Paragard IUD Insertion Impossible?

**Saria** · 03-28-2010 02:35 PM

Hi everyone, I'm new to posting but I've read the boards before.

I decided to try the Paragard IUD since it's nonhormonal and highly effective, and I was tired of how birth control pills were destroying my libido. I'm 22 and nulliparous. I endured THREE insertion attempts over the course of 48 hours, and all three times I was on my period.

The first time, I forgot to take any Ibuprofen beforehand and the pain was excruciating. The gynecologist failed to get ANYTHING past my cervix, including the sound they need to figure out the shape/size of your uterus. She just said she couldn't do it, my cervix wouldn't let her.

The next day I went in and was more prepared --- I took 600mg of Ibuprofen and brought my boyfriend. The combination of a better gynecologist, Ibuprofen, and having him there reduced the cervix-jabbing pain to a moderate discomfort. However, the second gyn STILL failed to get anything past my cervix.

She prescribed me a very low dose of Misoprostol to soften and dilate my cervix. I returned to the hospital 2 hours later and we tried again. Though she was able to get past what she called my "outer cervix" she couldn't get anything past the inner cervical area. She said, "I'm sorry, we tried, but it looks like your cervix is just telling us it doesn't want anything stuck up there."

Needless to say, I was/am very upset. I REALLY REALLY want the Paragard because hormonal birth control just messes up my body. My cervix also feels traumatized because it was jabbed and poked so many times over two days.

So, I was wondering if anyone else had any similar difficult IUD insertion stories, especially other nulliparous women? Did anyone have a successful insertion after previous difficulty with the IUD? Any advice? I am going to try insertion again next month during my next period.

**Mes T** · 03-28-2010 04:25 PM

The fact that you've never given birth shouldn't be an issue. I myself have never given birth and didn't even go during my period, and insertion was fine, albeit painful.

I'm really not sure why they're having so much trouble. If it just keeps not working out, have you considered using a cervical cap as a method of birth control?

**Saria** · 03-28-2010 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Mes_T

The fact that you've never given birth shouldn't be an issue. I myself have never given birth and didn't even go during my period, and insertion was fine, albeit painful.

I'm really not sure why they're having so much trouble. If it just keeps not working out, have you considered using a cervical cap as a method of birth control?

Thanks for your response! I've read a lot of happy success stories from a lot of other nulliparous young women, so I know the insertion can be successful.

I'm jealous I haven't experienced the same thing.

I had considered the diaphragm and cervical cap. I am not very happy with their rates of effectiveness, and even my gynecologists have been hesitant to suggestive it positively, mostly for that reason. I know the diaphragm is supposed to be pretty effective "when used properly," but according to my gynecologists they can easily slip and it's hard to tell when you're using them properly. That's not to say condoms are much better in this department...

**Mes T** · 03-28-2010 05:55 PM

I see. Well keep trying for that IUD then. My cervix didn't "want" something shoved up it either, but my doc managed regardless!

Have you ever had any medical problems down there? Just trying to figure out what the deal might be. Or maybe you were stressed and hence clenching everything shut?

**Saria** · 03-28-2010 06:05 PM

I do have a problem experiencing pain during sex. I feel a very sharp sensation at the entrance to my vagina when it's entered, but after a few *ahem* "thrusts" and I relax a little, the pain is gone and I really enjoy the sex. Aside from this and a couple UTIs a year ago, I have not really had any problems down there.

I was very relaxed for the 2nd and 3rd attempts just because my boyfriend was there doing breathing techniques with me. Even the gynecologist said I was being extremely "stoic." :P I was pretty determined to get that thing in me but my cervix just wouldn't cooperate.

I'm going to try again next month for the IUD. I just hope a combination of familiarity with the procedure, maybe a higher dose of the misoprostol, and a gynecologist's determination will win out!

**whealthadv** · 04-28-2010 05:27 AM

SARIA, im 5'0" 103 lbs. 25 years and haven't had a longterm realtionship in 5 years and paragard was an option for me. i had it inserted last week. i might be lucky cause my sister's (age 40) best friend is my gyno and one of the best in dc so maybe she felt more comfortable knowing there would be no suit.... but she got it in there. don't get me wrong, it hurt! not like "im gonna cry" hurt cause its not piercing but more like "im going to rip a hole in the sheet with my grip" hurt (worth all 5 mins to not have to worry about pregnancy etc. for 10 years...). Don't give up hope! Call you General Practitioner and ask for a good reference, they'll know (my granddad, dad, and bro are all docs)! i think her giving me a low dose of cytotec helped with the fact that im a nulliparous woman. lots of docs won't give it to you but there are more reasons for that than i can list... hope this helps because paragard is a GREAT BC option!