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Vox
10-07-2025
- Health
- Vox
What if IUD insertion didn't have to be so painful?
The appointment before she got her first intrauterine device, or IUD, Ana Ni's doctor asked about her pain tolerance. Low, she said; medium, if she's being generous. The clinic had just begun offering nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to patients to help manage pain during IUD placements and, given the alternative — to undergo the procedure sans anesthetics — she gladly accepted. Before the insertion late last year, Ni, a 26-year-old health care consultant, took deep breaths of the nitrous oxide. She started to feel woozy. 'Initially you just feel relaxed,' she says, 'and then suddenly you get a bit of a head high, similar to when you would hit a vape. That kind of feeling, but intensify it more.' During the procedure, she continued to breathe the gas through cramping. Without the laughing gas, she suspects the pain would have been more acute. 'I know it's a short procedure,' Ni says, 'but I honestly cannot imagine it without the laughing gas.' Vox Culture Culture reflects society. Get our best explainers on everything from money to entertainment to what everyone is talking about online. Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The reality is more complicated. Many patients felt they were lied to by their doctors whose only option for pain management was over-the-counter painkillers. Studies analyzing social media posts about IUD insertion found that almost all of them mentioned pain and discussed how this pain was minimized. Part warning, part public service announcement, these viral videos not only helped bring to light the real suffering patients were experiencing, but also shaped professional guidance regarding what pain management doctors should offer them. Within the past year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released updated recommendations for pain management during IUD placement. Both suggest clinicians offer local anesthetics like lidocaine spray, lidocaine-prilocaine cream, and paracervical block — an injection of anesthetic around the cervix. Other providers are going further, offering anti-anxiety medications or general anesthesia. The most effective way to address pain is perhaps the most straightforward, and the most novel: talking to patients and hearing their concerns. While the ACOG guidance found insufficient evidence to support nitrous oxide use, Ni remembers her doctor telling her how it helped other patients. She had a similarly positive review; she says she'll request it again when she needs to replace her IUD. 'Unless there's some other medication then,' she says. 'But I feel like the laughing gas will suffice.' Over 6 million people in the United States currently use IUDs as contraception, and the evolving pain management standards around them show the medical establishment has moved to address women's pain — and how much more work is left to be done. Aside from having a slate of pain management options on offer, the most effective way to address pain is perhaps the most straightforward, and the most novel: talking to patients and hearing their concerns. The shifting standards around IUD procedures point to the ways doctors are only beginning to see patients as experts of their own bodies, and to take women's concerns seriously. 'This fits right into a movement that has really picked up steam, but I doubt is the norm across medical disciplines,' says Eve Espey, a professor and chair of the department of OB-GYN and family planning at the University of New Mexico. 'But if you approach patient care in that way — in thinking about what a patient might experience with a painful outpatient procedure — [it] would dovetail very nicely into that much more patient-centered approach.' A history of pain in gynecology Intrauterine devices are a form of long-acting birth control that have grown in popularity over the last 30 years, especially among those between the ages of 25 and 34. There are two categories of IUDs: copper and hormonal, both of which prevent sperm from fertilizing eggs. Part of the allure of IUDs is that, unlike the pill, which must be taken daily, an IUD is effective for anywhere from three to 10 years, depending on type. No upkeep, no prescription refills. Some users report less cramping and bleeding during periods and less endometrial pain; others stop getting their periods altogether. 'There's also some literature that says if you tell people that something's going to hurt, that it hurts more, which is true.' Although the insertion itself only takes a few minutes, there are multiple points of pain throughout the procedure. First, the medical professional inserts the speculum, an instrument that opens the vaginal walls, which can be painful for some patients. Then, using a device called the tenaculum, the provider will grasp the cervix to straighten and hold it in place. The depth of the uterus is then measured, which can cause cramping, and finally, the IUD itself is inserted. Espey has placed countless IUDs during her 37-year career as an OB-GYN. For a while, she'd outline the risks and benefits and answer any patient questions. But she wouldn't necessarily emphasize the potential for pain in order to avoid scaring patients. 'We just assumed that if somebody came in for an IUD, that they wanted it,' Espey says. 'It's not that we wouldn't describe the fact that it was painful — I did — but it's also a little tough, because there's also some literature out there that says if you tell people that something's going to hurt, that it hurts more, which is true.' The concern was IUDs would be too difficult and painful to place for anyone else. 