An Ontario hospital network has set up a specialized room to make some gynecological procedures less painful, as it prioritizes women's health and patient comfort.
London Health Sciences Center has announced the introduction of a female minors treatment room offering a range of procedures including IUD insertion and removal, biopsies, pap smears and pelvic exams for people with a history of trauma.
The room is equipped with the same monitoring tools as a standard operating room, but is designed for smaller, less intensive surgeries where patients receive “conscious sedation.”
Previously, such procedures were performed in clinics or operating rooms, and pain management options were limited to lidocaine cream, cervical blocks, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when anesthesia was not used, LHSC said.
Get weekly health news
Get the latest medical news and health information every Sunday.
“We know that fear of pain and discomfort can cause patients to avoid treatment,” says Dr. Erin Lovett, an obstetrician-gynecologist at LHSC. “Now we can tell them they have more options to stay comfortable.”
The hospital network said this will allow patients to benefit from a more flexible experience.
“They do not need to arrive early, can eat and drink before their appointment, and are usually ready to leave within 30 minutes of completing their procedure,” LHSC said.
“Most surgeries take only 5 to 15 minutes, but appointments are scheduled with enough time for patients to proceed at their own pace. The entire visit, from check-in to recovery, takes just an hour, which is a significant reduction in time compared to the half-day or full day required in a traditional operating room environment.”
Health Details More Videos
LHSC also said the room is designed to feel more personal and staffed only by doctors and nurses, creating a “quieter, more relaxed environment” and eliminating the full surgical team found in other operating rooms.
“Overall, it's not a very difficult experience, and it gives patients peace of mind and a sense of control over their bodies and their care,” Lovett said.
If space is available, wait times for minor gynecological procedures can range from one week to three months, depending on the level of urgency, the hospital network said.
People seeking sedation for IUD insertion or removal can self-refer by calling or emailing for an appointment, but LHSC says most patients are referred to a specialty room by their gynecologist.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.