Naproxen sodium doesn't reduce pain with IUD insertion

(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing intrauterine device (IUD) insertion, oral naproxen sodium does not reduce pain on insertion, but does reduce pain after insertion, according to a study published in the December issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Lynn L. Ngo, M.D., M.P.H., from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues randomized 118 women to naproxen sodium (58 women) or placebo (60 women) given one hour before IUD insertion. The primary outcome was pain with IUD insertion, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS).

The researchers found that the median VAS pain scores for the primary outcome of pain with IUD insertion did not differ for the naproxen sodium versus placebo arms (69 versus 66 mm, P = 0.89). There were also no differences in the secondary outcomes of median VAS pain scores with tenaculum placement or uterine sounding (P = 0.97 and 0.66, respectively). The naproxen arm had lower median pain scores after the procedure compared with the placebo arm (17 versus 26 mm at five minutes and 13 versus 24 mm at 15 minutes after insertion; both P = 0.01).

"Oral naproxen sodium does not reduce pain with IUD insertion but does reduce pain after insertion and should be considered as a premedication," the authors write.

One author disclosed being on the scientific advisory board of Medicines360.

Copyright © 2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.