Empathy Through Pain Control: Lidocaine Gel vs. Placebo Prior to IUD Placement

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · May 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Empathy Through Pain Control," aims to understand how different types of numbing gels affect pain levels during the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) in women who have never given birth. The study will compare a lidocaine gel, which numbs the area, to a regular gel that doesn’t contain medication. Researchers are also interested in how patients feel about the empathy shown by their healthcare providers during this procedure.

To participate, women aged 18-50 who are English-speaking and seeking an IUD for contraception or heavy menstrual bleeding may be eligible. It’s important that participants have never given birth and do not have a history of certain medical issues, like chronic pain or substance use. If you join the study, you can expect to receive either the numbing gel or the non-medicated gel before the IUD placement, and your experience and pain levels will be monitored. Overall, this research may help improve pain management and the care experience for future patients.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Ability to provide informed consent
• • 2. Women presenting for IUD placement for contraception or heavy menstrual bleeding
• • 3. Ages 18-50
• • 4. English-speaking
• • 5. Participants must not have a past medical history of substance use disorders, pain disorders, use of prescription pain medications or are found to be pregnant
• • 6. Nulliparous (never given birth)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. History of ever giving birth
• • 2. Current use of prescription pain medication prior to procedure. Over-the-counter medications such as those containing ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, or naproxen are allowed.
• • 3. Diagnosed chronic pain condition
• • 4. Current pregnancy
• • 5. Known allergic reactions to components of the local anesthetic
• • 6. History of an IUD placement
• • 7. Current substance use or history of substance use
• • 8. Known contraindications to IUD, such as unexplained vaginal bleeding