Let's Talk About Sex and IUDs: My Personal Experience
Written by a Morgan Clark - Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, at Empower Your Pelvis, in Kansas City, Missouri (Lee Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)
My husband and I just celebrated our third wedding anniversary, which brought this topic to mind. I wanted to share my personal journey with IUDs in the hopes that it might help others who may be facing similar situations.
I was on the pill from the time I was 15 until I got married at 24. A few months before our wedding, I decided it was time to stop using the pill. However, we weren’t quite ready to start a family. After doing some research, I found that an IUD seemed to be the safest and most reliable form of birth control for me. I consulted my OBGYN, and we decided that the Skyla IUD would be the best option, but I chose to wait until after our honeymoon to have it placed.
For years, I had a positive experience with the pill: no pain with sex, no acne, no cramping, regular periods, and minimal mood swings (although my husband might have a different opinion on that last one!). However, I wanted to reduce the synthetic hormones in my body, so it felt like the right time for a change.
My IUD Placement Experience
When we returned from our honeymoon, it was time for the IUD placement. I was not fully prepared for the appointment, partly because I lacked knowledge and partly due to insufficient guidance from my healthcare provider. The placement occurred in the same room where I typically had my exams, so it all seemed quite routine. My OBGYN mentioned that I would feel "two big cramps" during the procedure, and indeed, I did. I thought, "Phew, that's over!"
However, within 15 minutes, I started experiencing intense, labor-like cramping. I lost sensation in my arms and legs, lost control of my bowels, and even fainted. By that point, I had already left the clinic to run an errand (typical multi-tasking!), so all of this happened in a store rather than under medical supervision. I ended up going to the ER due to the excruciating 10/10 pain that wouldn’t subside.
Reflecting on this experience, I wish I had been told to take ibuprofen beforehand, avoid caffeine that morning, or stay for 30 minutes post-placement to monitor my body’s reaction. A little preparation could have made a big difference.
Post-IUD Placement and Pain with Sex
Our first attempt at sex after the IUD placement was far from pleasant. I couldn’t tolerate any penetration and felt a stabbing pain with even the slightest touch. It was not only physically painful but also emotionally and mentally challenging for me as a newlywed. And I felt for my husband, too! Sex is supposed to be one of the highlights of the honeymoon phase, right? Well, not for us.
Thankfully, as a pelvic health physical therapist, I knew what to do to help my situation. I began daily internal pelvic floor muscle stretching, increased my yoga practice, and focused on stress and pain management techniques. With this self-care routine, it took about eight weeks to get back to pain-free sex.
A Common Issue Worth Addressing
This experience got me thinking: I may have had some underlying pelvic floor muscle tension, and the IUD placement simply brought it to the surface. I’ve found that many of my patients have had similar experiences but don’t know how to seek help or what steps to take. That’s why my recovery was relatively quick and successful—I had the knowledge and tools to address it.
Many people suffer from these symptoms for months, even years, whether triggered by an IUD placement, postpartum issues, sexual trauma, or long-standing conditions. It’s important to remember that pain with sex is NOT normal. Please seek help from a pelvic health specialist to guide you on your journey to recovery.
If you have specific questions or are experiencing similar symptoms, I encourage you to make an appointment with a pelvic health specialist. We're here to support you, whether in person at our clinic or virtually.
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If you're looking for “pelvic floor therapy near me”, consider scheduling a consultation at one of our locations in Kansas City-Overland Park, Kansas, or Lees Summit, Missouri. Click here to book your appointment.
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With wellness in your pelvis-
Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Kansas City (Lee’s Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)