What To Expect During an IUD Insertion (ParaGard IUD or Mirena IUD)

By Dawn Stacey M.Ed, LMHC, About.com Guide

Updated April 30, 2010

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Your health-care professional will have all the equipment prepared to insert the IUD. If you are not within the first 7 days of your period, your doctor may perform a pregnancy test to rule out the possibility of a pregnancy. Your doctor should explain the procedure to you and respond any of your questions and concerns. This can help you to become more relaxed, which makes the insertion easier and less painful.

First, a doctor will usually perform a bimanual examination (this is where your health-care professional inserts two fingers into the vagina and uses the other hand on the abdomen to be able to feel the internal pelvic organs). This is done to accurately determine the position, consistency, size, and mobility of the uterus and identifies any tenderness, which might indicate infection.