Frequently Asked Questions

IUD insertion is uncomfortable for most people, and some find it genuinely painful. The cervix is stretched slightly during the procedure, which causes cramping. However, the level of discomfort depends heavily on what your provider does to manage it. At our practice, every IUD insertion includes nitrous oxide, TENS therapy, heating pads, and a cervical block — which makes the experience significantly more comfortable than taking ibuprofen alone.

Read our full guide on IUD insertion pain →

We offer both copper and hormonal IUDs. The copper IUD (Paragard) is hormone-free and lasts up to 10 years. Hormonal options include Mirena/Liletta (8 years), Kyleena (5 years), and Skyla (3 years). Mirena and Liletta are the same type of IUD — we stock Liletta, but if you've heard of Mirena, they're interchangeable. During your consultation, we'll help you decide which one is the best fit for your body and your goals.

Learn more about IUD options →

If you're a new patient, yes — we require a Sedation Gynecology Consultation before your IUD insertion. This can be in office or via telehealth. We'll review your health history, discuss which IUD is right for you, and build your comfort plan together. If you're a current patient, you can book your insertion directly — unless you'd like nitrous oxide and haven't discussed it with us yet, in which case we ask that you book the consultation first so we can go over everything.

The actual insertion takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Your full appointment is longer because we take time to get you settled, apply comfort measures (TENS unit, heating pads, nitrous oxide), perform the cervical block, and make sure you're feeling good before you leave.

Yes. Nitrous oxide wears off within a few minutes of removing the mask. Unlike IV sedation or general anesthesia, nitrous doesn't impair your ability to drive. Most patients rest briefly after the procedure and drive themselves home.

Yes. If your IUD is expiring or you want to switch to a different type, we can remove the old one and insert a new one in a single appointment. The full comfort protocol is included.

No. You can book directly with us — no referral needed. New patients are welcome.

For most patients, yes — at no out-of-pocket cost. Under the Affordable Care Act, IUDs are classified as preventive care and are covered by most insurance plans without a copay or deductible. We accept CareFirst, Anthem, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and UHC.

View insurance details →

Eat a normal meal before your appointment — don't come on an empty stomach. You can take ibuprofen beforehand if you'd like, but it's not required since we provide a full comfort protocol. Wear comfortable clothing. If you have questions or feel anxious, that's completely normal — we'll walk through everything before we start.

Some cramping and spotting for a few days is normal. Most people feel back to normal within 24 to 48 hours. We recommend resting the day of your insertion if possible. We'll follow up to make sure you're doing well, and you can always reach us through the patient portal if something feels off.

Absolutely. IUDs are safe and effective for people who have never been pregnant. The cervix may be slightly tighter, which is one reason our comfort protocol — especially the cervical block — makes such a difference for these patients.

Yes, and some providers prefer it because the cervix is slightly softer during menstruation. But it's not required. We can insert an IUD at any point in your cycle.

Sedation gynecology means using proven pain management techniques during gynecological procedures so you're comfortable the entire time. At our practice, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas), TENS therapy, heating pads, and cervical blocks. TENS therapy, heating pads, and cervical blocks are available at no extra charge. Nitrous oxide is available for a $50 fee, which covers the cost of a new, single-use mask required by law for each patient. We discuss your comfort plan during your consultation so we set up exactly what you want.

Learn more about sedation gynecology →

Nitrous oxide — commonly known as laughing gas — is a mild sedative you breathe through a mask during your procedure. It's the same thing used in dental offices. It reduces anxiety and dulls pain perception without putting you to sleep. It's been used safely in medical settings for over 150 years. You remain fully conscious and can communicate with your provider throughout.

Read more about nitrous oxide for IUD insertion →

It's a visit — in office or via telehealth — where we review your health history, discuss your procedure, and build your comfort plan together. This is required for all new IUD patients and for anyone wanting nitrous oxide who hasn't discussed it with us before. You'll find it under the new patient menu when booking online. The consultation is billed as a standard office visit and is typically covered by insurance.

Book a consultation →

No. The comfort protocol is customizable. If you'd prefer not to use nitrous oxide, we still offer TENS therapy, heating pads, and cervical blocks. We discuss your preferences during your consultation and build a comfort plan that works for you.

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. It's a small device that sends gentle electrical pulses through pads placed on your skin. These pulses interfere with pain signals traveling to your brain, reducing the cramping sensation during procedures. It's non-invasive and many patients find it makes a noticeable difference.

A cervical block is a local anesthetic injected near the cervix to numb the area before a procedure. It's similar to the numbing shot you'd get at the dentist before a filling. It significantly reduces the sharp cramping that most people feel during IUD insertion or other cervical procedures.

