Girlfriend's IUD Research Study

So, my girlfriend seems to be interested in a study for some new type of IUD. She gets it inserted for free and can keep it for up to 5 years. It is being done at a local hospital. What types of exams will she have to go through? I am concerned a little bit about this. She seems to think its no big deal. I just hate to have her go through unnescessary procedures or examinations. Can anyone shed some light as to what may happen with these types of studies?

If you do a search here at Zity for IUD, about eight matches come up and some of your questions may be answered. Go to MY > SEARCH > FORUM MESSAGES > IUD

I did that search before I posted. But the question is a little different. She is thinking about taking part in a research study for an IUD. What types of exams or procedeures will she have to go through as part of this research study?

If she is a candidate for participation in a research study, all that Information will be provided in copious detail. Each study is different, so it would be difficult for anyone here to tell you what would be involved. Most likely, a standard pelvic exam and perhaps blood work to rule out any anatomical problems and underlying conditions.

As part of a study, she will have the opportunity to ask any questions and opt out at any time if she's not comfortable with any part of it. If she thinks it's not a big deal, maybe you should follow her lead.

Maybe a transvaginal ultrasound as well...

So, just an update. She has decided to participate in this research study. It begins in December. The first appointment will consist of a gyno exam while she is on her period. She seemes very apprehensive about this. Then, the IUD will be put in on her next visit in January. From there, she will have a gyno exam every 2 weeks for 6 months, and then every month for the remaining 18 months of the study. She will also need to keep a daily diary and monitor her bleeding patterns. It is a male doctor performing the study.

Should I be concerned about how much they will be stretching her vagina? Seems like a lot. She is excited about getting $1,000 once the study is complete.

She knows about my interests and my fetish for gyno exams. Seems like she decided, in part, to do this study to make me a little jealous.

What makes you think they'll be "stretching her vagina"? You seem to have forgotten Sex Ed 101, babies come through there ya know. Tons of women have had vaginal births which is equivalent to passing a decent-sized watermelon. Somehow, even after that we manage to be capable sex partners with no complaints.

It's a gyno exam with a speculum, they're not putting in a tunnel for freight trains. Frankly, I doubt that your GF is motivated by making you jealous. I think her motivation is earning $1K. There are much easier ways of making you jealous than taking 18 months and having a skidillion doctor's appointments. If making you jealous is the prime mover, I'd take a long look at the relationship as a whole. But that's just me.

It's not so much that she wants to make me jealous, I feel as though its more that she knows that because I have a gyno fetish, she knows I will get off on the study that she has chosen to participate in.

She is sometimes reluctant to let me "play doctor", but has no trouble submitting to a gyno exam every couple weeks by a real doctor.

Then all I can say is: enjoy it and keep us updated!

So, her first appointment is next week. They gave her a large binder that outlines exactly what will occur at each appointment. So, during the first one, they will give her a pretty standard pelvic exam. It also says she will get a rectal exam. Not really sure why they need to do this. I don't think she is looking forward to this at all. They will also be photographing her cervix while her vagina is held open with a speculum. Apparently, this will be done at every appointment. No mention of a transvaginal ultrasound. She is maybe having second thoughts about taking part in this study?

I'm not sure why she's having second thoughts. All this sounds like standard operating procedure. A rectal exam is a pretty standard part of a thorough gyno exam. A rectal exam is one of the best ways to appreciate the back of the uterus and helps to determine any anatomical anomalies and the position of the uterus. A rectal exam on a female takes about the same amount of time as one on a male and is no more or less uncomfortable. But if she wants to bow out that is, of course, her choice.

I think she will stick with the research study. She just dreads the idea of a rectal exam. In fact, she detests when I try to stick my fingers in there. I wonder how they will take pics of her cervix?

Normal process is a camera and a speculum. Nothing too exotic.

I just found out she will be emailed all the pics that they take as part of this study. How neat! Now, I just have to convince her to let me see them.

My wife had an IUD inserted. Though it was not within frames of a clinical study - the procedures were very similar. She had to sign an informed consent, was submitted to a thorough pelvic and rectal exam. I was lucky to accompany her during the insertion, which was not a comfortable procedure. First, they used a larger speculum with wider blades. She was feeling pain when tenaculum was clipped, during uterus sounding and insertion of the IUD.

I will say there is nothing really erotic, from the patient's side, of having an IUD inserted. I had one taken out and a new one put in a few weeks ago and it was pretty intense. It was quick but hell, that was painful. I hope she had a good experience. Take some advil!

I was allowed to witness my wife fitting with a copper IUD. The insertion, which went well, was very painful but quick and bearable. Just afterwards we headed for brunch and went shopping. However my wife did have some moderate cramps and we went back home to have some rest. She was feeling crampy all day and mild twinges along with discomfort the next day which continued to ease off. As the fitting was on day 7 of her cycle, the period dwindled to light spotting and stopped on the third day. She had to restrict her daily activities only the day of insertion feeling very tired and cold especially in the evening. We were told to avoid penetrative sex for 48 hours, which we obeyed but really wanted to uphold our intimacy. Thus we went to bed, both wearing comfy pants and socks and made a lot of necking and frottage (no touching below the waist) which relieved both of us and actually was a new and nice experience. She had some cramps afterwards but it subsided soon. The next morning she checked for strings and barely found them. Possibly they may have curled around the cervix as they were definitely not hanging straight down. Further, she is very tall 5'10” and has longer vagina. We resumed normal sexual activity on day 3, for the first time in our relation neither with condom nor on pill. Her sex drive was increased as she stopped OC more than a month before. We were a bit afraid of the penis head getting poked by the strings but I wasn't able to feel anything until we went deep missionary with legs up (which we love most) when I was a little scratched. Hopefully the strings will soften in time. She had some cramping afterwards likely as a result of uterus and cervix muscles contractions when she reached orgasm. Clearly, her body is still adjusting to having something in there that's probably very normal. Overall the first experience is very positive. She continues her daily routines, hard working, relax in yoga class or fitness and making love naturally. The major issue: we both weren't deeply concerned with this procedure. She wore her elegant clothes as usually, not just asexual sweatpants. It helped her to feel feminine and self-confident. Pain management: one OTC tablet, deep regular breathing and (funny) awareness of me watching her toes curled up when the coil was fitted.

So, just an update. She had her study IUD inserted today. I was not allowed to go with her to the appointment today, though. She said it was a tad painful, but not too bad. The doctor evidently used a larger than normal speculum on her, Once she got home, she let me open her up with a speculum and look at the strings protruding from her cervix. How cool! She has to go back in a week to get an exam and a transvaginal ultrasound. Also, she must keep a daily diary of any pain and her bleeding patterns.

So, today, my GF had a follow up exam for the study. It was a pretty standard gyno exam she said. She was on her period when she went today. She said the worst part was removing her tampon in the room before the lead doctor came in to do the exam. I guess she was bleeding only a little but still needed to put in a tampon when the exam was done, but all they had was "super plus".

She said she is getting used to all the speculums and photos being taken. Sometimes, she admits to feeling "used" when she goes in only to be poked and prodded by a male gyno who is really only interested in the clinical trial.