Using virtual reality during intrauterine device placement in adolescents to improve the patient experience

Abstract

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUD) are among the most effective forms of birth control. Many studies, primarily in adults, have addressed pain management during IUD insertion, but no method has shown improved patient-reported pain scores. Virtual reality (VR) devices have been demonstrated to improve the patient experience in multiple fields of medicine for both pediatric and adult patients. To date, there are no studies of VR as a distraction tool during IUD insertion in adults or adolescents.