Use of Paracervical Blocks for Patients Who Undergo Intrauterine Device Insertion

How often and in which contexts are paracervical blocks included in intrauterine device (IUD) insertion procedures?In this cross-sectional study of 13 702 IUD insertions at a large academic health system, a paracervical block was used in 5311 insertions (39%), with wide variation across specialties and clinics. Rates of paracervical block use were lower among clinicians in pediatrics and adolescent medicine specialties.These findings suggest that supporting clinicians’ access to training and modifying clinic infrastructures (eg, supplies and guidelines) may improve patients’ access to pain control in this common gynecologic procedure.

Corresponding Author: Jacquelyn M. Roger PhD, Genentech Hall N472, 600 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94158 (jacquelyn.roger@ucsf.edu).

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