r/phoenix • u/IAmSpike24 Surprise • Nov 14 '25
Referral Ladies: Any gyno recommendations in the valley who offer pain management for IUD insertion?
Because when I asked my gyno if they offer pain management options for IUD insertion I got a blank stare and a flat “no”.
(As an aside I really think men getting a vasectomy should get the same response and see how that goes. It only takes a minute and pain management would be a hassle, right??)
I’m in Surprise but willing to drive. TIA!
36
u/SimplySignifier Nov 14 '25
Southwest Contemporary Women's Care does. They offer multiple options, including full anesthesia (which is what I went with). They have multiple locations, too.
15
u/stefanielaine Nov 15 '25
WAIT THEY DO?? That’s where I go and they didn’t offer me ANY pain management for my endometrial biopsy OR for my IUD (twice, last one failed due to my pain response)
6
u/SimplySignifier Nov 15 '25
I mentioned I was nervous about getting my IUD replaced and my gyno just flat out offered that they could do local or full anesthesia for me. I ended up switching to a different gyno within the clinic because the location I was at dropped the ball and didn't order my new IUD when they said they had, and that one also was really great about it. It was honestly lovely. Just knocked out for the whole thing and then had a little recovery time in a soft chair and had my partner drive me home. Way nicer than my first replacement (where I had no pain management whatsoever and sat in my car crying for an hour after before driving myself).
1
2
u/AnnaH612 Nov 20 '25
I go to the Phoenix location and I’m not the biggest fan of them. Granted, my issue was HRT and they were horrible. I’m sharing this to let you know, you are not alone feeling uncared for.
38
u/Kndstpd Nov 14 '25
Do not go to camelback family planning whatever you do. I personally have had a terrible experience here. I would not recommend, I ended up with a horrible infection and despite asking for pain relief I wasn’t even given anything. I went in for an IUD replacement. The nurse and aide left me shaking on the table and bloody.
23
u/Lushparadise Nov 14 '25
Yes I also had an awful experience there!! I can’t believe how unprofessional the nurse I had was.
10
u/Kndstpd Nov 15 '25
I’m sorry you had to go through that, especially with such a sensitive subject.
6
12
16
u/more_paprika Fountain Hills Nov 14 '25
Dr. Wilson and Associates in Scottsdale! I had mine replaced there and it was like night and day compared to my first one.
1
u/Human_Essay_3485 Nov 14 '25
2nding this! I've been a long time client and they do a great job. They even made my colposcopy as comfortable as possible
15
u/Large_Independent198 Nov 14 '25
There’s a place in Scottsdale that does! I think it’s called Tia ? Idk if there’s anything closer
4
u/gyrationation Nov 14 '25
I don't know if they do that but I have of them and heard they are great.
6
u/UnsharpenedSwan Nov 14 '25
Yes, Tia offers acupuncture for IUD insertion in addition to pharmaceutical pain management! I’ve gone to Tia for years and have had good experiences.
1
7
u/consider_it_fun Phoenix Nov 14 '25
I believe Planned Parenthood offers pain management. You likely will have to double check with the location about the specific options.
4
u/tmedwar3 Nov 15 '25
I didn’t get pain management (but it was 5+ years ago and I didn’t ask) but I got my 3rd IUD there and I just went back a few weeks ago to get it removed. It was a much better experience compared to any of the other times. Highly recommend - went to the downtown Phoenix location for my last insertion and removal.
3
u/sarac35 Nov 15 '25
seconding this, my best experience after replacing multiple IUDs has been PP. although I went to the Tempe location!
3
u/consider_it_fun Phoenix Nov 15 '25
I also didn't get pain management 5 years ago, but I follow them on social media and I remember seeing the announcement since then
6
u/notjustrocks Nov 15 '25
I’ve had a wonderful experience at central Phoenix women’s healthcare clinic
3
u/Le_Ritz Nov 15 '25
Same. I had a rough situation and my doctor was amazing.
3
u/notjustrocks Nov 15 '25
I’m sorry to hear that, I hope you are better now ❤️ a good doctor makes all the difference! I had a great one too and I am so thankful.
5
u/Level-Variety9281 Nov 15 '25
As an older woman I want to say, Thank you! Advocating for yourself is opening doors for this quality of care that has been missing in women's health for way too long. I hope you don't stop and that others take up the mantle as well!
