Follow-Up After IUD Insertions: Managing IUD Expectations, Addressing Side Effects, and Providing Post-Insertion Counseling

Abstract

While routine visits after intrauterine device (IUD) insertion are not recommended for adolescents and young adults by evidence-based guidelines, they can present valuable opportunities to answer patient questions, review method-specific information, and offer routine reproductive health care. It is important for providers to be aware of the range of bleeding and cramping that happens after IUD placement, both by timing and type of device. This knowledge helps clinicians provide reassurance, as well as understand the treatment options available for those whose symptoms are bothersome. Understanding additional IUD-related symptoms and how to provide counseling in a patient-centered manner can help to maintain the ongoing patient-clinician relationship and improve method satisfaction. This chapter will review the rationale for scheduled versus problem-based visits after IUD insertion, describe the common and less common patient concerns after IUD insertion, and provide information to help clinicians manage IUD concerns. Lastly, we will discuss how to integrate a reproductive justice framework into discussions around IUD removal.