Empathy Through Pain Control: Buffered Compared to Unbuffered 1% Lidocaine During IUD Placement

Lidocaine is a drug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sodium bicarbonate is an additive that buffers the acidity of lidocaine. The combination of the two is safe and effective as a paracervical block for pain relief in various OBGYN procedures. At UCSD and other places, it is currently standard practice for people with no prior deliveries to receive a buffered lidocaine paracervical block prior to IUD placement.

Participants who take part in this study, will be randomly assigned to receive an injection of buffered lidocaine OR an injection of unbuffered lidocaine to numb the area before IUD placement.

Throughout the local anesthetic and intrauterine device (IUD) placement procedure, research team members will question participants about their pain levels, their satisfaction with the procedure, and how much empathy they feel the clinician has shown.

Inclusion criteria

• Ability to provide informed consent
• Women IUD placement for contraception or heavy menstrual bleeding
• Ages 18-50
• English-speaking
• Participants must not have a past medical history of substance use disorders, pain disorders, use of prescription pain medications or are found to be pregnant
• Nulliparous (never given birth)

Exclusion criteria

• History of ever giving birth
• Current use of prescription pain medication prior to procedure. Over-the-counter medications such as those containing ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, or naproxen are allowed.
• Diagnosed chronic pain condition
• Current pregnancy
• Known allergic reactions to components of the local anesthetic
• History of an IUD placement
• Current substance use or history of substance use
• Known contraindications to IUD, such as unexplained vaginal bleeding