No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
Pain during gynaecological procedures: research and compassion are key to improving patients’ experiences
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Introduction
In June 2021, high-profile testimonials in the media about pain during intrauterine device (IUD) procedures in the UK prompted significant discussion across platforms including Twitter (subsequently renamed X). We examined a sample of Twitter postings (tweets) to gain insight into public perspectives and experiences.
Methods
We harvested tweets posted or retweeted on 21–22 June 2021 which contained the search terms coil, intrauterine system, IUD or intrauterine. We analysed the dataset thematically and selected illustrative tweets with the authors’ consent for publication.
Results
Following deduplication and screening, we included 1431 tweets in our analysis. We identified testimonials with descriptions of varied pain experiences. Twitter users reported that clinicians had not warned them that pain could be severe or explained the options for pain relief. Some raised concerns about pain being minimised or dismissed and linked this to the management of women’s pain in medicine more broadly. Twitter users described connecting to an online community with shared experiences as validating and used this as a springboard for collective action.
Conclusions
While we acknowledge the limitations of our sample, this study highlights important perspectives and accounts relating to pain during IUD procedures. Our findings attest to the need for strategies to improve the patient experience for those opting for IUD as a clinical priority. Further research should explore IUD users' experiences, expectations and wishes around pain management.
TikTok, a video-sharing application, offers a growing platform for contraception-related content. The top 100 videos tagged "#IUD" were compiled using a web-scraping application. User demographics and video content were analyzed by two independent reviewers, with a third to arbitrate differences. More videos had a negative tone (37.8%) about intrauterine devices (IUDs) than positive (19.4%), and 27.6% mentioned distrust of health care professionals. Of videos conveying patient experiences, all had a negative or ambiguous tone and 96.8% highlighted pain and other side effects related to IUDs. Videos scored low on information health quality (1.2/5 on DISCERN) and averaged 73.8% in understandability and 17.7% in actionability on PEMAT (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool). #IUD videos on TikTok often portray negative experiences related to pain and informed consent.
Fitting coils: developing a safe and supportive service. Patient Safety Learning Hub
- N Taghinejadi
Taghinejadi N. Fitting coils: developing a safe and supportive service. Patient Safety Learning
Hub. 8 January 2024 https://www.pslhub.org/learn/patient-safety-in-health-and-care/womenshealth/fitting-coils-developing-a-safe-and-supportive-service-r10668/
Our discomfort is routine. What if it didn’t have to be? The Cut
- R Nudson
Nudson R. Gynecology has a pain problem. Our discomfort is routine. What if it didn't have to
be? The Cut 1 Jun 2022 https://www.thecut.com/2022/06/pain-in-gynecology-practice-exams.html
3
Why aren’t doctors managing pain during gynecologic procedures? Medscape
- K Sullivan
Sullivan K. Why aren't doctors managing pain during gynecologic procedures? Medscape 30 Oct
2023. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/997872?ecd=mkm_ret_231106_mscpmrk-GB_ExcNews_etid6028828&uac=342158FJ&impID=6028828
Coil fitting agony: “My screams were so loud
- Bbc News
US selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, 2024
- KM Curtis
- AT Nguyen
- NK Tepper
My screams were so loud
- Bbc News
BBC News. Coil fitting agony: "My screams were so loud." 21 Jun 2021.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57551641
Hysteroscopy: 6 calls for action to prevent avoidable harm
Patient Safety Learning Hub. Hysteroscopy: 6 calls for action to prevent avoidable harm. 1 Mar
2023. https://www.pslhub.org/learn/patient-safety-in-health-and-care/womens-health/hysteroscopy-6-calls-for-action-to-prevent-avoidable-harm-r8848/
Women left in extreme pain from invasive hysteroscopy procedures hit out
Patient Safety Learning Hub. Women left in extreme pain from invasive hysteroscopy procedures
hit out. 20 Mar 2023. https://www.pslhub.org/blogs/entry/5336-women-left-in-extreme-painfrom-invasive-hysteroscopy-procedures-hit-out/
Painful hysteroscopy: patient stories
Patient Safety Learning Hub. Painful hysteroscopy: patient stories. 8 Feb 2020.
https://www.pslhub.org/forums/topic/68-painful-hysteroscopy/
Coil procedures: Exploring negative experiences through qualitative research (an interview with Sabrina Pilav)
Patient Safety Learning Hub. Coil procedures: Exploring negative experiences through qualitative
research (an interview with Sabrina Pilav). 31 October 2023. https://www.pslhub.org/learn/patientsafety-in-health-and-care/womens-health/coil-procedures-exploring-negative-experiencesthrough-qualitative-research-an-interview-with-sabrina-pilav-r10347/