I have searched high and low for a physician that will insert an IUD under partial / twilight sedation. I know that “the length of the procedure and relative discomfort compared to other procedures does not warrant the risks” but I’ve had so much trauma associated with all of that, that I really, really, really don’t want to be further traumatized by an IUD insertion.

Every doctor in the DMV that I’ve reached out to has said that the procedure is over so quickly that they don’t want to risk anesthesia. While valid, we give people pain and anxiety management for a tooth extraction. People’s pain is valid even if it’s inconvenient to manage.

I briefly came across a doctor with a practice in Annapolis (on mobile so I can’t link right now) who has admitting rights at a hospital nearby and is open to doing the insertion at the hospital. You need to be an active patient (so schedule, on board, get a routine PAP / etc), and then come in for an IUD consult. An attempt will be made to place the IUD the traditional way (with some symptom management like laughing gas). If it fails, you’d return to do so at the hospital. I opted against seeing him because his front desk person just said “he doesn’t prescribe any opioids if that’s what you want” the second I asked about what they offer for pain management.

The Dupont Clinic will do whatever you want but all costs are out of pocket (and they don’t carry the copper IUD in house if that’s what you would be interested in). The cost is about $1800. I decided against it just because I have never had an IUD before and would be out the money if my body rejected it or something. But I’ve heard only positive things about the clinic and everyone I talked to was extremely sweet.