Paracervical Block for Saline Infusion Sonogram in Fertility Evaluation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Pain management during gynecologic procedures is an important women's health issue, especially because inadequate pain control can discourage patients from seeking further care. This research investigates whether local anesthesia, specifically a lidocaine paracervical block, can reduce pain during saline infusion sonograms (SIS), a routine fertility evaluation that examines the uterus and fallopian tubes. The study compares pain experiences in women receiving lidocaine versus a placebo to better understand if local anesthesia improves comfort during SIS. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receives a paracervical block with 10cc of 1% lidocaine buffered with sodium bicarbonate, while the other receives a placebo procedure where a capped needle is pressed against the paracervical area without injection. The trial is designed as a randomized controlled study and includes women undergoing saline infusion sonograms that assess both uterine cavity and tubal patency using a balloon catheter. Women in the study will report pain intensity at multiple points throughout the procedure, including during anesthesia administration, catheter placement, saline infusion, and after completion. The primary measurement focuses on pain during tubal patency assessment within 30 minutes of procedure start. Researchers will also monitor the need for additional devices and any inability to receive the anesthesia. The trial runs until July 2026 and aims to provide clearer guidance on pain management during fertility evaluations.

Paracervical Block for Pain Reduction in Saline Infusion Sonograms