TAMPA, Fla. — Two Planned Parenthood locations in the Tampa Bay area are offering sedation for women getting an IUD procedure.
The long-acting, reversible contraception is the third most common birth control method used by American women and can last up to 10 years, according to Yale Medicine. They have become increasingly popular due to their extremely low failure rate.
The procedure is known for being painful and recently, numerous women have posted TikTok videos documenting their pained reactions during the insertion of the device. A study in the National Library of Medicine showed that 96.8% of these videos highlighted the pain and other side effects related to IUDs.
"By offering IV sedation, PPSWCF is ensuring that patients who are concerned about pain or anxious from prior negative experiences can benefit from highly effective, long-acting birth control, knowing they can be comfortable during their IUD placement and removal," a news release from Planned Parenthood read.
The CEO of Planned Parenthood for Southwest and Central Florida, Barbara Zdravecky, said in a statement that it's important that women have the option for this birth control considering the six-week abortion ban in place.
"These ‘set and forget’ birth control methods protect against pregnancy for years and can give people the peace of mind they need during this treacherous time to experience unintended pregnancy in Florida," she said.
Patients can feel "a few minutes of discomfort" during the procedure and after, most women experience cramping, according to the article by Yale Medicine.
To help ease the pain and provide comfort to patients, some Planned Parenthood locations are offering medication through an IV prior to the procedure. The clinic's website says many people can get an IUD inserted or taken out without sedation but people who experience one or more of the following may want to consider sedation:
- You think of yourself as having a low pain tolerance
- You are prone to anxiety
- You have a history of fainting
- You have any history of sexual trauma
- You have previously experienced discomfort with a similar procedure
- You experience a lot of discomfort during your Pap tests
Patients will feel drowsy and sleepy for about 30 minutes but will be able to walk independently out of the recovery room after the procedure. Patients will be monitored by a nurse and will stay awake during the procedure, according to the website.
Sedation is only available at the East Orlando, North Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers health centers.
It is also available upon request for other services including cervical cancer screenings.
