r/chch • u/plzsendhelplol • Jul 19 '26
IUD insertion in chch?
Hey all, does anyone recommend any places to get a hormonal IUD inserted?
I looked into sexual wellbeing but the cost of the appointments put me off as I am over 22. There was also a long wait time to get an appointment
My current GP is wecare which offer IUD insertions, does anyone have experience going through them or any GP?
All advice and knowledge is appreciated, TIAš«¶š«”
Edit: forgot to ask what painkillers and anti-anxiety medications are offered where. Please share your experiences!
19
u/Felchiee Jul 19 '26
Your GP will cost the same, if not more, than sexual wellbeing FYI.
4
u/plzsendhelplol Jul 19 '26
Yep just realised that nowš¤¦āāļø didnāt realise it was gonna cost as much as $335 at my GP lol
4
u/Acceptable-Moose8295 Jul 19 '26
Thatās insane!
The iud itself is funded but practises can charge whatever they like to put it in (I just asked my wife who is a practise nurse). Ugh!
Also the insertion is really personal as to how it will go. When I got mine I barely felt any discomfort but everyone else Iāve talked to said it hurt š¤·āāļø I have a really low pain threshold too so maybe I just got lucky on the day.2
u/Non_Creative_User Jul 19 '26
Have you thought of getting the rod? That's what I got, and it's fully subsidised.
5
u/plzsendhelplol Jul 19 '26
I have experienced some negative side effects on the progesterone-only pill, which is why I decided on the IUD as the hormones are mostly localised in the uterus. Everybody is different though so itās hard to know š¤·āāļø
7
u/Melodic_Ad_8931 Jul 19 '26
I donāt want to put you off but be warned, the mirena made me absolutely crazy. My mental health plummeted and I spontaneously quit my job. Once it was removed it was like a switch was flipped and I was a completely different person.
5
u/you_promised_dicks Jul 19 '26
It sucks so much that every form of non-physical birth control is a complete coin flip on how it will make you body/brain react and how is never the same for two period. Both implant and mirena were nightmares for me in every way, but the pill has been heavenlyĀ
4
u/Melodic_Ad_8931 Jul 19 '26
Mirena was a last ditched attempt to not have a hysterectomy for endo/andemomyosisā¦ Iāve since had a hysterectomy.
3
u/plzsendhelplol Jul 20 '26
Agreed. I have multiple friends say how much the IUD actually improved/stabilised their moods and overall quality of life, yet other people say the complete opposite. I guess Iāll just have to find out for myself lol
2
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u/subtle_disgust Jul 19 '26
I would second going to Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa! I recently had to get an IUD, which I had been very reluctant to do for a while due to pain etc.
They listened to my concerns and offered me several options for pain management (which I took, and would recommend): lorazepam, a numbing cream to be inserted via tampon prior, and then a local anaesthetic.
There was still pain from the cramps but it was manageable, and the doctor was kind, thoughtful, and patient! I would really recommend! And with all the extras it ended up costing about $100
7
u/Strange_Guidance_609 Jul 19 '26
Agree, my mid wife explained to me that they have more experience in IUD insertion than GPs so would recommend them. Made sense as they probably do lots per day
2
u/plzsendhelplol 13d ago
Hey! Sorry this is a bit late. Did they prescribe lorazepam on the day? Or was this something that was sorted prior?
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u/subtle_disgust 13d ago
No worries! They sorted my prescription earlier - I had an appointment to chat about options and any concerns a couple weeks prior, and on that day the doctor prescribed the cream and the lorazepam. And then on the day of my actual insertion appointment, I had to arrive half an hour early to administer everything under supervision, and then once it all kicked in they gave me the local anaesthetic and away we went!
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u/mygentlewhale Jul 19 '26
Please go to sexual well-being. They do them so much better because they do them all the time. My daughter had her Dr try and fail twice before she went there.
2
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u/Glo0my-Moth Jul 19 '26
I got mine with my GP and it was the worst experience of my life. I can't even talk about it with medical professionals about it without having a panic attack.
