Your Comfort During Every Procedure Matters to Us
At The Ob-Gyn Center, we have always believed that excellent medical care and patient comfort should never be at odds with each other. Whether you are here for a routine Pap smear, an IUD insertion, a LEEP procedure, or a MonaLisa Touch treatment, we want your experience to reflect the same standard of care that defines everything we do.
That is why we are excited to introduce Pro-Nox to our practice, a patient-controlled comfort system that uses a safe blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen to help ease pain, anxiety, and stress during your visit. It is one more way we are putting you in the driver’s seat of your own healthcare experience.
What Is Pro-Nox?
Pro-Nox is an FDA-cleared analgesic system that delivers a fixed 50/50 mixture of nitrous oxide (sometimes called “laughing gas”) and oxygen through a handheld mouthpiece. You breathe in when you want relief and stop when you do not need it. It is that simple.
This is not general anesthesia. You will not “go under.” You stay fully awake, fully aware, and fully in control of your own comfort the entire time. The effects begin within a few breaths and wear off within minutes after you stop, which means you can drive yourself home and return to your normal activities with no downtime.
Pro-Nox has been trusted by more than 9,000 medical practices across the United States and Canada.
Why We Added Pro-Nox to Our Practice
We listen to our patients. We know that anxiety and discomfort are real barriers to care. Some women delay important procedures, cancel appointments, or avoid recommended treatments because they are worried about pain. That is not something we are willing to accept.
In 2024, both the CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued updated guidelines urging providers to take patient pain more seriously during gynecologic procedures, particularly IUD insertions. These guidelines called for a patient-centered approach to pain management, recognizing that the experience of pain is individual and influenced by factors including past trauma and anxiety.
Pro-Nox has been trusted by more than 9,000 medical practices across the United States and Canada.
How Pro-Nox Works During Your Visit
There is nothing complicated about using Pro-Nox. Here is what to expect:
Before your procedure begins, your provider will offer Pro-Nox as an option. If you choose to use it, you will be given a disposable mouthpiece connected to the Pro-Nox system. You hold the mouthpiece yourself and breathe in through it whenever you feel you need relief. The system only delivers the nitrous oxide and oxygen blend when you inhale, so you are always in complete control of how much you receive and when you receive it.
Within just a few breaths, you will begin to feel a sense of calm and relaxation. Many patients describe it as taking the edge off, easing both physical discomfort and the mental tension that can make procedures feel worse than they need to. You remain conscious and responsive throughout.
When the procedure is finished, or when you simply stop breathing through the mouthpiece, the effects begin to clear within minutes. There is no grogginess, no lingering sedation, and no need for a driver. You walk out the same way you walked in.
Which Procedures Can Pro-Nox Help With?
Pro-Nox can be used with a wide range of in-office procedures and treatments that we already offer at The Ob-Gyn Center, including:
IUD Insertions and Removals
IUD pain has become one of the most talked-about topics in women’s health. Many women experience significant discomfort during placement, and some avoid this highly effective contraceptive method entirely because of it. Pro-Nox can help take the edge off, making the process more manageable and less intimidating.
LEEP Procedures
If you need a LEEP procedure for cervical dysplasia, you may feel anxious about what to expect. Pro-Nox can help you stay calm and more comfortable while your provider addresses the abnormal cells, complementing the local anesthesia already used during the procedure.
In-Office Hysteroscopy
Our Endosee hysteroscopy allows your provider to evaluate the uterus for abnormalities without a trip to the operating room. While this is a significant advantage, the procedure can still cause cramping and anxiety. Pro-Nox helps ease both so you can get through the exam with less distress.
MonaLisa Touch Treatments
MonaLisa Touch laser therapy can be life-changing for women dealing with vaginal dryness, laxity, or menopausal symptoms. While many patients tolerate it well, some experience discomfort during treatment. Pro-Nox gives you an option to make each session more comfortable.
Endometrial Ablation
For patients undergoing Hydrothermablation for abnormal uterine bleeding, Pro-Nox provides an additional layer of comfort management alongside your provider’s existing pain management approach.
Pap Smears and Pelvic Exams
These are routine and essential, but “routine” does not mean comfortable for everyone. If you experience anxiety during pelvic exams, have a sensitive cervix, or find that past experiences have made these visits stressful, Pro-Nox can help you relax so your provider can do their best work.
Endometrial and Cervical Biopsies
When a biopsy is recommended, it is because your provider needs answers. The last thing that should stand between you and important diagnostic information is fear of discomfort. Pro-Nox provides rapid relief during tissue sampling, helping you stay calm while your provider gets the samples they need.
Colposcopy
A colposcopy allows your provider to take a closer look at the cervix when something needs further evaluation. The procedure can cause cramping and anxiety. Pro-Nox helps ease both.
Is Pro-Nox Safe?
