Endometrial Aspiration: Less Pain, More Gain

Several techniques can decrease thediscomfort of an endometrial aspiration.First, describe the procedurethoroughly, and offer to play a relaxationtape. If you need to apply atenaculum, ask the patient to cough 6times while you slowly close thetenaculum around the cervix. Thecoughing distracts the patient andthereby reduces the pain. When youperform the aspiration, have the patientcount backwards from 20 to 0with you. Not only does the countingdistract the patient, but she knowsthat when she reaches 0, the procedureis finished.
-Susan Green Cooksey, PhD, NP
  Portland, Ore