Ultrasound Guidance Reduces IUD Insertion Time Without Increasing Pain

Recent research published in The Annals of Family Medicine indicates that utilizing ultrasound guidance during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion can significantly cut down procedure time compared to traditional methods. The study was conducted at a family medicine teaching health center, where patients were assigned to either an ultrasound-guided IUD insertion group or a conventional insertion group. In the ultrasound-guided approach, clinicians employed a transabdominal ultrasound to visualize the uterus, measure the distance from the cervix to the uterine top, and confirm proper IUD placement—all without performing a bimanual pelvic exam or uterine sounding. Conversely, in the conventional group, practitioners relied on manual bimanual exams and uterine sounding prior to insertion.

The procedures were performed by supervised family medicine residents, with ultrasound examinations conducted by a family physician trained in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) or by an obstetrician-gynecologist. Pain assessment immediately after the procedure showed no significant difference between the two groups, and overall procedure time was notably shorter with ultrasound guidance. Specifically, the ultrasound-guided IUD insertion was faster, yet patient-reported pain levels remained similar regardless of the method.

This evidence suggests that ultrasound guidance can enhance procedural efficiency and workflow during IUD insertion without increasing patient discomfort. The adoption of ultrasound guidance has the potential to streamline clinical practice, support better decision-making, and improve patient experiences with contraceptive procedures.

For more details, see the original study: Nayoung Sung et al., 'Ultrasound Guidance Can Reduce IUD Insertion Time,' The Annals of Family Medicine, 2025. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-ultrasound-guidance-iud-insertion-conventional.html