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Misoprostol Prior to Intrauterine Device (IUD) Insertion in Nulliparous Women

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Contraception
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT01147497
Lead Sponsor
Emory University
Brief Summary

Because of misoprostol's known ability to cause cervical dilation, some family planning providers give their patients a dose of this drug prior to insertion. The goal of this study is to evaluate whether misoprostol prior to IUD insertion in nulliparous women eases insertion and decreases pain.

Detailed Description

There are currently 2 intrauterine devices (IUDs) available in the U.S., the copper T380 (paragard) and levonorgestrel IUD (Mirena). The effectiveness of IUDs is very similar to tubal sterilization\[1\], with an overall unintended pregnancy rate of less than 1% in the first year, and lower failure rates in subsequent years. The cervix of a nulliparous woman has a smaller diameter and can lead to more difficult and uncomfortable IUD insertions. Because of misoprostol's known ability to cause cervical dilation, some family planning providers give their patients a dose of this drug prior to insertion. The goal of this study is to evaluate whether misoprostol prior to IUD insertion in nulliparous women eases insertion and decreases pain. The null hypothesis is that misoprostol does not influence difficulty of insertion or patient perception of pain. The primary outcome is the ability to insert the IUD without dilation of the cervix or using ultrasound for guidance.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
78
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18 years
  • negative pregnancy test
  • no prior pregnancy beyond 19 6/7 weeks
  • no pelvic inflammatory disease in last 3 months
  • no current cervicitis
  • willing to follow up in 1-2 months
Exclusion Criteria
  • active cervical infection
  • current pregnancy
  • prior pregnancy beyond 19 6/7 weeks
  • uterine anomaly
  • fibroid uterus distorting uterine cavity
  • copper allergy or wilson's disease for ParaGard
  • undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
  • cervical or uterine cancer
  • sepsis associated with the most recent pregnancy
  • current breast cancer for levonogestrel IUD
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • allergy to misoprostol

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
placeboPlaceboPill that is identical to the study drug in appearance, taste, and smell, taken buccally 2 hours prior to IUD insertion visit
misoprostolMisoprostolMisoprostol 400mcg taken buccally 2 hours prior to IUD insertion visit
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Provider Perceived Ease of Insertion on a 100 Point Visual Analogue Scaleassessed immediately post IUD insertion

The visual analogue scale for perceived ease ranges from 0 (most ease) to 100 (most difficult).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Patient Perceived Pain on a 100 Point Visual Analogue Scaleimmediately after insertion

The visual analogue scale for perceived patient pain ranges from 0 (no pain) to 100 (most pain).

The Use of Adjunctive Measures Including Ultrasound Guidance or Cervical Dilation to Insert the IUDassessed immediately after IUD insertion
Ease of Insertion and Presence of Pain in Nulliparous Women Versus Nulligravid Womenassessed immediately following insertion
Time for Insertion Procedureassessed immediately after IUD insertion
Acceptability of Discomfort Associated With Insertionassessed at one week after insertion and at one month after insertion
Need for Additional Pain Medications After Insertion of the IUDassessed one week after insertion

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Emory Clinic

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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