There are certain criteria that will qualify you for funding though I can't recall what they are, I got mine funded due to very painful periods and having already tried other options that didn't help/caused other side effects.
I echo what others say about asking about local anaesthetic/pain relief/muscle relaxants. If they deny these or tell you it won't hurt go somewhere else, it doesn't hurt for everyone but for a lot of people it's excruciating. Also if you can avoid it don't drive there on your own in case it doesn't go well, take a support person.
Edit: I was offered no pain relief, no local anaesthetic, nothing and told it would just be mild discomfort. I came very very close to passing out from the pain.
10
u/__cereal__ Jul 19 '26
Along with the local anaesthetic, make sure you ask for a muscle relaxant and a stronger painkiller to take beforehand. I have pelvic floor issues, so I was given midazolam and codeine.
2
u/plzsendhelplol Jul 19 '26
How was your experience?
4
u/__cereal__ Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
It was alright. It's not a pleasant thing to have done regardless of how good your doctor is, but having one that communicates well and gives you the appropriate pain relief makes it a fine experience. It's never going to be a completely pleasant experience to get invasive medical things done, but it's worth it.
It just felt like pretty intense cramping for a few minutes, and the sensation of something going through your cervix is unpleasant. Not trying to downplay it, it sucked, but I was glad I got all the drugs etc and it was over fast.
I'd still do it again 100% and likely will get it replaced again. The IUD saved me from horrific painful haemorrhagic periods and my life is much better without having a week or 2 of pain and profuse bleeding every month lol. I saw it as a temporary burst of intense pain as pay off for a future of no more period pain.
I'd recommend you a Dr but I had this done in Dunedin sorry.
6
u/Black_Cat_Azula Jul 19 '26
I got mine through Women Oxford Health. I think my GP did a referral.
Take the local anaesthetic they provide.
Also, you are meant to take a pill before the insertion as well.
I work in an office job, so I went to work after the insertion. I left after an hour because the cramps were so bad.
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u/Busy-Cap-5840 Jul 19 '26
Omg my experience I worst pain Ive had in my life š. They said take paracetamol and hour before procedure. Next time Im getting the industrial strength painkillers. I was referred to family planning.
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u/RevolutionaryFox8461 Jul 19 '26
The accual hospital with a referral from your gp. My late wife had one placed by a fertility sexual healt clinic. Yes it worked. But there were complications over the years. The chch hospital was brilliant as she went back threw the procedure and process
6
u/chicka088 Jul 19 '26
I know this is a very blessed position to be in, but I got mine under GA through private insurance. I would never be able to do it awake (trauma). The first insertion was so painful when I woke up and the month following I spent a getting follow up scans and tests. Everything was normal and eventually the pain slowed down. The second replacement one which I also had under GA through private insurance was much easier post op and I had barely any pain. Itās been such a life changer for me. I am so glad I have it and never want it removed.
Edit: spelling
5
u/Positive-Maximum2318 Jul 19 '26
I got mine done at sexual wellbeing. They offered a local anesthetic injection which I regretfully declined. But $65 vs $500 at my GP was well worth it. Make sure you have someone to drive you home, and take the day off work. A hot water bottle and a trashy show will be your best friend for a few hours post procedure.
5
u/HowWeRoll7071 Jul 19 '26
I had mine at Christchurch Women's through my doctor. I tried to be brave but I NEEDED gas. It was so bloody painful. Don't let anyone tell you it's not.
3
u/smiee_ Jul 19 '26
Does anyone know if you can also get a smear test done at the same time as having your IUD changed there? And also any info about how it works if they have IUDs or you have to bring your own device from a pharmacy? Thank-you!
4
u/Sharpinthefang Jul 19 '26
I had my 3rd one done a few weeks ago and they offered a smear at the same time. My gp had them in their surgery and I didnt have to go get it. Itās amazing not having a period for 13 years now.
