What is the reason for abdominal pain after IUD insertion?
The IUD is a commonly used method in China's family planning campaign to encourage women to use contraception. It is a long-term and effective means of contraception for women. Many women feel abdominal pain after having an IUD inserted, but what is the reason for this?
Gynecological experts explain: There may be mild abdominal pain in the first week after IUD insertion, which is very normal. One of the side effects of IUD insertion is that there will be slight pain in the abdomen and waist. The contraceptive ring placed in the uterus is considered a "foreign object" by the uterus. Especially when the ring is too large or its position is too low, the uterus contracts to expel this "foreign object", causing uterine contraction pain. Clinically, it manifests as lower abdominal heaviness and back pain.
Experts remind: Abdominal pain generally occurs in the early stages of IUD insertion and can be managed symptomatically with some painkillers, usually adapting within a few months. However, if the pain is significant, inflammation or infection or allergic reaction to the ring cannot be ruled out, and medical examination should be sought promptly to clarify the cause.
Abdominal pain after IUD insertion can generally be divided into the following three types:
[1] Early pain: Refers to pain occurring during the IUD insertion process and within 10 days after insertion, mostly physiological. Since the ring and insertion device pass through the internal cervical os during insertion, stimulating the internal cervical os and causing uterine contractions leading to spasm-like pain. It may also be due to the patient's nervousness and sensitivity to pain.
[2] Delayed pain: Refers to pain lasting more than 10 days. Generally, the local stimulation effect of IUD insertion and the uterine rejection response can last about 10 days, then gradually adapt, and the pain slowly disappears. Delayed pain usually indicates that the shape of the ring does not match the uterine cavity. The longer the pain persists, the less consistent the ring may be with the uterine cavity.
[3] Late pain: Refers to pain appearing more than 4 weeks after IUD insertion or after the early and delayed pain has subsided. Most cases are pathological and require further investigation to determine the cause, which could be infection, ectopic pregnancy, displacement, deformation, or entrapment of the ring.
This article is excerpted from the official website of Changchun Gynecology Hospital. Original address: http://www.tjfk999.com/biyunjieyu//201104282355.html For more information on gynecological diseases, please visit the official website of Changchun Gynecology Hospital.