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NCT Number: NCT07290517

Assessing Pain and Effectiveness of Carevix Device for IUD Insertions

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate patient-reported pain, bleeding, and device efficiency along with provider satisfaction and ease of use between IUD insertions using a suction cervical stabilizer (new device, FDA approved, atraumatic) and single-tooth tenaculum (standard, traumatic). Our aims are to:

* assess and compare patient-reported pain during IUD insertion between the Carevix device and tenaculum. * assess predictors of pain scores including between nulliparous and multiparous patients * assess provider-reported ease of use and satisfaction

Participants (including providers) will:

* be randomized to receive one device to complete the IUD procedure * complete a survey following the procedure

Recruiting

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Indiana University Hospital

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Alissa M Conklin, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

317-944-8231

About this study

The primary objective is to assess and compare patient-reported pain during IUD insertion between the Carevix device and tenaculum. The hypothesis is that patient-reported pain scores comparing Carevix™ to tenaculum will be lower. The investigators will assess pain, and predictors for pain scores including nulliparous vs multiparous, when highest pain scores are reported, and expectation of pain for the procedure.

The secondary objective will be to assess Usability (provider assessment of ease of use, number of device placement attempts to secure sufficient traction on uterus), efficacy (ability to insert IUD with Carevix™ device alone without recourse to conventional tenaculum or other instruments), provider reported bleeding (cervical bleeding and ecchymosis), overall provider satisfaction, patient-reported pain scores at device placement prior to IUD insertion procedure and after completion of IUD insertion using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), overall patient satisfaction, and overall provider satisfaction. The investigators aim to expand the pilot trial data collection to assess cultural background, ethnicity and demographics while also assessing prior contraceptive choices, reasons for discontinuation of prior choices and reasons for current selection of IUD insertion and any anticipated barriers for removal.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

(to be assessed prior to procedure):

  • Age 18 years or older
  • Able to consent on their own
  • Scheduled and will undergo an IUD insertion within 90 days of consent
  • Planned use of cervical stabilization device for placement
  • Procedure being performed by a trained provider
  • Provider is willing to use Carevix™ for scheduled procedure

Exclusion criteria

(to be assessed by provider at time of procedure):

  • Vaginal bleeding of unknown origin
  • Cervix less than 26 mm in diameter
  • Nabothian cyst on anterior lip of cervix
  • Cervical myomas
  • Cervical abnormalities/shape
  • Pregnant
  • Participants who are not fluent in and/or do not fully understand, read, write, or speak the English language
  • Other inability to provide informed consent to participate
  • Initial attempt to place the IUD without any cervical stabilization

Treatment and study plan

Carevix

Device

Vacuum cervical stabilization device

Tenaculum

Device

Standard of care cervical stabilization device

Primary outcomes

  1. Patient pain score

    Time frame: During Procedure (at Cervix Grasping, at Cervix Traction, and at IUD placement)

    Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable."

  2. Difference in Pain Score

    Time frame: Prior to procedure, during procedure (at cervix grasping, at cervix traction, at IUD placement), and 5 minutes after procedure completion

    Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable." Pain scores will be compared among nulliparous and multiparous participants

  3. Highest Pain Score

    Time frame: Prior to procedure, during procedure (at cervix grasping, at cervix traction, at IUD placement), and 5 minutes after procedure completion

    Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable." The time at which the highest pain score was reported will be compared.

  4. Expectation of Pain

    Time frame: Within 15 minutes after IUD procedure completion

    Participants will be asked to rate their expectation of pain on a scale of 0-10, with 0 = no pain expected.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Provider device satisfaction - Time to Use Device

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD procedure

    Providers will be asked to provide their agreement that procedure time was not extended due to the device use on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"

  2. Provider device satisfaction - Impact on Patient Discomfort

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

    Providers will be asked whether the device's use impacted patient discomfort on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree."

  3. Provider device satisfaction - Device Preference

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

    Providers will be asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the device on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"

  4. Provider device satisfaction - Procedure Visibility

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

    Providers will be asked to rate visibility while using the device on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"

  5. Provider device satisfaction - Pulling Strength

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

    Providers will be asked to rate the device's pulling strength as adequate on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"

  6. Provider device satisfaction (Ease of Use)

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD procedure

    Providers using the Carevix device will be asked to rate ease of use on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree."

  7. Number of Device Placement Attempts

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

    Providers are asked to report the number of attempts required for device placement

  8. Need for Device Replacement

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

    Providers who use the Carevix device will be asked if the procedure's successful completion required replacing the Carevix device with the cervical tenaculum

  9. Provider Reported Bleeding

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

    The number of providers who had to manage or stop bleeding on cervical tissues will be compared.

  10. Time to Bleeding Cessation

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD procedure completion

    The time (minutes) required for the providers to stop bleeding of cervical tissues will be compared.

  11. Patient pain score

    Time frame: Prior to Procedure and 5 minutes after procedure completion

    Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable."

  12. Overall Patient Satisfaction

    Time frame: Immediately after IUD procedure completion

    Participants will rate their satisfaction with the procedure on a 5 point Likert scale from Very Dissatisfied to Very Satisfied.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Alissa M Conklin, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

317-944-8231

Kylie L Williams, MA

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Indiana University

Other

Collaborators

  • Aspivix SA

Registry information

Official study title

The Carevix Device: Assessing Pain and Effectiveness of a Suction-based Cervical Stabilizer for IUD Insertions in the Clinic Setting: a Randomized, Controlled Trial (CARE)

Acronym: CARE

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Dec 18, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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