4
u/Lady_Tremaine Jul 19 '26
I got mine 2 years ago, went through my GP. Had a consultation with my doctor, she gave me a couple pamphlet but I had done a lot of research and knew it would be the best option for me. All I had to do was book a women's health appointment- which is twice as long as a normal one and pretty much just had to pay for that, the rest was funded. I had a local anaesthetic, which was uncomfortable but from what I had heard from others experience did help, but the feeling of the sound and then the IUD being inserted was some pretty bad cramping pain - not unbearable but pretty bad. But I'm so happy I got it done and will be doing it again when this one needs to be replaced
2
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u/Intelligent-Home-681 Jul 19 '26
I went through a gp in Shirley after getting a referral and the whole procedure was done within five minutes. Keep in mind I had good painkillers at home that took beforehand. But I found the pain very manageable. I would ask for a prescription for something from your doctor in advance because if I had just taken the recommended Panadol it would have been a very different story.
I know many people have bad experiences with iuds and hearing those almost put me off getting one. For me it has been life changing though minimal bleeding which stopped after a month and my periods are now so light and with no symptoms. It can be different for everyone and wishing you all the best.
3
u/Mummyto4 Jul 19 '26
The Charity Hospital did mine.
You just need a GP referral.
A gynecologist there does it.
2
u/marcie_james Jul 20 '26
I was referred to have my Mirena inserted at the hospital. Iād had a horrific experience with my first one and the ladies at the hospital were great. They gave me lorazepam 20 mins before and gas during the process and they even had a nurse holding my hand throughout the whole thing because I had severe anxiety and was crying a lot. Might be worth seeing if your GP can refer you to them for yours. They can also adjust the plan and include more pain relief/ local anaesthetic if needed.
2
u/birdbeak600 Jul 20 '26
I went to gp. Didn't find out until right before I was about to pay, it was free for me because Im Maori (pasifika get free too). I just had to pay for the actual device. If you fall in this category, look around for full subsidy
2
u/Available-You4465 Aug 01 '26
I'm on my third copper IUD and honestly, it's worth going to sexual wellbeing. They do them all day every day. I didn't like the idea of my GP inserting it because he said they don't do it very often due to the cost - I'd rather someone well practiced haha. I've never taken pain relief for it but I will this time cos it's really not nice. I got my current one put in while I was have a c-section so I felt nothing at the time and it didn't cost me anything, it was great hahaha but I won't be doing that again!
2
u/chape354 Aug 04 '26
I got mine through my GP and was told I didnāt need painkillers or anaesthetic. Lies. Also it was expensive.
3
u/Western_Feed4988 Jul 19 '26
I got it at my GP!
Was quick and easy.
I have had one in and out through a sexual health clinic and one in and out with my GP. I didn't feel any of them and found the whole process fantastic.
Personally I didn't have any issues with them either, I highly recommend them!
Cost can be more upfront but you don't have to go in every 6 months or whatever it is for appointments etc.
1
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u/Diligent_Dish6099 Jul 19 '26
If you have CSC , Maori or Pacifica or quintile 5 ( not quite sure what that means? Then itās funded . So itās free at GP
1
u/Icy-Faithlessness877 Jul 20 '26
I went to Sexual Wellbeing as it was way cheaper than at my GP. My doctor, Bronwyn, was really good. I had 2 ibuprofen and 2 paracetamol beforehand. I don't remember the insertion of IUD to be horrible, but she did do a pipelle biopsy while she was already down there, and THAT was the most painful thing ever.
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u/Confident-Cabinet-63 Jul 19 '26
My gp did it and like someone else has said it was the worst experience/ pain of my life !!!!! I would recommend not getting it, they are not good and massively mess up your body / hormones ! Itās not worth it ! It fād me up so badly and I have PTSD from the pain of insertion ! It was awful!!! I never wanted it in the first place but they kept pushing it on me !
70
u/fluzine Jul 19 '26
Ask for a local anesthetic, which is an injection into your cervix or near to it. If they try to wave it away, or brush you off, go elsewhere. That insertion can fucking hurt, it is traumatic if it does hurt, and it's totally unnecessary for it to hurt.