School of Medicine

Intrauterine devices are a reliable, long-term, and highly effective form of birth control that are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. As with many medical procedures, patients receiving an IUD may experience anxiety prior to the procedure. This mindset may actually be a self-fulfilling prophesy such that high expectations of pain produce increased discomfort. Currently, there is no proven method that reduces pain felt during IUD placement. It is unclear whether the expectation of pain is a significant predictor for discomfort felt during IUD placement, but results may provide insight as to how to better prepare patients mentally prior to the procedure.