(106) Social Media Use Increases Anxiety and Anticipated Pain with Office Intrauterine Device Insertion

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are safe and effective for contraception, however social media platforms often contain content that portray negative IUD experiences and inaccurate information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how social media use impacts anxiety and pain scores among patients undergoing an IUD procedure in the office.

Methods: Subjects presenting for first-time IUD insertion were recruited for this study after IRB approval was obtained from the institution. Subjects were excluded if they had ever had an IUD before. All types of IUDs were included. Subjects completed a survey evaluating daily social media use and anticipated pain and anxiety scores by visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-10 prior to IUD insertion. The survey also asked about reproductive health (prior contraceptive use, sexual activity and pregnancy). IUD insertion occurred as standard of care. Within 15 minutes of IUD insertion, subjects completed another VAS about post-insertional pain on a scale of 0 to 10.

Results: 133 subjects were recruited with mean age of 22.8 and range of 13-45. There were 50 (37.8%) adolescent subjects age 18 or under, and 48(36.1%) subjects age 19-24. Most subjects reported using social media 1-3 hours per day (41.4%) and 27.8% reported 3-6 hours per day. Of those using social media, 78.9% reported seeing posts about IUDs, with 67% seeing negative content about IUDs. Adolescent age, prior sexual activity and prior pregnancy did not impact anticipated pain or anxiety scores, but adolescent age was associated with higher post-insertional pain scores (Table 1). Seeing negative posts about IUDs or posts that contained information different from medical counseling statistically increased anticipated pain and anxiety scores (Table 1). Using one way ANOVA, with each incremental change in time spent on social media, mean anticipated anxiety and post-insertional pain scores increased significantly (p = < .001, Figure 1).

Conclusions: Adolescent age or prior sexual activity did not impact anxiety or anticipated pain with office IUD procedure. Seeing negative posts about IUDs and spending more time on social media increased anxiety and anticipated pain. Providers must be aware of negative messaging on social media that could impact patient experience with this office procedure.