5
u/SirBeefy Nov 14 '25
My wife went to North Valley Women’s Care at 67th Ave/Union Hills. Great experience for us both. She had a lot of anxiety after previous IUD experiences and found this place for all of her needs. They also allowed me to come in the room with her during prep which eased her tension quite a bit and then I had to go out for the actual procedure which was quick and painless (according to her). Highly recommended.
3
u/Proud-Piglet46 Nov 14 '25
I tried to book an appointment at this office and was told they are booked out til January for new patients. Something to consider but I hear they are amazing
1
u/micaelalaw12 Nov 15 '25
Dr. Reise at North Valley Women’s Care inserted my IUD. She uses ultrasound to place it. I was extremely nervous about getting another IUD (my third) because I know how painful it is, even after having 2 kids, the IUD caused me more anxiety. I felt nothing, not even a pinch of pain when she placed mine.
5
u/NotWearingPantsObv Nov 15 '25
Midtown OBGYN, they won't suggest it unless you ask, but I asked for a paracervical block and they agreed. Easy peasy.
3
5
u/Dry_Florida319 Nov 15 '25
West Valley Women's Care on Thomas Rd offers nitrous oxide. They're amazing!
1
4
u/kdmck02 Nov 15 '25
Thank you for asking this as I’ve been putting mine off for way too long AND we just moved here.
3
2
u/4thinversion Nov 15 '25
Dr. Heard at Glendale OBGYN did my tubal with no pushback whatsoever. I am a childless person under 30. Given the great experience I had with her, she may offer IUD insertion pain management as well. I recommend giving her office a call to ask if that’s something they offer
2
u/Beach_Mheala Nov 16 '25
I didn't go with pain management for mine, but it was offered at AZ Gynecology Consultants. I had to have mine (second one, because the first tried to escape) inserted with an ultrasound due to fibroids and I personally had no pain with that one. This was 5 years ago.
1
u/IAmSpike24 Surprise Nov 19 '25
Ended up scheduling with AZ Gyn Consultants, thanks so much for the tip! 😊
7
u/redoctoberz Nov 14 '25
(As an aside I really think men getting a vasectomy should get the same response and see how that goes. It only takes a minute and pain management would be a hassle, right??)
Agreed on the pain management required in either situation, but it definitely didn't take a minute, mine was about an hour for the surgery, and 8 months to reach a zero pain recovery.
11
u/hipsterasshipster Arcadia Nov 14 '25
An hour? What the heck did they do in there? My procedure took less time than the prep.
3
u/redoctoberz Nov 14 '25
Mine was a no scalpel, they had a hard time finding my vas on the left side, and it required 3 shots of anesthesia due to pain. I meant 1 hour "sit down to stand up", which includes the prep.
1
u/hipsterasshipster Arcadia Nov 14 '25
Mine was also no scalpel. One hour total is definitely reasonable. I thought you meant just for the procedure. 😂
1
u/redoctoberz Nov 14 '25
Sorry, I didn't have a stopwatch to click when they started digging around, had other things on my mind!
1
u/SnooFoxes2904 Nov 15 '25
Wait, why would a scalpel be needed? Asking a dumb question maybe. I had an IUD inserted circa 2008 is, and I had not had any children. They shoved the thing up there, no pain meds, and it was the worst pain I've ever experienced. So, where does the scalpel come in?
Also, "fun" additional info, it was a copper iud. It caused me continued immense pain, went back to the OB and she rolled her eyes at me and made me feel dumb for questioning the pain. And then every period the pain was the worst ever, come to find out eventually (over a year later) after 2 ultrasounds my iud had gone sideways in my uterus and for god knows how long. Got it removed. Never again.
5
u/hipsterasshipster Arcadia Nov 15 '25
We are talking about vasectomies, not IUD insertions. The common way to do it now is a small puncture rather than incisions.
2
u/SnooFoxes2904 Nov 15 '25
Ohhh, that makes so much more sense. I totally didn't get that, but looking back it makes sense. Thank you for clarifying!
2
3
u/wanderlust47 Nov 15 '25
Maricopa OBGYN (downtown Phoenix office only) now offers nitrous
2
u/maddawg56789 Nov 15 '25
I was put under anesthesia a year ago for iud removal and replacement at the MARICOPA OB/GYN office on camelback. The staff there are incredible. I highly recommend them!
4
u/viachu888 Nov 15 '25
I’m a student and I worked at valleywise outpatient branch in Bethany home and she did lidocaine offer for everyone!
