It’s not just IUDs. Gynecologists and patients are focused on making procedures less painful

AP Health Writers

Federal officials affirmed this month that the pain people might feel when getting an IUD can be more than doctors’ promises of “just a pinch.” The local anesthetic lidocaine “might be useful for reducing patient pain” when inserting intrauterine devices. That’s according to new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which also encourages doctors to have a conversation with patients about pain management. Complaints of pain are not limited to the small, long-lasting birth control device. Gynecologists and patients say there need to be more conversations about options for local anesthetics — as well as other pain-relief options for relatively quick outpatient procedures.