Pain control for intrauterine device insertion: a randomized trial of 1% lidocaine paracervical block

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a 1% lidocaine paracervical block on perceived patient pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

Study design: We randomized 50 women undergoing IUD insertion to receive either a 10-mL 1% lidocaine paracervical block or no local anesthetic before IUD insertion. Women marked their pain on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 mm = no pain, 100 mm = worst pain possible) at various points of the procedure (speculum insertion, tenaculum placement, paracervical block administration, IUD insertion and 5 min postprocedure).

Results: Twenty-six women received the paracervical block before IUD insertion, and 24 received no local anesthesia. Groups were similar in age, parity, ethnicity, education and complications. Women who received the paracervical block reported a median VAS score of 24.0 mm with IUD insertion, and women who did not receive local anesthetic reported a median VAS score of 62.0 mm with IUD insertion; p=.09.

Conclusion: Compared with no anesthetic, a 1% lidocaine paracervical block did not result in a statistically significant decrease in perceived pain with IUD insertion.