[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-7772430f-97ac-4e2b-a307-cf094520720b” custom_padding=”8px||7px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”201177″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-7772430f-97ac-4e2b-a307-cf094520720b%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Please note: this page is currently under construction so the information may be incorrect or incomplete<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#96a7bc” background_image=”https:\/\/ftww.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Pain-during-gynae-header-2.png” background_size=”contain” background_position=”bottom_right” background_blend=”multiply” custom_padding=”40px||24px||false|false” background_last_edited=”on|phone” background_image_phone=”https:\/\/ftww.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Pain-during-gynae-header-2.png” background_enable_image_phone=”on” background_size_tablet=”custom” background_image_width_tablet=”75%” background_image_width_phone=”100%” background_position_tablet=”bottom_center” background_position_phone=”bottom_center” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” border_radii=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”20px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”|70px|0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|70px|0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”e864d11f-3dab-4fa3-ac06-4f0e1a260807″ header_font=”DM Sans||||||||” header_text_color=”#103638″ header_font_size=”64px” header_letter_spacing=”-0.02em” header_line_height=”1.15em” custom_margin=”||16px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”43px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”41d5859c-fbaa-458a-88e4-5d886857f235″ text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#103638″ text_font_size=”21px” min_height=”246px” custom_padding=”||5px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Minor gynaecological procedures are undertaken by thousands of female patients every year, but a lot of them report finding the experience painful and traumatic.<\/p>\n This page provides information on pain during minor gynaecological procedures and our work to improve healthcare experiences in this area. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”bottom_center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” height_tablet=”309px” height_phone=”208px” height_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_height=”1000px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#96a7bc” positioning=”none” width=”100%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” sticky_position=”top” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”12px||13px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”12px||13px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||12px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#103638″ header_text_align=”center” custom_margin=”3px|||||” custom_margin_tablet=”3px|||||” custom_margin_phone=”3px||-27px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” width__sticky_enabled=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n Pain during gynaecologicial procedures<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#103638″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”3px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”3px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n On this page:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”470″ menu_style=”centered” submenu_direction=”downwards” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” menu_font=”|600|||||||” menu_text_color=”#103638″ menu_font_size=”18px” background_enable_color=”off” min_height=”27px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” sticky_position=”top” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px||2px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”201398″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”196%” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font_size=”17px” image_icon_custom_margin=”9px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The following information is based on the lived experiences and priorities expressed to us by our community. If you need medical\/health advice, please contact a GP or medical professional. Read our\u00a0medical disclaimer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Cards” module_id=”about” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f1f2eb” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”||31px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||19px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#19583B” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Minor gynaecological procedures are usually invasive and can include:<\/p>\n For information about a specific minor gynaecological procedure visit the NHS 111 information pages<\/a>. More information about minor gynaecological procedures performed in your area can be found by searching for your local health board here.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Minor gynaecological procedures are usually undertaken in outpatient settings, such as GP surgeries, sexual and reproductive health clinics, or hospital day case units. They are very common, with thousands taking place every year. However, some patients report not being given enough information ahead of time to choose how and where they would like the procedure to take place.<\/p>\n Evidence suggests that a significant number of women undergoing these procedures experience considerable pain, and some are traumatised by their experience. Sedation, anaesthetic, and pain relief are not routinely offered in clinics performing minor gynaecological procedures.<\/p>\n It has also been shown that patients affected by pain, or who have felt like they\u2019ve not been taken seriously in these settings, can be reluctant to seek healthcare again in the future. This can mean they could be at risk of not having symptoms investigated or starting treatment in a timely way.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Cards” module_id=”campaign” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f1f2eb” custom_margin=”-3px|||||” custom_padding=”7px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row module_id=”campaign” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||34px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#19583B” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19px” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Our overall aim is to to prevent those patients undergoing minor gynaecological procedures having painful and traumatic experiences which might deter them from seeking healthcare in the future.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Evidence suggests that women\u2019s experiences of pain are often not taken seriously in healthcare settings, with women less likely to receive pain relief or be treated as promptly as men.<\/p>\n Traditionally, women\u2019s reporting of pain (pelvic pain in particular) has been normalised and dismissed, resulting in patients sometimes being expected to endure extreme pain situations, including in clinical outpatient settings.<\/p>\n It can reduce costs and waiting lists for health service providers to offer many minor gynaecological procedures in outpatient settings where access to IV sedation and analgesia is not available. However, more research is needed to understand if and how far any pain and trauma experienced might result in other health issues, such as delayed help-seeking or mental health concerns.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19px” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In Wales, women are experiencing pain and trauma during minor gynaecological procedures unneccessarily. Although these procedures are important and need to be undertaken quickly, patient experiences need to be improved.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”48px” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font_size=”17px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In the face of growing NHS Wales waiting lists, it is important that minor gynaecological procedures are undertaken as quickly as possible because, for some patients, they can identify and address potentially serious health issues, like cancer. However, it is important that the need for speed does not result in patients experiencing pain and trauma unnecessarily.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19px” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We need to:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”lead” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#003E51″ custom_padding=”||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||54px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”treatment” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ftww.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lucy-c_1000px.png” alt=”Photo of Lucy C, FTWW champion” title_text=”lucy-c_1000px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n “After a personal experience of a traumatic IUD fitting, I was left feeling gaslighted and ashamed. I reached out on social media to see if others had a similar experience, and was overwhelmed with the stories I received.<\/p>\n After creating a survey to collect, what I later discovered, was the only data that existed on the issue at that scale, I launched a campaign to demand that we have access to pain relief.<\/p>\n Some progress has been made, but it’s not enough. Women’s pain must be taken seriously and this is our medical ‘Me Too’ moment. Patients have put up with pain for far too long.”<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wcm9qZWN0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE5NTAxNCJ9fQ==@” button_text=”Read Lucy C’s Story” button_alignment=”left” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#96a7bc” button_border_color=”#96a7bc” button_border_radius=”39px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_border_color__hover=”#96a7bc”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Cards” module_id=”achievements” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f1f2eb” custom_padding=”29px|||||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||19px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#19583B” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”||36px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Our campaign activity to improve the lives of those experiencing pain during minor gynaecological procedures is extensive. Some of our achievements are outlined below:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”gcid-982c4cb0-94e7-4aa6-9971-4a5deb49db9d” icon_width=”38px” align=”left” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#96a7bc” z_index=”-90″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”8px” border_color_all=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-982c4cb0-94e7-4aa6-9971-4a5deb49db9d%22:%91%22icon_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text module_class=”list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_margin=”-128px||39px|71px|false|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.13)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u00a0We raise awareness through events, media, training and fundraising<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”gcid-982c4cb0-94e7-4aa6-9971-4a5deb49db9d” icon_width=”38px” align=”left” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#96a7bc” z_index=”-90″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”8px” border_color_all=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-982c4cb0-94e7-4aa6-9971-4a5deb49db9d%22:%91%22icon_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text module_class=”list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_margin=”-128px||39px|71px|false|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.13)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We take part in consultations, advisory boards and co-production of healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\nPain during gynaecological procedures<\/h1>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nWhat are minor gynaecological procedures and why is pain management an issue?<\/h2>\n
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What are we calling for?<\/h2>\n
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Our champion: Lucy C<\/span><\/h2>\n
What have we achieved?<\/h2>\n
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