Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Pain Reduction During Intrauterine Device (IUD) Insertion in Outpatient Gynecology

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center60 enrolled

Overview

Pain with intrauterine device (IUD) insertion is very common and there are few options for patients to help reduce this pain. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulators (TENS) are a non-invasive procedure that may help reduce the pain with IUD insertions. The investigators hope that the information gleaned from this study will result in pain control options for future patients who desire an IUD placement.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

IUD Insertion Pain

Interventions

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)DEVICE

All patients will have the TENS unit applied: 2 pads from channel 1 will be at T10-L1 and the second set of pads will be from S2-S4; 5 minutes prior to the start of the procedure. Patients will have the TENS unit turned on and half will have the TENS unit turned on to a 80 hz preset frequency with 100 mA as the pulse width.

Placebo Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)DEVICE

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-45 years old * Individuals with a cervix and uterus * Seeking intrauterine device (IUD) placement for contraception or management of abnormal uterine bleeding * Meet medical eligibility for IUD placement * Ability to consent in English * Ability to use the visual analogue scale (VAS) Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications to IUD placement * Use of analgesics within the last 4 hours prior to IUD placement * Presence of a pacemaker

Locations (1)

University Hospitals

Cleveland, Ohio, United States