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Social Media/Communication/Education

(90) Perceptions of IUD Insertion Pain: An Analysis of Popular TikTok Videos

Friday, April 4, 2025
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM ET
Location: Harbour Ballroom

    Primary Author(s)

  • Jordan A. Eisenberg, MD (she/her/hers)

    Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, PGY3
    Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health
    New York, New York, United States

    • Presenting Author(s)

  • Jordan A. Eisenberg, MD (she/her/hers)

    Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, PGY3
    Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health
    New York, New York, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • RL

    Rueben Lewis, MD

    Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, PGY2
    Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health
    New York, New York, United States

  • NS

    Natalie Suder, MD

    Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, PGY2
    Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health
    New York, New York, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • SC

    Smita Carroll, MD, MBA, MPH

    Attending Physician, Complex Family Planning, Obstetrics and Gynecology
    Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health
    New York, New York, United States

Background: The social medical application, TikTok, continues to have increasing influence in the United States, now with greater than 60% of those younger than 30 using the application. Among females using the application, 58% report using TikTok as a source of news and information.(1)

After the publication of the “U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024” by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in August 2024, there has been increased attention to the use of analgesia/anesthesia for the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs).(2) Major news sources, including The New York Times and NBC, have published articles calling attention to the inadequate pain relief provided during gynecologic procedures, particularly during IUD insertions.(3,4,5)

This study aims to assess the current perception and understanding of IUD insertion pain among young adults based on TikTok content.

Methods: Using the terms “IUD insertion” on 8/8/2024, quantitative data (likes, comments, views, shares) was collected from the top 50 TikTok videos using Apify. These videos were reviewed using MQ-VET by three independent raters. The raters answered additional survey questions to analyze the content of the videos. Thematic analysis was completed using OpenAI GPT-4o, version 1.2024.254.

Results: Of the top 50 TikTok videos populated by the search term “IUD insertion,” 40% support the use of anesthesia for IUD placement. 60% were considered neutral or non-applicable.

48% of the videos were posted by users who appear to be medical doctors, and 46% by laypeople. 25% of videos posted by doctors were combined videos with laypeople, known as a “stitch” or “duet.” 22% of the TikToks featured footage of an IUD insertion, with the patient/creator of the video in visible pain.

The most prevalent themes in these TikToks include pain during IUD insertion and removal, anxiety and emotional responses, and coping strategies for pain and discomfort.

Conclusions: This study highlights the potential for TikTok to shape the perception of IUD insertion among young adults and adolescents, with the average number of views reaching almost 2 million. A significant portion of the top videos illustrate visible expressions of pain during IUD insertion, yet little information is shared about the types of pain management available or data supporting its use. This demonstrates the importance of health professionals creating social media videos that further elucidate the types of pain management available, to empower and enhance reproductive health autonomy.