Dr Jacqueline Coombe

Okay, so it depends whether – so let's assume you've spoken to your GP and your GP says, yep, great idea for you.

depends whether your GP inserts it or not.

If they can insert it for you, you would then make an appointment for the IED insertion procedure, which might be tomorrow, might be in a few weeks, depending on how busy your GP is.

If your GP can't do them,

They will refer you on to somebody else to do it.

And then you would need to have an appointment with that person.

Typically, you need to have an appointment to talk about the IUD and the insertion procedure first before the insertion appointment itself.

So at that initial appointment, you'll get the script for it.

Then you need to go to the chemist and pick it up.

On the day, so at that appointment when, so if your GP inserts, can insert the IED and you've decided, yes, you want an IED, have a chat with them about what the pain relief options are, what that looks like, what the day will look like for you, what insertion looks like.

If you need to go see somebody else to get it inserted, have an appointment with them and have that same chat.

ask them how often they insert IEDs.

You want to go to somebody who does them fairly regularly because they'll have all the systems set up.

They'll be pretty familiar with doing it.

and then talk about pain relief options and how you get it.

So I mentioned earlier that Penthox or the green whistle is becoming an option.

So some places have that available on site.

So that's just an option for you to then have.

Some people have mentioned or have spoken about how you actually have to get that as well as the IUD when you go to the chemist for a script.

So have a talk through what that looks like.