Women have long called for a change around IUD insertion pain

WHAT’S ON DECK

• Tell Me More: Shining a light on the painful history of IUD insertion 

• Troublemaker Spotlight: Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries

• Dear FQ: My new job is not what I expected. Should I stay or go?

• Poll the Pack: When is it time to put down the phone?

TELL ME MORE

It took viral social media videos for health officials to finally tell doctors to help women manage pain during IUD insertion 

The approval of the birth control pill in 1960 made history, and gave women reproductive choices they’d never had before. A few years later, the copper IUD was introduced, followed by the first hormonal IUD in the 1970s, though the earliest versions weren’t widely trusted. It wasn’t until the FDA approval of Mirena, a hormonal IUD, in 2000 that IUDs became a more popular form of birth control. Finally, women had options for their reproductive health and could make choices based on their bodies and preferences. 

Today, the IUD is the third most popular form of birth control for women. But its insertion can be painful—"excruciating", "agonizing", and "debilitating" are all ways the process has been described. And healthcare providers have been slow to recognize and respond, in line with women’s pain historically being discounted or dismissed. In fact, we know that women’s medical concerns are dismissed at higher rates than those of men, with with 72% of women who say they’ve experienced medical gaslighting.

Women’s pain management has been making headlines with the announcement of ADAM™, the male birth control gel created in 2015 that is deemed totally safe and effective—and, here’s the kicker: it qualifies for local anesthesia. Meanwhile, the female IUD insertion is still largely performed without any pain relief.

Why does this matter? 

• Less than 5% of women are offered an injection of a local anesthetic for an IUD procedure.

• 81% of women say their pain has been ignored or dismissed by a healthcare provider.

Women are increasingly encouraged to take control of their health and advocate for themselves, but we need doctors on our side in order to see real change. “There’s a pain gap, but there’s also a credibility gap. Women are not believed about their bodies—period,” says Anushay Hossain, author of "The Pain Gap.” 

The good news is, we’re moving in the right direction. Women took to social media to share their painful IUD insertion experiences—and the world listened. As their stories gained traction and the media amplified the conversation, real change followed.

The CDC has updated its guidelines, now recommending lidocaine (a local anesthetic) to help manage patient pain during IUD placement. It’s a long-overdue step toward prioritizing women’s health and ensuring a less painful, more compassionate experience.

Bottom line: Women are increasingly encouraged to take control of their health and advocate for themselves. You deserve to be heard, believed, and treated with respect.

PRESENTED BY

Women Will Not be Left Behind in the AI Revolution

It started with a walk.

Frustrated by the lack of women in leadership at major conferences, Shelley Zalis, Founder and CEO of The Female Quotient, introduced the Women Walk the Floor tour at Mobile World Congress—gathering women to show up, be seen, and claim space in industries where they've historically been overlooked.

Enter Newnal and visionary founder YT Kim, giving people the power to create and shape their digital lives. Their groundbreaking AI agent phone took MWC by storm, generating buzz, media attention, and genuine excitement. When Shelley saw their Proof-of-Concept mockup, she was thrilled—it was a bold preview of everything we’ll want from AI in the future. With plans to launch the devices this year, Newnal is making one thing clear: women won’t just use AI—they’ll lead its next era.

This isn’t just about technology. It’s about building a future where everyone can succeed.

TROUBLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT

Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries

Jess Smith received a LinkedIn recommendation from a former colleague that says, “Prediction: Jessica will be a team president within 10 years.” That was five years ago. Guess who’s president now? 

With over 18 years of experience in the fast-paced world of professional sports, Jess has made a name for herself, and quickly. Filled with innovative plays, she revolutionized the sports industry with the “Fan Fueled Player Fund,” where Angel City Football Club players receive 1% of net ticketing proceeds for advertising ticket sales with their names and likeness. In 2024, she was named a Sports Business Journal Power Player in Women's Sports for her outstanding contributions to the game. It’s clear we’ll see more award-winning ideas for female athletes and fans from Jess and her team, and probably in record time. 