TENS therapy, heating pads, and cervical blocks are available at no extra charge when requested. Nitrous oxide is available for a $50 fee, which covers the cost of a new, single-use mask that we're required by law to provide for each patient. We discuss your comfort plan during your consultation so there are no surprises on procedure day.

Our comfort protocol is available for IUD insertion and removal, Nexplanon insertion and removal, endometrial biopsies, and other gynecological procedures. If you're anxious about any procedure, let us know during your consultation and we'll make a plan.

Yes — this is exactly why we built our sedation gynecology practice. Many of our patients come to us specifically because they've had bad experiences elsewhere or have been putting off care due to anxiety. Between the nitrous oxide, the comfort measures, and the fact that we never rush your visit, most patients tell us the experience was much easier than they expected.

Read what helps anxious patients →

We accept CareFirst, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield (HMO and PPO), Aetna (HMO and PPO), Cigna (HMO and PPO), and UHC (United Health Care — all plans). We no longer accept Medicaid.

View full insurance details →

Under the Affordable Care Act, most FDA-approved contraceptive methods — including IUDs, implants, pills, and more — are covered as preventive care with no out-of-pocket cost for most patients. This applies to most commercial insurance plans.

For most insured patients, IUDs are covered at no cost under the ACA's preventive care mandate. This typically includes both the device and the insertion procedure. If you're unsure about your specific plan, call the number on your insurance card and ask if IUD insertion is covered as preventive care.

We no longer accept Medicaid insurance.

We are in the process of becoming credentialed with Tricare. Please contact us before scheduling to check current status.

Contact us to discuss self-pay options. We can provide pricing information for specific services during your consultation.

The fastest way is through the patient portal. You can send messages, request refills, ask scheduling questions, and view test results — all without waiting on hold or going through an answering service. Phone calls and emails get routed through our answering service first, so the portal is always faster.

Open patient portal →

You can book online 24/7 through our scheduling system. You can also call us at (301) 241-8181 during business hours. We offer both in-office visits at our Kensington, MD location and telehealth visits.

Book an appointment →

Yes. We offer telehealth for consultations, follow-ups, birth control refills, hormone therapy management, and more. We're licensed to see patients via telehealth in VA, MD, ME, DE, MA, NY, CT, WA, OR, IL, NM, and Washington D.C.

We try to keep a few same-day slots available and prioritize existing patients for these. We can't guarantee same-day availability, but contact us and we'll do our best.

We're paperless — fill out your intake forms online before you arrive. When you get here, your Nurse Practitioner handles your entire visit, from checking you in and taking vitals to your exam. We never double-book, so you get unhurried, focused time. We take the time to listen to your story and understand your health goals before making any recommendations.

Never. We schedule extra time for every visit so you're never rushed and never waiting because another patient is being seen in parallel.

Your Nurse Practitioner will personally contact you through the patient portal or by phone to review all lab and test results. You won't be left wondering or playing phone tag with front desk staff.

We're at 3720 Farragut Ave, Suite 202, Kensington, MD 20895. The office is near public transportation with free parking available.

Get directions →

Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We're closed on weekends.

Yes. We are a queer and veteran owned practice, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care is core to who we are. We offer transgender hormone therapy, PrEP, comprehensive STI care, and reproductive healthcare for all genders in an environment designed to be safe and welcoming.

Learn about our LGBTQIA+ services →

Yes. We provide hormone assessment, consultation, and ongoing transgender hormone therapy management. We operate from a model of informed consent — you don't need a letter from a therapist to start hormones.

Yes. We prescribe and monitor PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) for patients at elevated risk. This service is available to patients of all genders.

We do not provide comprehensive pregnancy care or attend births. If you're a current patient and become pregnant, we coordinate your care and help find the right provider for you. We do not provide services past the first trimester.

We offer some services to cisgender men — including STI testing, PrEP prescriptions, and basic sick visits. However, we don't provide comprehensive primary care or annual visits for cis men. We recommend seeking a men's health clinic or primary care provider for ongoing care.

Yes. We offer birth control pills, the ring, the shot, Nexplanon (arm implant), diaphragms, cervical caps, and condoms. We also provide IUD consultations for people considering an IUD. We'll help you find the method that fits your body and your life.

View birth control options →

Only if you're a current patient — we can coordinate your care and help find the right provider for your pregnancy and birth. We're not able to provide referrals for people who haven't been seen at our practice.

It means we recognize that healthcare settings can be triggering for many people. Every aspect of your visit — from how we communicate to how we conduct exams — is designed to prioritize your sense of safety and control. We explain everything before we do it, check in with you throughout, and respect your boundaries without question.

HAES is a healthcare philosophy that focuses on health behaviors rather than weight. It means we don't weigh you unless it's medically necessary, we don't lecture you about BMI, and we provide the same quality of care and respect regardless of body size. Your weight is not the focus of your visit — your health and wellbeing are.