An IUD also know as a intrauterine system, is a small device which is inserted into the uterus as a form of contraception. An IUD is also the most effective form of contraception. According to Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, the IUD is over 99% effective at prevention pregnancy.  In 2019, Family Planning carried out a national training programme on IUD insertions. However, only 8 out of 300 providers have completed a course on how to properly insert an IUD. This is concerning because women are trusting healthcare providers to be properly trained when undergoing this procedure. In addition, not having enough trained practitioners  also decreases the number of providers who are able to perform an IUD insertion. Making IUD insertion training compulsory and comprehensive would allow more women to have more access to this service as well as make the service providers more educated on the type of procedure their performing and the pain women may experience.A woman named Tainvi Naik was feeling “traumatised” after her procedure and stated that she “vomited twice”. She also said that after the procedure “I was nauseous. I wasn't eating. I couldn't walk. My legs were shaking."  While not all IUD insertions are painful, greater training is needed in the administration of pain relief because women can experience extreme pain and many are not properly educated on the pain relief that is available to them. There are many forms of pain medication that women can take when doing this procedure including paracetamol, ibuprofen and general anesthetic.General anesthetic as an option for pain relief that can help relieve anxiety women face when thinking about undergoing this procedure. This is not available everywhere is Aotearoa and in places that do have it, it is not funded.  IUD insertions are not fully funded and can cost up to at least $200 dollars if done through a GP. Adding the cost of pain medication causes this procedure to be more expensive which restricts access to the procedure for many women who are not able to afford it. 

In summary, we would like you to sign our petition. We are proposing that there should be a compulsory training course for the relevant health providers on how to properly insert and IUD. The training health providers receive should be comprehensive and include education about different pain medication women are able to receive while undergoing this procedure. We are also proposing that the Government should fully fund any pain relief medication that is available to women for an IUD insertion.