Women undergo gynecological procedures with minimal, if any, anesthetic. These procedures, including placement and removal of IUDs, colposcopy, hysteroscopy, and biopsy of the cervix, uterus, endometrium, vagina, or labia, are painful, medically necessary procedures that are preventative in nature. 

Many women experience omission from their OBGYNs when discussing the procedures, who minimize or eliminate the pain factor, and don’t discuss all of the tools being utilized during the procedure… because they are painful tools. 

While some doctors opt for a local anesthetic on sites such as the cervix or labia, the residual pain felt in the uterus, endometrium, or vagina is left untreated. Women are simply left to endure and manage the pain, without any regard to the psychological and physiological effects. 

Currently, there are no standards of care or recommendations in place encouraging OBGYN providers to utilize twilight anesthesia - or a suitable alternative- for these more painful procedures. Many doctors continue to believe women cannot feel pain from these procedures.

While similar “light” anesthesia has been used for decades in dental and oral surgery offices at the request and often shared cost of the patient, simply due to medical anxiety or pain intolerance. This same comfort should be offered as a pain management and anxiety option to women who are undergoing potentially painful gynecological procedures. 

With that, we implore medical plan carriers to consider adding coverage for these pain management options for the named gynecological procedures, and others. We implore physicians across the country to recognize the unnecessary pain women are being forced to endure and commit to adding twilight pain management to their practice. 

Women should not be subject to what is practically medical torture when we have the advancements available make women’s healthcare comfortable.