IUD wouldn't go in !! Please Help!!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2004
IUD wouldn't go in !! Please Help!!!!!
9
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 2:25pm
First of all thanks for any advice.

I am 22, and have not had any children. I decided to get the copper IUD, but it did not work out as planned. My cervix would not open enough for the doctor to dialate it. I went in about 2 days after my period had comletely ended. The doctor tried using the smallest instrument she had to try and penetrate the cervix. At one point she gave me a numbing agent (into the cervix)to ease the pain. It still did work. She says my only other options are to wait for my next period (when, maybe, the cervix will be more dilated) or use a small dosage of the drug they use to induce labor. My plan as of now is to go back on my period. So, my questions are:

Is there anything I can do to naturally diate my cervix?

Could it have been that I wasn't relaxed enough (I had realy freaked my self out before hand)?

Anyone heard of this problem??? Do I need to go to a different doctor???

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 3:32pm
Hi candylotus, welcome!

I'm sorry you had such an uncomfortable experience. My first thought was, how much experience does this doctor have inserting IUDs? Ideally you want a very experienced doctor as the process usually goes more smoothly and experience with proper placement lowers the chances of expulsion. I don't think your being anxious had anything to do with the condition of your cervix. I suppose it depends on your previous experience with your doctor and your confidence in her. Insertion during your period will probably work, but if I were you I think I'd be looking for another doctor if your present one is not very experienced in IUD insertions. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2004
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 3:54pm
I went in on Thursday to get a mirena also having had no children. The dr. (who is very experienced w/iud insertion) gave me the pill to dialate my cervix also. I go back tomorrow to have it inserted. She didn't even try insertion on Thurs. That really irritates me though because my copay is $25 each visit and the pill was $10. Even though thats cheaper than $33 a month for bcp's, its still ridiculus to have to pay 2 copays when my first visit was literally about 5 mins. with the dr. Sorry I had to vent about that. I will let you know tomorrow how the pill worked for me. Good luck to you! B
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 6:43pm
My doctor had a lot of experience with IUD's but she would only put it in during my period. Make sure you are feel your doctor knows what to do. The insertion to less than 2 minutes, with most of that time preping the cervix (cleaning etc). You cervix will be dilated some for your period and your doctor should be able to do it.

Good Luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2004
Mon, 08-30-2004 - 8:27pm
Well, I had the mirena put in today. (26 & no kids) I don't know how well that dilation pill worked though. I didn't get any cramps or anything from it. All I can say is it hurt like hell. It only took a few minutes to put in but it was a painful few mins. I had to lay in the dr. office for about 20 min afterward because she was afraid I was going to pass out. She gave me some coke & a nurse gave me some cheetos & that made me feel alot better. She wouldn't let me leave till I got my color back. I'm not trying to scare you just sharing my experience. The bad cramping only lasted about 15 mins afterward. By the time I left the cramping was gone. I have very faint cramps now but nothing major. I hope all goes well for you & I will keep you posted as I go thru the next few weeks. After that it should be smooth sailing. Good Luck! B
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 2:19pm
HI!

I read all the replies to your message and boy do I have a story to share. Because of a different medical condition, I am unable to use any form of birth control with hormons, therefore, my only choice for contraception was the IUD. It took several visits to the doctors to get everything cleared up and the ok to go through with the procedure. He explained to me beforehand that because I was only 24 and had never had any children, this was going to be a somewhat uncomfortable procedure. The day of the procedure, I had to insert two small pills and push them as close to my cervix as possible, about 3-4 hours before my appointment. This was going to help it dialate. When the doctore tried to insert the IUD we ran into the same problem you mentioned....it wouldn't go in. It tried for a few minutes with small instruments but there was no way, plus it really hurt by then.

So he sent me home and we made an appointment to have him insert it at the hospital while I was put to sleep for a few minutes. That's what I did. The whole lasted about 15 minutes. I never felt a thing. It did hurt quite a bit afterwards though (not to scare you but have a heating pad and drugs close by). It's been a month now. I have gone through one period, which lasted a normal 4-5 days. The cramps before and after were not pleasant. I don't know if anyone else is having this problem but I had severe cramps a week before and I am still having mild cramps a week later. My doctore is very busy and I am not able to get an appointment with him for another few months. Now I can feel the strings, so I think everything is still in place, but I am concerened about the cramps. IF anyone talks to a doctor soon or has information to share about this I would love to hear about it.

Overall things are good and I don't have to worry about a baby any time soon. I hope this helps and it hasn't scared you too much. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck

Ginette

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 3:04pm
Maybe I just got lucky. I went for insertion during my period and the IUD just slid right in with no pain or trouble at all. I haven't even had children before, so the doctor was expecting it to be difficult.

I had cramps for a couple days after the insertion. I've had my first period since then, and some cramps during, but not very bad.

Avatar for smoorum
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 3:54pm
Maybe you all should've gone to Planned Parenthood! ;)

Sorry, not making fun of any of your pain. I went to PP, and am very pleased with my experience. I agree with Jill on checking on another doctor. I've done lots of research, and unless you are like me and without a period because chilbirth/depo/hormones, the IUD should only be inserting while on your period. This does help to open/soften the cervix besides allowing them to get the correct poition of the IUD. Also, they made sure I ate before I cme in and gave me some crackers when I said I hadn't. Then, they gave me a Motrin 400. After waiting a few moments for the brief QA session, she inserted the IUD with no problem. It didn't even hurt me! It was a litlle uncomfy at one point, but nothing different that an annual PAP. Afterwards, I did experience some cramping that made me want to just lay down, but I can't complain otherwise. BTW, I have had 1 child. Good luck on your next try.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 3:28am
Thank you to everyone who has replied to this post! I am going to be starting my period sometime this week (if all works out properly, hehe) and so I will be getting my IUD inserted with in 10 days of my period starting.


It is really great to hear of other people's experiences so I can get an understanding of how many different scenarios can happen.. My stepmom's story was just scary! She said it was very painful during insertion, but only for the 3 to 5 mins that the doctor had to open the servix and be inside her. But it was also 20 years ago! And if I remember correctly, IUD's were bigger back then also. And she also had it taken out before a year was up because of bad cramps and horrible bleeding.


I'm still looking forward to getting the IUD and not needing hormones and condoms! (Ok, maybe condoms sometimes..but that is just so there is no mess...*grin*)





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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2005
Wed, 01-12-2005 - 6:37pm

Hi Candylotus - the exact same thing happened to me! The nurse practitioner said it was because I hadn't had children and gave me some cytotec to insert before the 2nd attempt.

The 2nd attempt worked great and was MUCH less traumatic than the first.

After insertion, I had some cramping for a couple of days. Not great but not too bad - I went to work. Load up on ibuprofen and get some heating pads.

So far, I LOVE my IUD. Best of luck and I hope everything works out.