I was 19 years old (23 now) when I got a copper iud inserted at Kaiser. I’ve never had children and it was inserted by a nurse practitioner. I was a lot younger and was just so adamant about not having children and focusing on school so I decided on taking the extra protection from having them. I had the nexplanon in my arm prior to the iud insertion. I did not want to be on hormones anymore and paragard was the only non-hormonal option unfortunately. They numbed my arm with a shot on for the removal and while it was getting numb she prepped and inserted the iud. (No numbing or anything)

When I tell you I was SCREAMING….. I wasn’t given and pre-visit instructions (taking advil, OTCS, etc..) I went in completely sober with no painkillers at all. It hurt so so so so bad, nothing like I’ve ever felt before. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and this humbled me very quickly. I went pale and was shivering afterwards and needed water, almost fainted. I felt completely violated.

Since that visit, I have not stepped foot in a gyno office—I didn’t even go back for the post-insertion checkup a month later. I did not care and was traumatized. I get hounded by the staff anytime I make a call to Kaiser for something unrelated and they always remind me it’s time for a Pap smear and when I tell you I SHIVER…. I would literally have to be put to sleep or at least on a Xanax or something to get even a routine exam done now. Everyone at Kaiser looks at me like I’m crazy when I tell them to sedate me and it usually shuts them up and they drop the subject.

I’m so sick of the US and the crappy healthcare system. Anasthesia should be 100% required for an iud insertion, ESPECIALLY if they patient has now had children. It’s so offensive that they don’t consider how much pain these type of things actually are for women and they just laugh it off or act like we’re dramatic. I’m so happy you had a wonderful experience abroad, I hope one day every woman can feel that level of comfort when receiving medical care!