Abstract
Objective: Concern about pain during placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) represents a barrier to use, especially among nulliparous women. We hypothesized that nitroglycerin gel applied vaginally 30 min prior to IUD placement would reduce insertion-related pain. Study design: We designed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 0.5-mg nitroglycerin gel (1 mL) or identical placebo gel applied vaginally in nulliparous women 30 min prior to IUD placement. The study was limited to women who opted for the levonorgestrel- releasing intrauterine system. Subjects completed a series of 100-mm visual analogue scales at several time points. The primary outcome was subject-reported pain with passage of the IUD through the cervix. Secondary outcomes included subject-reported pain at other time points, provider-reported ease of insertion, side effects, adverse events and need for additional dilation. Results: A total of 24 women were randomized. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The mean pain score with IUD deployment was 55.0 mm [standard deviation (SD) = 29.7 mm] in the placebo group and 57.4 mm (SD 22.1 mm) in the nitroglycerin group (p=.82). There was no difference in ease of insertion reported by providers. Two subjects required dilation, one in each group. Conclusion: Vaginal administration of 0.5-mg nitroglycerin gel 30 min prior to IUD placement does not appear to decrease patient-reported procedural pain among nulliparous women or ease of insertion for providers.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 60-65 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Contraception |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2014 |
Keywords
- Intrauterine device
- Nitric oxide donor
- Pain
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology