New Studies Identified Pain Relief for IUD Placement
Researchers found that mepivacaine and moderate sedation can improve the patient experience during IUD procedures.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Women’s Health
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Should patients be routinely offered more comprehensive pain management options during medical procedures?
Two new JAMA studies have identified effective strategies to manage pain during IUD insertion. Findings suggest that uterine mepivacaine administration and the availability of moderate sedation can significantly reduce discomfort for patients.
Why it matters
Pain during IUD placement is a recognized barrier to the use of long-acting reversible contraception. Identifying effective management strategies is essential for improving patient access to these reproductive health services.
In a trial of 370 women, those receiving mepivacaine reported an average pain score of 44 compared to 59 for the placebo group. Separately, 20% of 1,324 patients reviewed opted for moderate sedation, with higher uptake among those with previous pelvic pain.
The players
JAMA
The Journal of the American Medical Association is a peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes original research and clinical studies.
The details
Researchers administered mepivacaine or saline into the uterus via catheter to evaluate pain reduction, finding that those treated with mepivacaine were half as likely to experience severe pain. Clinics in the Massachusetts study offered various options, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracervical lidocaine blocks, and moderate IV sedation with fentanyl and midazolam.
Timeline
The Swedish clinical trial was conducted between 2021 and 2024.
The review of IUD placements in Massachusetts covered 2024 to 2025.
Health Landscape
This research extends current clinical research within the JAMA network's ongoing clinical research programs by providing new data on pain management options. These findings represent a milestone in standardizing comfort protocols for intrauterine procedures.
Patients may find that discussing specific pain management options with their provider can reduce the likelihood of severe discomfort or vasovagal reactions. These findings support the push for clinics to offer a broader range of sedative and anesthetic options.
The takeaway
These studies underscore the importance of clinicians offering tailored pain management to accommodate diverse patient needs. Future procedures should prioritize patient comfort to ensure barriers to contraceptive care are lowered.
Further reading
For more information on reproductive healthcare practices, visit Women’s Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
Live Poll
Should patients be routinely offered more comprehensive pain management options during medical procedures?