'On average,' Epsey says, 'women who have had vaginal births, particularly recent vaginal births, have far less pain with IUD placement than women who have not or who have only had C-sections.' Birth control pills were the go-to contraceptive method for decades, Espey says. But as more evidence emerged about the safety and efficacy of IUDs for people of all ages with uteruses, guidance about who should get an IUD began to change in the 2010s. But even as more people — particularly those who had never given birth — began to get them, the perception that the procedure was only mildly uncomfortable persisted. Indeed, medical providers often rated their patients' pain during IUD placement as significantly lower than what the patients experienced. Women and gender-nonconforming people's experiences in medical settings have long been dismissed. In a 2018 review of scientific literature about gender biases in health care, men were seen as 'stoic' when it came to pain, while women were perceived as being more sensitive to pain and 'hysterical.' Hysteria was a popular medical diagnosis for centuries, almost exclusively used to refer to women. The diagnosis was used to classify women as having a mental disorder associated with sexual and social repression and weak character. Women and gender nonconforming people's experiences in medical settings have long been dismissed. The field of gynecology has similarly nefarious origins. The 'father of modern gynecology,' James Marion Sims, developed gynecological practices by experimenting on enslaved women without anesthesia based on the false stereotype that Black people have higher pain thresholds. Amid the eugenics movement of the 1900s, those with low incomes, people of color, and people with disabilities underwent forced sterilizations. Even as late as the 1990s, contraceptive implants were marketed toward low-income Black communities as a means of controlling reproduction of those deemed unfit or unworthy of parenthood. 'I'm an OB-GYN,' says Ashley Jeanlus, a board-certified OB-GYN in Washington, DC, 'but I'm also not very naive that historically and to modern times, how we take care of patients isn't always patient-centered.' The recent CDC and ACOG pain management guidelines are a welcome change, Jeanlus says. 'We're showing that there is improvement, that we're taking important steps to making sure that we are standardizing care, ensuring that patients are receiving these procedures with compassion and dignity, and we're not telling them to just tough it out anymore,' she says. Better evidence ACOG's pain recommendations, released in May, were almost two years in the making. Between the uproar on social media and a greater availability of research showing the efficacy of local anesthetic during IUD placement and other in-office procedures, clinicians felt it appropriate to make a statement, says Kristin Riley, an OB-GYN and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at Penn State Health and one of the co-authors of the ACOG committee opinion on pain management. 'There's a lot more studies about this overall topic,' she says, 'and we wanted to pull it all together in one place where clinicians and potentially patients could see it all together and really give people options.' Both the ACOG and CDC guidelines are just that: recommendations for practitioners. They urge doctors to better understand what pain management options are available and supported by research, and to inform their patients of these options, risks, and benefits. CDC guidelines simply mention topical lidocaine 'might be useful for reducing patient pain.' ACOG goes a step further, saying pain management options 'should be discussed with and offered to all patients seeking in-office gynecologic procedures.' But whether doctors follow the guidelines is completely voluntary. Getting an IUD? Here's how to advocate for yourself. Learn about the different options for pain management. What might be best for you? Discuss your concerns, fears, and preferences with your doctor ahead of time. Don't wait until the day of your appointment to ask about anesthetics or anti-anxiety medication. Ask as many questions as you want until you feel comfortable. Make sure your doctor explains all of your options, which may include referring you to another clinic with more resources. Develop a plan. What medications will you take pre-appointment? What form of anesthetic will your provider use during the procedure? If your doctor isn't taking your concerns seriously or doesn't offer pain management that you want, find a new one. Ask if your doctor has a referral list. Or you could reach out to a hospital affiliated with a university. There might be a higher chance of finding a provider that offers additional pain management there, Jeanlus notes. You can also try searching for a provider who is fellowship trained in complex family planning , which means they have received additional training in abortion and contraceptive care. Pain is complex and subjective, which makes studying it difficult. Patients who have a history of sexual abuse and trauma or prior negative gynecological experiences can also experience greater pain during IUD placement. The number of different pain medicines — injected lidocaine, sprays and gel-based lidocaine anesthetics, over-the-counter painkillers — and the various combinations in which researchers use them in studies make it difficult to reach conclusive results, Riley says. Danielle Tsevat, an OB-GYN at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who studies gynecological pain, says the most conclusive evidence for pain relief during IUD insertion points to a lidocaine paracervical block, especially among patients who have never given birth. During her medical residency a few years ago, Tsevat had a mentor who utilized the anesthetic during IUD placements. She'd seen it used for other procedures, like abortion or miscarriage evacuations, but the shot wasn't commonly used for IUD placements. Other studies have found topical lidocaine gel or creams to be effective at minimizing pain from the tenaculum (the device that holds the cervix in place during the procedure), Tsevat says. Other methods aren't as definitive. Ibuprofen hasn't been shown to help during the insertion, but can ease cramping afterward. Some clinicians will offer anti-anxiety medications since anxiety can put a patient at higher risk for pain, Tsevat says. 'They report improved outcomes after that too,' she says. 'That one also doesn't really have much evidence behind it yet…but it's something that we've seen offered.' Nitrous oxide, what Ana Ni used during her procedure, has also shown promise in studies, Espey says. Meanwhile, misoprostol, one of the pills used in medical abortions, was found by ACOG to cause more abdominal pain during IUD placement. No one option provides a panacea because there is no one source of pain during IUD placement, and the pain itself is relatively short-lived, lasting all but a few seconds. Additionally, a shot itself can be uncomfortable. Perhaps the paracervical block — administered after the speculum is inserted — would be more effective if clinicians waited a few minutes after giving the shot. 'But that also prolongs the procedure too,' Tsevat says. 