Penthrox is having a positive impact on the pain women feel during an IUD insertion. That’s the sentiment coming from Bendigo Community Health Services’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub.
This year alone, more than 50 clients have taken up the fast-acting pain management option while getting a long-acting contraceptive. The Hub’s Senior Leader Kathlyn Crisp says Penthrox – also known as the green whistle – is safe, dignified and readily available.
“We are committed to taking women’s pain seriously, and we want women to have a positive experience when they come into the Hub, that’s why we’ve been offering Penthrox as a pain relief option during IUDs for nearly 18 months now,” she says.
“We’ve also noticed that clients are being proactive and are asking about the green whistle during their consultations. Clinical staff do offer it to every client regardless of expression of interest, but the surge in social media and education has meant that clients are feeling empowered to ask the question, which is just fantastic.”
Feedback from our clients has been overwhelmingly positive too. One says:
“It definitely helped. It greatly reduced my stress and anxiety and helped me relax. I still felt some intense, painful moments, however I know this would have been so much worse if it wasn’t for the whistle. Apart from the intense moments, the overall process was not that painful or uncomfortable. I am extremely grateful that it was an option. I would not have had the IUD if this kind of relief wasn’t available.”
Another added: “It calmed me down a lot. I definitely agree that it took the edge of the pain and made things much more bearable.”
BCHS nurse Sybilla Marchingo says having a variety of pain relief options available is necessary as everyone tolerates pain differently.
“Penthrox provides a strong form of pain relief by relieving anxiety and relaxing muscles, but we have a myriad ways that we try and distract and help with pain, from Penthrox all the way down to lollipops and stress balls,” she says.
“Everything we offer is to make sure people have as comfortable experience with us as possible.”
Watch Sybilla detail our use of Penthrox.