IUD pain control options

AN ACT Relating to raising awareness of pain control options for 1
intrauterine device placement and removal; adding a new section to 2
chapter 18.130 RCW; and creating a new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:5
(a) Intrauterine devices, commonly known as IUDs, are one of the 6
most effective forms of reversible contraception. While intrauterine 7
devices have been used in the United States for many decades, their 8
use has increased substantially since the early 2000s, particularly 9
among individuals who have never given birth. While the use of 10
intrauterine devices is increasing, some patients forego their use 11
because of their concerns about pain or previous negative experiences 12
despite the other benefits and effectiveness of intrauterine devices.13
(b) Research supports that placement of an intrauterine device 14
can be extremely painful and that individuals who have not given 15
birth prior to intrauterine device placement report considerably more 16
pain than individuals that have borne children. 17
(c) Until recently there were limited guidelines related to pain 18
management for the placement and removal of an intrauterine device 19
and health care providers generally only addressed pain by 20
recommending over-the-counter pain medications, which have been found 21
H-0173.1
HOUSE BILL 1077
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Walen, Ryu, Leavitt, Ramel, Berry, Duerr, Reed,
Taylor, Macri, Callan, Gregerson, Wylie, Pollet, Ormsby, Reeves,
Bernbaum, and Hill
Prefiled 12/16/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Health Care & Wellness.
p. 1 HB 1077
to be ineffective for placement and removal pain. In response to 1
patients raising awareness of their negative experiences and requests 2
for pain management, more providers are beginning to provide 3
additional pain control options, and some planned parenthood clinics 4
recently began offering sedation for patients seeking intrauterine 5
device placement. 6
(d) The federal centers for disease control and prevention 7
updated their recommendations for contraceptive use in August 2024 8
and recommend that before placement, all patients should be counseled 9
on potential pain during placement and that a person-centered plan 10
for pain management should be made based on patient preference. The 11
recommendations further provide that when a health care provider is 12
considering patient pain, it is important to recognize that the 13
experience of pain is individualized and might be influenced by 14
previous experiences. 15
(2) Therefore, the legislature intends to promote awareness of 16
pain control options for the placement and removal of intrauterine 17
devices by requiring that health care providers notify patients of 18
pain control options prior to intrauterine device placement and 19
removal. 20
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 18.130 21
RCW to read as follows: 22
A health care provider that is subject to this chapter or their 23
agent or employee shall notify all patients seeking intrauterine 24
device placement or removal of the types of pain control options 25
available prior to or at the time of scheduling the appointment for 26
intrauterine device placement or removal. 27
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1077