This video has gone viral for showing how an IUD is actually inserted

A midwife (@midwifemama) has gone viral for posting a TikTok showing how an intrauterine device (IUD) – or the contraceptive coil – is inserted into a person’s uterus. 

The video shows how an IUD is placed in the opening of the cervix through an applicator tube, before being inserted into the uterus where the ‘arms’ of the IUD open up to form a T-shape. 

According to the NHS, IUDs work by releasing copper into the womb, which “alters the cervical mucus,” making it “more difficult for sperm to reach an egg and survive.” The procedure can also “stop a fertilised egg from being able to implant itself.”

The TikTok has quickly amassed over 80k views, prompting people to share their reactions to the educational video. The top comment simply reads, “no thanks,” while another person added, “I’m good with the pill thanks,” and another wrote, “Nope.” 

You can watch it for yourself here: 

Another person commented on the video, “hands down the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced and I’ve given birth.” 

There’s an ongoing debate about the availability of pain relief in procedures which are generally only available to cisgender women and other people with uteruses. 

In June earlier this year, Lucy Cohen – a business woman and co-founder of an accounting firm – launched a petition to lobby the NHS to make pain relief available during these types of procedures.

Having created a poll for people to share their experiences about IUD procedures, Lucy shared the following results: 

“On a pain rating scale of 0-10, 43% of respondents rated their pain as a 7 or higher with the associated descriptions of:

• Extremely painful
• Almost unbearable
• Excruciating
• Several people have reported the pain as worse than childbirth or broken bones.”

The petition currently has over 30,000 signatures. 

In response to the growing concerns about the availability of pain relief during IUD procedures, the Dr Edward Morris, President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists,  released a statement, part of which read: 

“What is concerning to hear is that often women feel they need to endure this pain and stay silent, this should never be the case. If anyone is experiencing extreme pain during any procedure then then they should feel empowered to ask for the procedure to stop, or request pain relief. Nobody should ever feel like they ‘have to’ go through with something, and should never have their concerns dismissed by a healthcare professional.

“Throughout the NHS there are numerous procedures that are safely and effectively performed without anaesthesia every day. What is vital is that all practitioners recognise that we are all different and that whatever the circumstances all patients have the opportunity to consider anaesthesia options – even if that means delaying the procedure or having it performed somewhere else.”

The NHS‘s guidance on using pain relief during IUD procedures currently states:

“Having an IUD fitted can be uncomfortable, and some people might find it painful, but you can have a local anaesthetic to help. Discuss this with a GP or nurse beforehand.

“Let the person fitting your IUD know if you feel any pain or discomfort while you are having it fitted. You can ask to stop at any time.

“You can also take painkillers after having an IUD fitted if you need to.

“You may get period-type cramps afterwards, but painkillers can ease the cramps. You may also bleed for a few days after having an IUD fitted.”

If you are concerned about getting an IUD fitted, it’s recommended to book an appointment with your GP to discuss it in detail. You can find your local GP here.

For more from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.