Intrauterine Device Insertion Pain Management

Last updated: July 2, 2025
Sponsor: University of Missouri-Columbia
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

4

Condition

N/A

Treatment

Saline 0.9%

Benzocaine 20%

Sham injection

Clinical Study ID

NCT06951191
2101465
  • Ages > 18
  • Female
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if use of topical benzocaine prior to the injection of lidocaine is effective in decreasing pain experienced during IUD insertion in patients 18 or older. The main question it aims to answer is:

Does topical use of benzocaine prior to lidocaine injection during IUD insertion effectively decrease pain experienced?

Researchers will compare benzocaine/lidocaine to benzocaine/placebo, placebo/lidocaine, and placebo/placebo to see if use of benzocaine prior to lidocaine injection works more effectively to decrease pain experienced rather than lidocaine, benzocaine, or placebo use alone.

Participants will:

  • Arrive to clinic for previously scheduled IUD insertion

  • Be screened, approached by research staff, and consented to join the trial

  • Complete a demographic questionnaire

  • Be randomly and blindly assigned to one of four groups

  • Placebo/Placebo

  • Placebo/Lidocaine

  • Benzocaine/Placebo

  • Benzocaine/Lidocaine

  • All groups will be given 600mg of ibuprofen prior to procedure

  • Be asked to rate their pain on a visual scale of 1-10 during several distinct points of the procedure.

  • Be sent an optional survey to their email after the procedure

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older

  • Undergoing IUD insertion

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • IUD insertion <6 weeks postpartum

  • Age <18 years

  • Allergy or history of adverse effect of lidocaine, benzocaine (and inactiveingredients: flavor, isobutane, propane, polyethylene glycol, sodium saccharin), oribuprofen

  • Not undergoing IUD insertion

  • Undergoing IUD insertion under general anesthesia

  • Usage of anti-inflammatory or as-needed anxiety medications (not daily use) in the 12 hours prior to IUD insertion

Study Design

Total Participants: 160
Treatment Group(s): 4
Primary Treatment: Saline 0.9%
Phase: 4
Study Start date:
June 23, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2026

Study Description

The goal of the researchers is to determine if use of a topical benzocaine spray prior to lidocaine injection will cause a significant reduction in pain experienced by patients undergoing an IUD insertion. Participants will be screened, approached, and fully consented by research staff in the clinic prior to their IUD insertion. Demographics will be gathered from all participants through a questionnaire. All participants will be given 600mg of ibuprofen prior to the procedure, but will be randomized into one of 4 groups as to what interventions/placebos they will receive during their insertion. Interventions studied are benzocaine spray and lidocaine injection. Placebos will be saline spray and paracervical needle stick without injection. Participants will be asked to rate their pain on a visual scale of 1-10 at the following timepoints during the procedure:

  • At the time of tenaculum placement

  • At the time of uterine sounding

  • At the time of IUD insertion and deployment

  • Immediately after removal of instrumentation

  • 15 minutes after the procedure Participants who provided an email will be sent an additional questionnaire to be responded to within 24 hours of the procedure. At the conclusion of the trial statistical analysis will be done to determine significance of pain reduction varying between the 4 groups.

Connect with a study center

  • Missouri OB/GYN Associates-Smiley Lane

    Columbia, Missouri 65202
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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