Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective long-acting contraceptives. However, pain associated with insertion deters some women and impacts satisfaction. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of local anesthetics, misoprostol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAI...

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Main Authors: Reem Altamimi, Rawan Bin Salamah, Ebtesam Almajed, Alya AlZabin, Lama Alzelfawi, Wijdan AlMutiri, Amer Alkinani, Lamya Almusharaf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Women
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/5/1/2
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author Reem Altamimi
Rawan Bin Salamah
Ebtesam Almajed
Alya AlZabin
Lama Alzelfawi
Wijdan AlMutiri
Amer Alkinani
Lamya Almusharaf
author_facet Reem Altamimi
Rawan Bin Salamah
Ebtesam Almajed
Alya AlZabin
Lama Alzelfawi
Wijdan AlMutiri
Amer Alkinani
Lamya Almusharaf
author_sort Reem Altamimi
collection DOAJ
description Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective long-acting contraceptives. However, pain associated with insertion deters some women and impacts satisfaction. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of local anesthetics, misoprostol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and conscious sedation for managing pain associated with IUD insertion. A comprehensive database search including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest was conducted from inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs assessing interventions for IUD insertion pain were included. Case reports, non-randomized studies, and non-English papers were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted data on pain outcomes and adverse effects. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools. Thirty-nine RCTs (<i>n</i> = 12,345 women) met the inclusion criteria. Topical lidocaine effectively reduced pain on consistent findings across multiple high-quality RCTs. Misoprostol pretreatment facilitated easier insertions through cervical ripening. However, evidence for NSAIDs was inconclusive, with some RCTs finding no additional benefits versus placebo. Results also remained unclear for nitrous oxide conscious sedation due to variability in protocols. Nulliparity predicted higher reported pain consistently. Lidocaine and misoprostol show promise for minimizing IUD insertion pain and difficulty. Further optimization is required to standardize conscious sedation and fully evaluate NSAIDs. Improving pain management may increase favorable experiences and uptake of this reliable method.
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spelling doaj-art-c44a954e8a2b40d4947423a3698ee4152025-08-20T02:10:25ZengMDPI AGWomen2673-41842025-01-0151210.3390/women5010002Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic ReviewReem Altamimi0Rawan Bin Salamah1Ebtesam Almajed2Alya AlZabin3Lama Alzelfawi4Wijdan AlMutiri5Amer Alkinani6Lamya Almusharaf7College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaKing Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh 14611, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaIntrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective long-acting contraceptives. However, pain associated with insertion deters some women and impacts satisfaction. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of local anesthetics, misoprostol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and conscious sedation for managing pain associated with IUD insertion. A comprehensive database search including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest was conducted from inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs assessing interventions for IUD insertion pain were included. Case reports, non-randomized studies, and non-English papers were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted data on pain outcomes and adverse effects. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools. Thirty-nine RCTs (<i>n</i> = 12,345 women) met the inclusion criteria. Topical lidocaine effectively reduced pain on consistent findings across multiple high-quality RCTs. Misoprostol pretreatment facilitated easier insertions through cervical ripening. However, evidence for NSAIDs was inconclusive, with some RCTs finding no additional benefits versus placebo. Results also remained unclear for nitrous oxide conscious sedation due to variability in protocols. Nulliparity predicted higher reported pain consistently. Lidocaine and misoprostol show promise for minimizing IUD insertion pain and difficulty. Further optimization is required to standardize conscious sedation and fully evaluate NSAIDs. Improving pain management may increase favorable experiences and uptake of this reliable method.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/5/1/2intrauterine devicesIUD insertionpain managementlocal anestheticsconscious sedation
spellingShingle Reem Altamimi
Rawan Bin Salamah
Ebtesam Almajed
Alya AlZabin
Lama Alzelfawi
Wijdan AlMutiri
Amer Alkinani
Lamya Almusharaf
Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review
Women
intrauterine devices
IUD insertion
pain management
local anesthetics
conscious sedation
title Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review
title_full Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review
title_short Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review
title_sort use of local anesthetic agents and conscious sedation in intrauterine device insertion a systematic review
topic intrauterine devices
IUD insertion
pain management
local anesthetics
conscious sedation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/5/1/2
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