.png)
.jpg)
Not Just A Pinch:
Pain relief is not a luxury,
it is a right!
Having an Intrauterine Device (IUD) placed is not a painless procedure. It is uncomfortable at best, painful for most, and traumatizing for some. Currently, there are no standardized practice guidelines for evaluating and planning for pain management during the insertion of an IUD in British Columbia.
We know everyone experiences pain differently. There is a long-standing and systemic minimization of the pain experienced by individuals undergoing gynecological experiences. The good news is that there are many options to minimize the pain associated with this procedure!
We are calling on the Government of BC to:
-
Set Clear Provincial Standards: Develop and implement BC-specific clinical guidelines for IUD insertions that standardize pain management protocols, establish mandatory competency-based training requirements for all practitioners (including those with expanded practice scope), and address the cultural minimization of gynecologic pain.
-
Remove Financial Barriers and Fix Billing Codes: Implement appropriate Medical Services Plan (MSP) billing mechanisms for pain control interventions during IUD insertions, remove structural disincentives for quality care, and ensure equitable access to pain management regardless of geographic location or provider.
-
Improve Training and Education: Work with educational institutions to develop and implement standardized, competency-based training for all practitioners who perform IUD insertions. This training should include pain management techniques, trauma-informed approaches, and cultural sensitivity. Make this training mandatory across all healthcare disciplines authorized to perform IUD insertions.
-
Ensure Regional Equity: Implement strategies for equitable access to pain management during IUD insertions across all regions by establishing standardized provincial protocols that make pain management options mandatory rather than discretionary, increasing funding for underserved areas, deploying mobile health services to reach remote communities, and providing telemedicine support to help local providers deliver consistent pain management.
.jpg)