Yes. The 50/50 blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen used in Pro-Nox has an extensive safety record spanning more than 100 years of use in medical settings worldwide. It is non-addictive and has been shown to reduce the need for opioids and other pain medications.
Because you self-administer Pro-Nox through a demand valve that only releases the gas when you inhale, there is no risk of over-administration. If you stop breathing through the mouthpiece at any point, the delivery stops immediately.
Pro-Nox is not appropriate for everyone. Your provider will review your medical history before recommending it. It is generally not recommended for patients with vitamin B12 deficiency or certain types of anemia, patients with COPD or active respiratory conditions, or patients who have had recent middle ear surgery.
What Does Pro-Nox Cost?
Pro-Nox is an elective comfort service and is not covered by insurance. The fee covers your use of the system for the duration of your procedure. Many patients find that Pro-Nox is eligible for reimbursement through Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
Frequently Asked Questions About Pro-Nox
Most patients describe the sensation as a wave of calm and relaxation. Some say it feels like a light “happy buzz,” similar to having a glass of wine. Others feel slightly giggly or just noticeably less tense. You do not feel “out of it” or disconnected. You can still talk to your provider, follow instructions, and remain aware of what is happening. The feeling begins within a few breaths and fades within minutes once you stop inhaling.
Not exactly. Dental offices typically use nitrous oxide at concentrations up to 70%, and the dentist controls how much you receive. Pro-Nox uses a fixed 50/50 blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen, a lower concentration, and you control the delivery entirely yourself through a handheld mouthpiece. You breathe in when you want relief and stop when you do not. This self-administered design is a key safety feature that prevents over-administration.
No. Pro-Nox is not a sedative and does not impair your judgment or lower your inhibitions the way general anesthesia or certain medications can. You remain fully conscious and in control of what you say and do. Some patients become more relaxed or talkative, but you will not lose awareness or behave in ways that feel out of character.
In 2024, both the CDC and ACOG updated their guidelines to recommend that providers discuss pain management options with patients before IUD placement. Available options can include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (though research suggests limited effectiveness), topical or injected lidocaine, and analgesic systems like Pro-Nox. At The Ob-Gyn Center, we offer Pro-Nox as one of the tools available to help manage both the pain and the anxiety associated with IUD insertions. Talk to your provider about which combination of approaches is right for you.
Yes. While many patients tolerate MonaLisa Touch well, some experience discomfort during the laser treatment, particularly in sensitive areas. Pro-Nox can help you stay relaxed and comfortable throughout your session. Ask your provider when you schedule your appointment.
Yes. Pro-Nox complements other pain management methods. For procedures like LEEP or biopsies where local anesthesia is already part of the protocol, Pro-Nox adds an additional layer of comfort by addressing the anxiety and general discomfort that local anesthesia alone may not fully cover.
Yes. If you experience anxiety or discomfort during routine gynecologic exams, Pro-Nox can help. You can use it before and during your exam to take the edge off, which not only makes the experience more comfortable for you but also helps your provider get the best results. A relaxed patient allows for a more thorough and accurate exam.
Pro-Nox is available for a wide range of in-office procedures and exams, including IUD insertions and removals, Pap smears, pelvic exams, biopsies, colposcopy, hysteroscopy, LEEP, MonaLisa Touch, endometrial ablation, and labor and delivery. If you are unsure whether Pro-Nox is appropriate for your specific visit, ask when you schedule your appointment and your provider will advise you.
Pro-Nox is an elective comfort service and is not covered by insurance. Many patients use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds to cover the cost. Please discuss specific costs with the office.
Side effects are uncommon and typically mild. Some patients experience brief dizziness, light-headedness, or mild nausea, which resolve quickly once you stop inhaling. Staying well-hydrated before your appointment can help minimize these effects.
Oral medications like Valium or prescription pain relievers take 30 to 60 minutes to take effect, can leave you groggy for hours, and require someone else to drive you home. Pro-Nox takes effect in seconds, you control the dose in real time based on what you are feeling, and it clears your system within minutes. There is no pre-medication wait time, no lingering sedation, and no need for a driver.
Yes. The Ob-Gyn Center offers Pro-Nox at our office located at 9970 W Cheyenne Ave, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89129. Call (702) 978-8900 to ask about Pro-Nox when scheduling your next appointment.
You Should Not Have to Choose Between Necessary Care and Comfort
Too many women put off procedures because they dread the experience. At The Ob-Gyn Center, we refuse to let discomfort be the reason you delay the care you need. Pro-Nox is one more way we are putting you in control of your health, your body, and your experience in our office.
Ready to learn more?
Ask about Pro-Nox when you schedule your next appointment, or contact our office at (702) 978-8900.
Pro-Nox (U.S. FDA 510(k) #K311687) is indicated for delivering a 50%/50% mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, on demand, to a conscious, spontaneously breathing patient.