I never chose to get an IUD because of my fear of the insertion pain and when I mentioned that to my current OB, she told me that she uses localized anesthetic when inserting the IUD. I never even knew that was an option!! Now that I'm pregnant (particularly in a fat body), having a doctor that is genuinely focused on patient-centered care has been life changing. It should be the bare minimum but I know my experience is not the norm and that is FUCKED.
I am SO GLAD you are getting that care. And it's great to know localized anesthetic is an option for IUD insertion -- why the fuck is that not standard practice!
For my second IUD the doc sputtered in rage that I had not been offered localized anesthetic the first time around. For my third I demanded it. BUT -- they didn't give enough time for the anesthetic to fully take hold! Short visits! Aaugh.
The FDA has stated that there is no scientific consensus on whether or not Plan B works for higher weight people. The FDA’s official belief on this matter is, “We have no idea.”
Paragard insertion (pre kids) was the most painful and terrible experience of my life. I had cramps for 6 days and had it taken out after 6 mos of godawful periods. It was the final chapter in my terrible failed 2 plan Bs + abortion saga. So glad you are bringing these experiences to light.
The cramps and pain happened to me too for several months! Actually when it was inserted, she had to do it twice because the first one was misplaced. When I reported the ongoing pain, I had to go in for a vaginal ultrasound. Nothing was “wrong” with the placement but I still somehow felt like a failure for not just riding out the pain for another 6 months. Like is horrible pain supposed to be the best option for birth control? Apparently.
Had no idea that Plan B was less efficient over a certain weight!!! Truly outrageous!!! Side note on getting an IUD as someone who has not given birth - one of the most painful experiences of my life! I got a Mirena first in 2017 and just had it removed then replaced with a new one last month. Honestly, the removal was horrible - I started crying and the nurse said it was similar to having a contraction and to just breathe through it??? It makes me so mad that there isn't a better option for dealing with the pain. I had a friend mention that her OB had prescribed a drug to help with the pain of the insertion but failed to mention that it was an over the counter drug to induce an abortion??? People with vaginas deserve so much better than what the medical establishment has given us.
I’ve never been pregnant. I had Paragard inserted which really, really hurt. But that was a drop in the bucket compared to the wrenching periods and cramps that were coming my way — and quite a shock compared to my former nothing periods. I had the iud removed after a few years bc the week+ of cramping was so awful and I still have ibs that I never had before that fucking iud, though my periods are now back to 3-4 mild days with minimal cramps. If it works for you, it can be awesome. But I wish someone had warned me that it was a lot more than *discomfort* coming my way.
The removal was easy and I was so relieved that I could do what I wanted with my own fucking body that I made a donation to PP, where all the iud things happened.
Yes "discomfort" is pretty much a dog whistle in this conversation. So sorry that happened. I also had horrendous periods on the Paraguard IUD -- it totally surfaced my endometriosis, for better or worse.
I had the exact same experience and the worst part is that my dr denied for months that the IUD was the cause of my insane periods, though they ended the day I finally took the fucker out. And until I read all these stories I thought I was that only one.
Count me in the had-no-idea about Plan B's weight limit -- I have taken it when I was definitely over 155 (which, since I'm 5'11", is true even when I'm pretty f'ing thin).
I’ve never had an IUD inserted but want to recommend Caroline Criado Perez’s recent writing about IUD insertion pain and medical dismissal of said pain. Caroline Criado Perez is the author of Invisible Women, about how women’s experience is neglected in so many areas of research, leading to ‘data-based’ decision making and policy based on limited and incomplete data.
Her newsletter is also called Invisible Women. Unfortunately her archive isn’t very easy to search, but I found the most recent one in which she discusses IUD pain and it has embedded links to previous issues:
Best line, "We aren't shooting for LESS pregnant here." That made me chuckle like close only counts in Horseshoes and hand grenades. It's infuriating that this can happen to such a large percentage of the population and that the only Plan C, abortion, is being stripped from so many that can not afford to travel to a state that offers them. Not to mention that categorically many marginalized folks happen to also be fat folks, so when the only option legally available in their area fails them, what then? Oh yeah and on top of that there's a formula shortage. It's so fucking frustrating and exhausting to be a woman in this country, let alone a marginalized one.