FQ: What’s the worst career advice you’ve gotten?

To do something a certain way because “it's always been done that way” or because it's the path of least resistance. That's also the path of least opportunity.

What’s the best piece of non-obvious career advice you’ve gotten?

There is no balance, just choice. What you spend time on grows; choose wisely. 

What was a “heartbeat moment” for you in your career?

I was approached by Angel City, before it was even called Angel City, to learn more and be a friend of the project. I immediately knew that all roads had led me to that moment. It was powerful to see the group that had come together to utilize their social influence to disrupt sport and build toward a more equitable future. 

Many people in my life questioned my decision to join the project in the middle of the pandemic, and at the time, in an unstable league. But I knew in my core that this aligned with my values and expertise. This decision not only led to the success of Angel City and my professional growth, but has truly been part of defining a path forward for gender equity in sports that I'm grateful to be a small part of.

Imagine you just received a leadership award. Who are you thanking?

1. The co-founders of Angel City, Julie Uhrman, Natalie Portman, and Kara Nortman for their fearless pursuit of launching Angel City and for trusting me to play a pivotal role.

2. Susie Piotrkowski, currently the head of women’s sports at ESPN. She has been a friend as we’ve navigated this industry together, and now a teammate in the growth and future of the women’s sports industry.

3. My mom. I grew up with a single mom who was adamant that I had the opportunity to play sports, music, and build community, leading me to having the skills and access to figure out the career I have today. Her work ethic will forever be ingrained in me.

Where have you caused trouble?

Historically, the valuation of assets in women’s sports was based on outdated data and benchmarks. I’ve caused trouble by challenging the status quo with a modernized approach to the unique value proposition of women’s sports.

I’m also relentless, with a non-charitable approach to women’s sports. It’s a product in its own right, and we need to build around it in order to move the market forward.

DEAR FQ

Your burning career questions answered

Shelley Zalis of The Female Quotient weighs in:

Before making a decision, take a breath. The first few months in any role can be overwhelming.

Every job has a learning curve, and adjusting to new dynamics takes time. But if your gut is telling you something deeper is wrong, it’s time for honest reflection: 

• Ask yourself: Is this a temporary challenge or a long-term misalignment? If the work is difficult but exciting, and the environment is supportive, it might be worth pushing through. But if the culture, leadership, or expectations feel completely out of sync with what you need to thrive, no amount of “sticking it out” will change that.

• Consider if there’s room to shape the role into something better. Can you have a conversation with your manager to adjust responsibilities, seek support, or shift priorities? Sometimes, the best opportunities come from advocating for change rather than accepting the status quo.

• Ask yourself the most important question: If nothing changes, will I regret staying? Picture yourself a year from now—are you thriving, or are you feeling even more stuck? If the answer is the latter, follow your heart and move on.

If the job has potential, lean in and give it time. But if it’s draining you with no upside, walking away isn’t failure—it’s choosing yourself. You’re in power—own your next move.

P.S. Got a burning career question? Serve it up here to Dear FQ to score advice from a powerhouse leader in our network.

POLL THE PACK

We love and need our phones, but it’s time to put them down

Cell phones have revolutionized the way we stay connected, document memories, and even get work done. But with adults averaging 6 hours and 37 minutes of screen time every day, it’s worth making a point to put it down when you can. 

Studies show that more than two hours of screen time outside of work can be attributed to social isolation, neck pain, and poor mental health. On the flip side, off-screen human connection can help reduce the risk of chronic disease and serious illness. So challenge yourself to take intentional breaks to disconnect from work, news, and social media! 

Notice yourself grabbing your phone for a walk, coffee, or even a bathroom break? Consider leaving it behind. 9 times out of 10, it can wait.

Here’s to unplugging—it’s when the best ideas bloom. 💡

Xo,

The FQ

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