Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Offering Sedation for IUD Placements 

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is offering IV sedation for patients during IUD placements to improve patient comfort and health outcomes. 

SARASOTA — This month, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida (PPSWCF) began offering IV sedation for intrauterine device (IUD) placements at their health centers in East Orlando, North Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Myers to increase access to reliable birth control for people who otherwise might not choose these extremely reliable methods due to concerns about pain and discomfort during the placement procedure. This new offering is one of many trauma-informed and patient-centered care practices exercised by PPSWCF. 

Over the last two decades, IUDs have become an increasingly popular form of birth control due to their extremely low failure rate, long-term effectiveness, and ease of use. According to the CDC, 20% of women began using an IUD as their preferred contraceptive method between 2015 and 2019, but the IUD placement or removal process can be uncomfortable or even painful for some patients. 

Patient satisfaction with IUDs is high, but for many people, there are tradeoffs. A recent study showed that even though 75% of patients reported their IUD placement experience went “very well,” 78% of women reported their pain during IUD placement as moderate to severe. One study showed that of all TikTok videos tagged “#IUD,” 97% included complaints of pain. 

Last week, the CDC updated its guidance for IUD placements and is now encouraging health care providers to counsel patients on pain management options before the procedure. By offering IV sedation, PPSWCF is ensuring that patients who are concerned about pain or anxious from prior negative experiences can benefit from highly effective, long-acting birth control, knowing they can be comfortable during their IUD placement and removal. 

Statement from Barbara Zdravecky, PPSWCF CEO: 

“With the 6-week abortion ban in place, the stakes have never been higher for Floridians who can get pregnant; it’s crucial that patients have the option of utilizing IUDs without fear of pain or discomfort during the placement. These ‘set and forget’ birth control methods protect against pregnancy for years and can give people the peace of mind they need during this treacherous time to experience unintended pregnancy in Florida.” 

Statement from PPSWCF Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robyn Schickler, MD, MSc, FACOG: 

“Choosing your birth control should be an empowering experience; it shouldn’t be marked by fear and trauma. By introducing IV sedation for IUD placements, we are breaking down barriers and empowering patients to determine their own pain management needs.” 

“Patient-centered care is not a luxury; it is a basic human right that should be afforded to all individuals seeking reproductive health services. At Planned Parenthood, our patients are not just numbers; each is treated as the unique person they are, with their own needs, feelings, beliefs, and fears. Our patients come to us because they know they can trust us, and that makes me proud to come to work every day.” 

In addition to IUD and birth control implant placements and removals, intravenous (IV) sedation is available upon request to accompany services such as cervical cancer screening, colposcopy, and LEEP procedures. Other patient-centered and trauma-informed accommodations are available upon request. 

Planned Parenthood is committed to ensuring that everyone is empowered to choose the birth control method that works best for their body. To make an appointment or for more information about birth control options, patients can call 941-567-3800. 

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Inc., an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., began operations in 1966 and provides vital sexual and reproductive health care services and comprehensive sexuality education. Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida provides expert, affordable, and confidential health care to 41,000 patients through health centers in Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Naples, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Tampa, as well as through telehealth. 

The mission of Planned Parenthood is to ensure the right of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing medical services, education, and advocacy. For more than 100 years, Planned Parenthood has been one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, respectful sexual and reproductive health care and the nation’s largest provider of sex education.