Also news to me, general birth control being less effective over a certain weight! I am in shock this has never been mentioned to me as I have always been on the borderline BMIs especially nursing postpartum when I was prescribed a different BC that is less effective at higher weights and at that point I was at a higher weight than ever! Also this COMPLETELY negates the pro-life angle of "birth control is readily available and works really well for anyone that wants to be sexually active and not get pregnant" BS (not to mention any female BC can really suck for a lot of women and why aren't we looking at the GD men that don't freaking wrap their tool?! but I digress lol).
The first time I heard that birth control may be less effective for fat people was at Planned Parenthood. I made an appointment to get an IUD, and the doctor sort of mentioned in passing that it was a good choice because the progesterone-only BCP i'd been on for years is less effective over 150 lbs. She was an amazing woman in her late 50s who spent her career doing reproductive health work who had installed thousands of IUDs, and the IUD insertion (and specifically the sounding part where they measure the depth of your uterus) was the worst pain i've ever experienced intentionally.
All of this is *maddening* but I wanted to comment on IUD placement. I have the Paragard (copper IUD) and the doctor tried very hard to talk me out of it - probably due to the reasons people have listed below such as cramping, heavier flow, etc. I pushed ahead and had a fine time. There’s no discernible difference in my periods pre- and post-placement. However! I know a lot of people have a bad bad time. The placement was also not as bad as I expected. I’d heard awful things and expected to be unable to move for the rest of the day but was able to relax with mild tenderness and back to normal the next day. It was a little pinching but again, pain level overall better than my first Pap smear (both done pre-children). I don’t say this to cancel out bad experiences but to share that it’s not universally awful. I would sure love a painless placement, though, and I’m a bit worried about removal.
I never chose to get an IUD because of my fear of the insertion pain and when I mentioned that to my current OB, she told me that she uses localized anesthetic when inserting the IUD. I never even knew that was an option!! Now that I'm pregnant (particularly in a fat body), having a doctor that is genuinely focused on patient-centered care has been life changing. It should be the bare minimum but I know my experience is not the norm and that is FUCKED.
I am SO GLAD you are getting that care. And it's great to know localized anesthetic is an option for IUD insertion -- why the fuck is that not standard practice!
For my second IUD the doc sputtered in rage that I had not been offered localized anesthetic the first time around. For my third I demanded it. BUT -- they didn't give enough time for the anesthetic to fully take hold! Short visits! Aaugh.
Also, yes, shocking how much the removal hurt.
JFC
The FDA has stated that there is no scientific consensus on whether or not Plan B works for higher weight people. The FDA’s official belief on this matter is, “We have no idea.”
RAGE RAGE RAGE
YEP
Paragard insertion (pre kids) was the most painful and terrible experience of my life. I had cramps for 6 days and had it taken out after 6 mos of godawful periods. It was the final chapter in my terrible failed 2 plan Bs + abortion saga. So glad you are bringing these experiences to light.
That sounds so familiar. So sorry you went through it!
The cramps and pain happened to me too for several months! Actually when it was inserted, she had to do it twice because the first one was misplaced. When I reported the ongoing pain, I had to go in for a vaginal ultrasound. Nothing was “wrong” with the placement but I still somehow felt like a failure for not just riding out the pain for another 6 months. Like is horrible pain supposed to be the best option for birth control? Apparently.
Had no idea that Plan B was less efficient over a certain weight!!! Truly outrageous!!! Side note on getting an IUD as someone who has not given birth - one of the most painful experiences of my life! I got a Mirena first in 2017 and just had it removed then replaced with a new one last month. Honestly, the removal was horrible - I started crying and the nurse said it was similar to having a contraction and to just breathe through it??? It makes me so mad that there isn't a better option for dealing with the pain. I had a friend mention that her OB had prescribed a drug to help with the pain of the insertion but failed to mention that it was an over the counter drug to induce an abortion??? People with vaginas deserve so much better than what the medical establishment has given us.
SO MUCH BETTER. (That's awful on the removal. I think I blacked out getting my Paraguard removed pre-kids.)
