Women on TikTok share 'excruciating pain' of IUDs and say doctors never warned them

Most brace for pain or at least discomfort when they go to the , but why aren’t they being adequately warned about this pain beforehand? Women have literally been screaming about the pain they experience from intrauterine device () insertion for years.

While some women feel perfectly fine during and after the procedure, others report cramping and, in many cases, excruciating pain. of women crying, screaming and even fainting from the pain of are all over social media.

One TikTok that went viral captured the excruciating pain many women experience during the procedure, and the disjointedly chipper response of healthcare professionals. In the video, the doctor’s warning with a countdown is met with an immediate and prolonged scream.

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The video is difficult to watch, a close-up view of the pain of IUD insertion and the mundane response from medical professionals in light of this pain. But the most difficult part of the video to stomach, and the most telling about the state of women's experience in the of healthcare, might be the patient’s response: “I’m sorry I’m screaming”.

Social media has become a means for women to educate one another on the procedure and to warn about the pain they may experience. But most importantly, it's become a platform to validate the pain other women may have experienced, which begs the question. Why aren't women forewarned about the pain of the procedure by their doctors and why is it being left to TikTok users to spread the word?

According to Dr. Christine Henneberg, IUD insertion can be downright traumatic and downplaying the pain of the procedure can have lasting consequences on women's relationship with their healthcare professionals.

Dr. Henneberg tells the : "When a woman’s doctor leads her to believe that IUD insertion won’t hurt, then downplays the pain she feels, that woman is less likely to trust her doctor with other aspects of her reproductive health, including and childbirth."

While there is a call to use lidocaine to help women cope with the pain of the procedure, Dr. Henneberg says that a warning from doctors would also make a huge difference. "Women are capable and often quite willing to tolerate pain as an expected part of a medical procedure, when it’s acknowledged and taken seriously. It’s the betrayal that is egregious and permanent — and unlike pain, this betrayal is entirely preventable" say Dr. Henneberg.