Yes, IUD Insertion Can Hurt — But at Seven Hills Family Medicine, We’re Doing It Differently

Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a statement acknowledging that the pain many people experience during IUD insertion has been routinely under-addressed — and that it’s time for doctors to take that pain seriously.

To which we say: no sh*t.

At Seven Hills Family Medicine, we’ve been saying this for years. If you've ever been dismissed or gaslit about your pain during IUD placement, you're not imagining it. And you're not alone.

What Makes Our IUD Insertion Experience in Richmond, VA Different

We believe in providing reproductive healthcare that is therapeutic, trauma-informed, and patient-led. We know that while IUD insertion is a quick procedure medically, it doesn’t feel quick to your nervous system. That’s why we do everything we can to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Here’s how we do it differently at Seven Hills:

• 🤝 1:1 support from a compassionate nurse who will hold your hand, coach your breathing, and be right beside you the whole time

• 🌬️ Nitrous oxide (aka “laughing gas”) to reduce anxiety and discomfort

• 💉 Lidocaine to numb the cervix

• 💊 High-dose anti-inflammatories — and even narcotic pain medication, when needed

• 🩸 Cervical preparation: We’ll schedule your appointment during your period (when the cervix is naturally more open) or prescribe medication to help soften and prepare your cervix

  
  

  

  Nurse Caci prepares nitrous oxide before an IUD insertion- just one of the tools we use to make the experience gentler and more comfortable for our members.

  
  

Most importantly? We go at your pace. You are in charge every step of the way.

The Bigger Problem Isn’t the Procedure — It’s the System

The truth is, the medical system has a long and ugly history of ignoring pain — especially when it's experienced by women, queer folks, and people of color.

IUD insertion might be quick from a procedural standpoint, but for many patients, it’s a vulnerable moment that deserves more than a brush-off and a pat on the knee. You deserve care that listens, adapts, and centers your experience — not one that minimizes or rushes it.

Why We Can Offer This Level of Care

Because we practice in a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, our visits aren’t rushed. We don’t have to squeeze you into a tight schedule or get pressured by insurance billing requirements. That means your comfort, consent, and agency come first — always.

IUDs are one of the most effective, safe, and long-acting forms of birth control available. You shouldn’t have to be traumatized to access one.

We’re proud to offer an approach that centers your experience. And we hope more providers follow suit — because this overdue acknowledgment from ACOG is just the beginning.

This Service Is for Members Only — Here’s How to Learn More

If you're a member of Seven Hills Family Medicine, we’re here to offer a gentler, more supportive IUD experience. This service is currently available exclusively to our members, because we believe continuity of care and trust are essential when it comes to sensitive procedures like this.

Interested in becoming a member? Learn more about our Direct Primary Care model and how we make space for the kind of thoughtful, unhurried care all patients deserve.

Have questions? Reach out to us through our contact form or email us at info@sevenhillsfamilymedicine.com — we’d love to help.