I’ve never been pregnant. I had Paragard inserted which really, really hurt. But that was a drop in the bucket compared to the wrenching periods and cramps that were coming my way — and quite a shock compared to my former nothing periods. I had the iud removed after a few years bc the week+ of cramping was so awful and I still have ibs that I never had before that fucking iud, though my periods are now back to 3-4 mild days with minimal cramps. If it works for you, it can be awesome. But I wish someone had warned me that it was a lot more than *discomfort* coming my way.
The removal was easy and I was so relieved that I could do what I wanted with my own fucking body that I made a donation to PP, where all the iud things happened.
Yes "discomfort" is pretty much a dog whistle in this conversation. So sorry that happened. I also had horrendous periods on the Paraguard IUD -- it totally surfaced my endometriosis, for better or worse.
I had the exact same experience and the worst part is that my dr denied for months that the IUD was the cause of my insane periods, though they ended the day I finally took the fucker out. And until I read all these stories I thought I was that only one.
Best day of my life when I had my IUD removed after MONTHS of daily horrible pain and bleeding aka "discomfort."
Count me in the had-no-idea about Plan B's weight limit -- I have taken it when I was definitely over 155 (which, since I'm 5'11", is true even when I'm pretty f'ing thin).
Argh. Honestly, 155 is thin (or certainly straight-sized) for most adults.
I’ve never had an IUD inserted but want to recommend Caroline Criado Perez’s recent writing about IUD insertion pain and medical dismissal of said pain. Caroline Criado Perez is the author of Invisible Women, about how women’s experience is neglected in so many areas of research, leading to ‘data-based’ decision making and policy based on limited and incomplete data.
Her newsletter is also called Invisible Women. Unfortunately her archive isn’t very easy to search, but I found the most recent one in which she discusses IUD pain and it has embedded links to previous issues:
https://newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/issues/invisible-women-sweety-you-re-in-my-a-hole-664648
Best line, "We aren't shooting for LESS pregnant here." That made me chuckle like close only counts in Horseshoes and hand grenades. It's infuriating that this can happen to such a large percentage of the population and that the only Plan C, abortion, is being stripped from so many that can not afford to travel to a state that offers them. Not to mention that categorically many marginalized folks happen to also be fat folks, so when the only option legally available in their area fails them, what then? Oh yeah and on top of that there's a formula shortage. It's so fucking frustrating and exhausting to be a woman in this country, let alone a marginalized one.
Also news to me, general birth control being less effective over a certain weight! I am in shock this has never been mentioned to me as I have always been on the borderline BMIs especially nursing postpartum when I was prescribed a different BC that is less effective at higher weights and at that point I was at a higher weight than ever! Also this COMPLETELY negates the pro-life angle of "birth control is readily available and works really well for anyone that wants to be sexually active and not get pregnant" BS (not to mention any female BC can really suck for a lot of women and why aren't we looking at the GD men that don't freaking wrap their tool?! but I digress lol).
The first time I heard that birth control may be less effective for fat people was at Planned Parenthood. I made an appointment to get an IUD, and the doctor sort of mentioned in passing that it was a good choice because the progesterone-only BCP i'd been on for years is less effective over 150 lbs. She was an amazing woman in her late 50s who spent her career doing reproductive health work who had installed thousands of IUDs, and the IUD insertion (and specifically the sounding part where they measure the depth of your uterus) was the worst pain i've ever experienced intentionally.
All of this is *maddening* but I wanted to comment on IUD placement. I have the Paragard (copper IUD) and the doctor tried very hard to talk me out of it - probably due to the reasons people have listed below such as cramping, heavier flow, etc. I pushed ahead and had a fine time. There’s no discernible difference in my periods pre- and post-placement. However! I know a lot of people have a bad bad time. The placement was also not as bad as I expected. I’d heard awful things and expected to be unable to move for the rest of the day but was able to relax with mild tenderness and back to normal the next day. It was a little pinching but again, pain level overall better than my first Pap smear (both done pre-children). I don’t say this to cancel out bad experiences but to share that it’s not universally awful. I would sure love a painless placement, though, and I’m a bit worried about removal.