Comparative efficacy of lidocaine–prilocaine cream and vaginal misoprostol in reducing pain during levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion in women delivered only by cesarean delivery: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare efficacy of lidocaine–prilocaine (LP) cream versus misoprostol versus placebo before levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine device (LNG‐IUD) insertion.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital from April 30, 2020 to March 1, 2021 on 210 parous women willing to receive LNG‐IUD and delivered only by elective cesarean delivery (CD). Participants received 200 μg vaginal misoprostol or 5 ml of LP cream 5% or placebo 3 h before LNG‐IUS insertion. Primary outcome was pain during LNG‐IUD insertion, while secondary outcomes were pain 10 min post‐procedure, ease of insertion, patient satisfaction, insertion time, and drug side effects.ResultsPain during LNG‐IUS insertion was reduced in LP group and misoprostol group compared to placebo group (2.1 ± 1.0 vs 3.7 ± 1.6; p <0.001) and (2.3 ± 1.3 vs 3.7 ± 1.6; p <0.001), respectively. Ease of procedure and patient satisfaction were significantly higher in LP and misoprostol groups than placebo (P <0.001). Need for additional analgesia was significantly higher in placebo group than in the other two groups (P = 0.009). Adverse events were not significantly different between the three groups except vomiting and abdominal cramps, which were higher with misoprostol.ConclusionLP cream and 200 μg of vaginal misoprostol administration before LNG‐IUD insertion in women delivered only by elective CD effectively reduced pain during insertion and 10 min post‐procedure with easier insertions, high patient satisfaction, and tolerable side effects. Pain reduction with LP cream was clinically significant.