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With the trend toward increased acceptance of intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception in the U.S., various largely ineffective strategies have been employed to alleviate discomfort during placement. Now, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have conducted a trial to determine whether intracervical lidocaine decreases pain experienced at IUD insertion. A total of 200 women who sought IUDs for contraception were randomized to one of two groups: Following speculum insertion and tenaculum placement, a sterile Q-tip that contained either 2% lidocaine gel or a visually similar sterile lubricant was placed in the cervical os for 1 minute. Using a 100-mm visual analogue scale, patients rated their pain after placement of the tena…