Womens pain has long been discounted by medical professionals. In fact, research shows that doctors take womens pain less seriously when compared to men.

This will be no surprise, of course, to any woman whos had debilitating period cramps, pregnancy pains or undergone any kind of outpatient procedure, including one in particular that has garnered attention for its severe discomfort: IUD insertion and removal.

IUDs are a small, T-shaped form of birth control thats inserted into the uterus through the cervix. For years, people on social media have shared harrowing experiences about their IUD process to try and advocate for better pain management during the procedure. The most common guidance is for patients to take over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen beforehand; in other words, pain management is not nearly useful enough.

However, public advocacy has seemingly started to work. Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance that says doctors should take IUD pain seriously and talk to their patients about it, as well as offer additional pain management options for them, including anesthetic gels and sprays. But some experts say this isnt enough, arguing that the lack of research on this issue is hurting women.

For many people, the insertion and removal of an IUD is absolutely brutal so much so that many folks are afraid to get it, despite the fact that its one of the most effective and long-lasting forms of birth control.

Below, HuffPost readers shared their real-life IUD experiences to bring more awareness to the procedure. These stories are proof we need better, more effective options for those getting the device. (The responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.)

I broke out into a sweat and thought I was going to faint.

I got my IUD in my late 20s. I decided to try the Mirena IUD because it had hormones. When my gynecologist inserted the IUD, I was not prepared for the pain I was about to experience. Once she released the IUD in my body, I instantly felt pain. I broke out into a sweat and thought I was going to faint. I instantly swelled and wondered why I wasnt given anything for the pain. They prescribed me no medication for the pain.

For months, I had complications from the IUD. I had bloating, discharge and a smell that was very funky. My doctor was not concerned and gave me antibiotics. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I researched my symptoms and read experiences from other women with the same issues.

I knew it was the IUD and decided to have it removed. When my doctor finally removed my IUD, it was instant relief. The only thing my doctor said to me after she removed the IUD was, Call me when youre pregnant. Then she walked out the door. Shes not my gynecologist anymore. That whole experience was awful. No empathy whatsoever, and I felt very alone. Mary H. from Savannah, Georgia.

I ended up in the ER.

I had a very painful time. I wanted a tubal, but the male OB-GYN wouldnt do it because I hadnt had children. He offered an IUD. I was never told about the pain.

It was so very painful both insertion and after. I ended up in the ER after a couple of days, begging them to take it out. The ER removed it. Laura D. from Minnesota.

I was in so much pain I sweat through the paper liner on the exam bed.

I was not given anything for pain, and it hurt so much I can only describe my bodys reaction as full flop sweat. Afterward, I was dismissed and told that a regular Tylenol back at home would help any discomfort. I was in so much pain I sweat through the paper liner on the exam bed.

I went to my regular OB. We actually have a good relationship, so when I decided to get an IUD, I expected her to give me a real assessment of how much it would hurt. Ive had that IUD going on three years, and Im already nervous about getting it taken out and getting another one. Maya from Washington, D.C.

It felt like being stabbed in the vagina with a large needle multiple times.

I had my gynecologist attempt to insert an IUD on two separate occasions ... when I asked if I could have anesthesia, she said it was not allowed. Due to the intense pain and discomfort, I refused to try a third time.

No medication was given or offered to me. My doctor stated that the pain was due to the shape of my cervix.

Ive had a C-section, a few surgeries and dental work, but nothing compared to the raw and barbaric insertion of an IUD. It felt like being stabbed in the vagina with a large needle multiple times! I almost kicked my doctor in the face after she tried reinserting for the final time. Jamie A. from New York City.

They thought the IUD had gone through my uterus.

I had an IUD inserted a few years ago, which was the most painful experience of my life, and ended up in the hospital a week later due to the overwhelming continuing pain (for which I was made out to be wasting hospital resources).

I was in the hospital for a few hours after almost passing out in the waiting room and they gave me some morphine and did a scan because I was in so much pain that they thought the IUD had gone through my uterus. However, the scan showed that it was in place, and so I was told that I was fine and should not have received morphine. It made me feel really stupid and ashamed for going there in the first place.

I left and was still unable to walk properly for a few days, and was having intense contraction-like pain that lasted around a week. I later ended up having two surgeries revealing Stage 3 endometriosis and suspected adenomyosis, and so the IUD likely was an aggravating factor. I had it removed about two months after insertion by a different doctor. Brooke B. from California.

They just kept telling me to take deep breaths, which really did not help at all.

I have had two IUD insertions and one removal. The first insertion, I was offered valium, which was awesome. I was not offered anything for the removal and reinsertion, which was truly indescribable how painful that was.

Getting it out was definitely worse than getting it in however, the first insertion they had to do twice because they did not insert it high enough the first time! They just kept telling me to take deep breaths, which really did not help at all. It felt like someone scraping the inside of me, but with a giant metal straw cleaner, over and over again. I dont even want to get mine out again due to how bad it was! Alyssa H. from Denver.

The insertion was as painful as labor.

First experience it was within a year of having my last child. I had a nurse practitioner do the procedure at my regular doctors office. I was given nothing ahead of time for pain. The nurse said I would feel a little pinch the insertion was as painful as labor. When I told the nurse how painful it was, she told me it shouldnt be and to just breathe.

It was excruciating, and I thought I was going to pass out. She kept telling me it shouldnt be this painful, which made me think it was just me. I definitely felt like my pain was completely discounted and dismissed. It was absolutely awful. When it was done, I was covered in sweat, I was dizzy, and I felt nauseous. I was determined to never get one again.

When my five years were up, I met with a new nurse practitioner and told her about my experience, and that I didnt want to go through that again. She gave me a prescription for Xanax to take beforehand. She assured me that that level of pain shouldnt be happening again, and shed do whatever she could to make sure of it. I also took Advil before the appointment, per her recommendation. She also applied some numbing cream to my cervix before the procedure. She removed my old IUD and inserted a new one. It was so much better! I felt pressure and maybe a pinch, but I couldnt believe how much better the experience was. I know now that it IS possible to have them inserted without feeling like Im going to pass out if the practitioner actually takes the time to listen to their patient and also provide medications ahead of time. Jenn P. from Washington.