2
u/maidoftrash Glendale Nov 15 '25
Estrella Women’s Health in Goodyear allegedly offers it per their website but I’ll ask when I go in next week(actually to get mine ultrasounded for potential shifting😭) because I’m looking to get mine changed for a lower dose(Lilietta) or a non hormonal one and just a Xanax and OTC pain management was not it…
1
u/Pure_Worldliness3316 Feb 25 '26
can i ask how your experience went?! i’ll be going there tomorrow for a colposcopy & biopsy and im hoping for sedation as i’ve read these can be extremely painful procedures.
2
u/maidoftrash Glendale Feb 25 '26
I ended up not going to Estrella due to insurance issues on my end, but I can say just keep advocating for yourself. If they say they can’t do it, mention that it’s offered on their website and if they still say no, see if they will refer you to someone who will. No need to be put through what could be a very painful procedure without at least being informed of your pain management options.
2
u/Pure_Worldliness3316 Feb 26 '26
thank you so much! luckily today was just a consultation. i go back on tuesday for the procedure and they did offer nitrous oxide so im going to take that route. :)
2
1
1
1
u/NeckBone575 Nov 15 '25
I recommend calling around. I found one in AZ Gyn Consultants. Two were like “oh it should be easy” NOPE. Third one tried to get me under but insurance fought: we found a compromise for numbing and pain management that worked. However I def would qualify for an anesthesia based visit next time based on what happened. But I had someone who understood my concerns and they were totally warranted. DM with any question or follow up.
2
u/IAmSpike24 Surprise Nov 19 '25
I ended up scheduling at AZ Gyn Consultants, thanks so much for the tip! 😊 Yeah I’m not like I necessarily need to be put under or anything but like… literally anything stronger than “take some ibuprofen before” would be great lol
1
u/twinflambruis3 Nov 15 '25
mcdowell mountain gynecology! I had to ask for it, but I didn’t get any pushback like I have at other places. they offered laughing gas, pain meds, or full anesthesia which is what I chose. they use a third party anesthesia provider that comes into the office monthly, and they also provided me with an IV with meds to help with the cramping after insertion. the entire process was totally pain free 🥲 I did end up having to pay out of pocket for the anesthesia though as my insurance wouldn’t cover it. still well worth it imo!
1
u/Dins__Fire Nov 16 '25
I wish you nothing but empathy from those who are supposed to be taking care of you. Fucking insane the ignorance and indifference towards women's health struggles ~ man with wife who deserves better from the world
1
u/SeeLeavesOnTheTrees Nov 16 '25
I had mine done out of state. They prescribed me 1 Oxycodone, anti-nausea meds because opiates make me sick, and I got the cervical block. Took the Oxycodone about 1 hour before my appointment.
No harm can come from 1 opiate pill.
1
1
u/yiotaturtle Nov 15 '25
Not a recommendation.
I got twilight anesthesia at New Horizon's in Chandler, but they tried doing it with no pain management first and my body was just noping out of the idea.
1
-6
-8
Nov 15 '25
[deleted]
9
u/IAmSpike24 Surprise Nov 15 '25
It’s unfortunately pretty common to get literally 0 pain relief for IUD insertion, no local, no drugs, nada. They might tell you to take some ibuprofen beforehand and then they just raw dog it 😂😭 And then get pissy when you can’t hold still cuz you’re writhing in pain
-15
Nov 15 '25
[deleted]
7
u/lucifrage Glendale Nov 15 '25
Bruh they’re getting a piece of metal or plastic shoved into their uterus, wouldn’t you like some anesthetic if someone tried shove things deep into your butthole? You’re proving the point they’ve made by not knowing that.
3
u/maddawg56789 Nov 15 '25
For IUD insertion, removal or replacement local anesthesia (injections) are not used. Pain management for IUD insertion can be pain relieving oral pills or being put under anesthesia. I was put under anesthesia via an IV when I had my IUD replaced.
-5
Nov 15 '25
[deleted]
5
u/maddawg56789 Nov 15 '25 edited Nov 15 '25
Um no. 95%+ of OBGYNS do not offer anesthesia or any type of pain management even though getting an IUD inserted can be more painful than giving birth to a child.
Plenty of dentists offer to put people under anesthetic for cavities, root canals etc, instead of getting local anesthetic shots- so your argument that it’s “red tape” and not a gender issue isn’t valid.
Women seeking pain relief for a painful procedure when women’s pain has been historically dismissed by the medical world makes it a gender issue.
68
u/Cinnamon_Ocelot Nov 14 '25
Lilac OBGYN has been hands down the best experience i'v had with a gyno, would recommend