The CDC's new IUD guidance is progress for female pain

America's health care system is inherently sexist, especially when it comes to pain. “The concerns expressed through social media have helped us understand the importance of having that conversation.” Notably, in the guidance, the CDC suggests that healthcare providers use the new directives to support “person-centered contraceptive counseling” and “remove unnecessary medical barriers to accessing and using contraception.” “Barriers to IUD use include patient concerns about anticipated pain with placement and provider concerns about ease of placement,” the CDC states. When asked if the public commentary via media and social media influenced the CDC to issue this new guidance, Antoinette Nguyen, MD, a medical officer in CDC's Division of Reproductive Health, told Salon via email “no.” “CDC revises its contraceptive guidance periodically after review of the scientific evidence and gathering input from national experts,” Nguyen said. In the new update, “CDC retained both of those recommendations and added a new recommendation that topical lidocaine might also be useful for reducing patient pain.” “The update adds more information about the importance of engaging patients in a person-centered discussion on pain management prior to IUD placement,” Nguyen said. “And then when we pass an instrument through that internal cervical opening, that's typically the other part of the procedure that's uncomfortable.” We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism Espey said the CDC’s latest guidelines are a “great advance,” especially the recommendation to physicians to have a conversation about pain management with the patient.