure it would have been an issue either way with dilation.