What Does Getting an IUD Feel Like?

Intrauterine devices (IUDs), including the copper IUD and the hormonal (progestin-releasing) IUD, are an option for effective pregnancy prevention. A person can get an IUD placed in most cases even if they have a backward-tilting uterus, which is also called a retroverted uterus.

However, you may be still wondering: does getting an IUD hurt? The answer is that people generally experience anything from discomfort to pain. Here are more facts about IUD insertion, including what to expect, side effects, personal stories, and when to see a healthcare provider.

1. When Can You Get an IUD?

In general, you can have an IUD inserted at any time. For example, you might have it inserted after giving birth or during any part of your menstrual cycle. IUDs may also serve as emergency contraception when you get one within five days of unprotected sex.

2. Does Getting an IUD Hurt?

The IUD insertion process may hurt, but pain experiences vary individually. You may feel anything from discomfort to cramping or pain depending on how sensitive you are to pain.

3. What Can I Expect Afterward?

You may still feel uncomfortable after getting an IUD, so it may be best to have an additional person available to drive you home. Copper IUDs are effective against pregnancy immediately. However, hormonal IUDs can take seven days before they become effective, unless they are placed in the first seven days of your menstrual cycle. You should use birth control like condoms if your hormonal IUD is placed at any other time during your cycle and you decide to have sex during that time.

4. How Can I Reduce Pain?

Taking over-the-counter painkillers before or after the procedure can help reduce any pain you might experience. You may also ask that a local anesthetic be used before the IUD procedure begins.

5. What Are the Immediate Side Effects?

Generally, there are few immediate side effects when you get an IUD. You might have low back pain, mild cramps, or spotting.

6. What Are the Risks of IUD Insertion?

Like with almost any procedure, there are risks when you get an IUD that include:

• Cramping, longer or heavier menstrual periods, and spotting between periods with copper IUDs
• Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, though pregnancy risk is low
• Increased risk of benign ovarian cysts, which can resolve on their own
• No prevention or protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• The IUD moving out of place, which rarely happens but can lead to necessary removal
  
• Temporary irregular bleeding and spotting with progestin-releasing IUDs
• Uterus injuries

7. Who Shouldn't Get an IUD?

Certain conditions or situations may prevent a person from being a candidate for an IUD. They include:

• Abnormal Pap smear test results
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Cervical or uterine cancer
• Current or recent history of pelvic infection
• Current STI
• Higher risk for STIs
• History of previous IUD insertion without removal
• Hypersensitivity to device components, such as copper
• Pregnancy
• A very large or very small uterus

Real Stories

Because no two IUD experiences are exactly alike, Health reached out to real people for their personal stories. Here, they share what they felt during the insertion and whether they would choose to do it again.

Allyson W.

Allyson switched to an IUD because she was tired of having to think about birth control every day: "My OB-GYN recommended Mirena for its low side effects, and I decided to go for it." Allyson explained that the pain she experienced came from having to have her cervix dilated, but she reported having no side effects after the procedure.

Danielle L.

Danielle described her IUD insertion as "the single biggest, most intense cramp of my life." The pain, however, didn't last long. There was some lingering abdominal discomfort afterward, but "nothing too bad." When her IUD expired, she planned to have it replaced. "Whatever the cost—both financially and the physical pain of the insertion—it's totally worth it, in my opinion," said Danielle.

Gina V.

Gina thought her anxiety about the insertion made it feel more painful: "I [had] read every online review I could find. I [had] completely psyched myself out and almost didn't get it." She went on to explain that she experienced symptoms like extreme body temperature changes, nausea, and dizziness. Still, Gina believed her experience was rare: "A lot of women have really easy, great experiences with the IUD. I'm just not one of those women."

Lauren G.

Lauren learned that her uterus was tilted and that the process would take about 10 minutes—five times longer than usual. "When the IUD was inserted, the pain was comparable to very intense period cramps," said Lauren. "They were most prevalent during the insertion but did not go away completely for a few days." She was also surprised by how long it took her body to adjust to the device, but she said she wouldn't hesitate to make the same choice again.

Ashley B.

Ashley initially chose a copper IUD to avoid the common side effects of hormonal birth control methods, attracted to the idea of a long-term solution with little bodily reactions. Yet, after a month of pain, she opted to have her IUD taken out. She said her healthcare provider suggested her uterus might have been too small for the device. It's not uncommon for some people to have a uterus that is too small to accommodate standard IUDs.

Jerlyn T.

Jerlyn decided to get an IUD from a cost perspective. "The price and the percentage of effectiveness made sense to me," she said. "If it costs $500 for five years, it would be like paying less than $10 per month." For her, the insertion process was akin to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). "I felt some mild cramping," said Jerlyn, who planned to have her device replaced when it expired.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

See an OB-GYN if your IUD slips partially or fully out of your vagina. You should also contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience the following:

• Bleeding, pain, or fluid leaking from your vagina
• Cramps
• Feeling the IUD in your cervix or vagina
• Fever or chills
• Flu-like symptoms
• Inability to find the string
• Pregnancy signs, such as a positive home pregnancy test or a missed menstrual period
• Severe pelvic pain

A Quick Review

Getting an IUD is one of the most effective forms of contraception, but the procedure can be uncomfortable or painful. You might have side effects like cramping or spotting after the procedure—though every person has different experiences with IUDs in the short and long term.

There are risks to getting an IUD, such as injuries to your uterus or the IUD moving out of place, and IUDs aren't for everyone. See a healthcare provider if you have problems or concerns about your IUD after insertion or if you experience symptoms like fever or chills and severe pelvic pain.