'A lot of patients just say, 'I want to get this over with and done,' and not be in the speculum for that long.' Related How to get the sexual health care you deserve During her medical training, Fran Haydanek, a board-certified OB-GYN in Rochester, New York, says she was never taught about pain management during IUD placement. After hearing from her patients, and others' horror stories on social media, she began counseling patients on pain management options and offering paracervical blocks in 2021. She estimates 80 percent of her patients opt for the injection, and her practice eats the cost because insurance won't reimburse for the medication, she says. 'There's clear guidelines from medical organizations that are saying this [medication] should be offered,' Haydanek says. 'Doctors should be reimbursed for that.' However, across the board, few providers seem to be offering these medications. In a small recent study, only 28 percent of clinics offered lidocaine, including paracervical blocks, for pain management; 85 percent recommended ibuprofen. Another study that looked at pain medications for IUD placement within the Veterans Affairs Health Care System found that lidocaine was used only 0.2 percent of the time, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used during 8 percent of IUD placements. Whose pain matters? Perhaps the most effective pain management option is IV sedation or general anesthesia, which ACOG notes requires additional research to determine risks, benefits, cost, and accessibility. It's an even more resource-intensive option. 'I would bet a million dollars that if we studied IV sedation and IUD pain that we would find that it significantly reduces pain,' Espey says. But clinics would need a pharmacy, nursing staff, advanced monitoring equipment, a recovery room — all of which could drive up costs for patients. The many years that passed before women's pain was taken seriously for IUD insertions, as well as the continued lack of research into the cost and accessibility of general anaesthesia, lead to a logical question: Whose pain does the medical establishment take seriously? Men have long been offered pain medication for below the belt treatments. Aside from medications, innovations to the devices used during IUD placement could make the procedure more comfortable. The tenaculum, for instance, the tool that grasps the cervix and is a major source of pain, dates back to the 1800s. A Swiss company, Aspivix, has developed an alternative tool, called Carevix, that uses suction to secure the cervix. The device is FDA-cleared in the US and is used in 21 health care centers worldwide, including at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Columbia University, according to the company's chief marketing officer, Ikram Guerd. Given the absence of a silver-bullet solution, the most consequential change when it comes to addressing pain is far more understated. 'The most important thing that we've done, ironically, is stressed how important it is to talk to your patient,' Espey says. Trauma-informed care — in which doctors take a patient's past into account — puts the patient at the center of treatment. When patients feel safe to discuss prior challenging IUD placements or past sexual assault, the provider can better individualize pain control. Giving survivors of sexual assault control over their medical appointments can help avoid retraumatizing them. But how much control, how much information, is appropriate to share with patients? Doctors walk the fine line between disclosing how much discomfort to expect from a procedure (and potentially causing increased anxiety) and downplaying their concerns. Research shows that the more people expect pain, the more painful the experience actually is. But to say IUD insertion is entirely pain-free might come across as gaslighting. 'Do you minimize pain to reduce that anticipatory anxiety at the expense of potentially looking like you're lying to your patient about something quite painful?' Espey says. For Espey, the sweet spot is offering patients plenty of options, from prescribing anti-anxiety medications prior to the procedure or rescheduling them at a clinic with more resources. 'Just giving patients options really helps people feel like they can make a decision,' she says. In a current study, Tsevat, the UNC OB-GYN, is surveying patients post-IUD placement. The feedback has been interesting, she says. Some patients report low pain, while others have compared the experience to razor blades in their uterus. Some were offered pain management, others were not. One participant, who was getting her IUD replaced after eight years, was delighted when her doctor explained the pain management options available. 'She said it was still painful,' Tsevat says, 'but she was just happy that she had gotten something and [it] helped her experience a little bit.' Most notably, patients hardly ever discussed their experience with their doctors afterward; it wasn't something they thought was appropriate to mention. When patients don't feel seen or taken seriously, it can have lasting impacts and may result in their avoiding future health care. While one aspect of women's pain in medicine is finally being discussed, others with painful periods or endometriosis may still feel dismissed. There's still room for more conversations, more transparency.
Arabian Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Tightens Entry Rules for Nigerian Travellers
Stringent new visa rules now govern travel from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates, marking a sharp increase in restrictions. Transit visas have been fully suspended, while tourist visas for solo applicants aged 18 to 45 are no longer allowed. Those aged 45 and above must now demonstrate a six-month bank balance of at least USD 10,000 to qualify. A directive communicated to travel agents in Dubai on Tuesday specified that Nigerians travelling alone within the 18–45‑year age range are ineligible for tourist visas, unless accompanied by a sponsor or family member. Transit visas, previously a popular route for Nigerians en route to third countries, are no longer being issued. Applicants aged 45 or above must now submit a personal Nigerian bank statement covering the past six months, with each month showing a minimum end‑balance of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent, in addition to standard documents such as hotel confirmations and passport data pages. ADVERTISEMENT This adjustment follows the lifting of a two‑year UAE visa ban on Nigerian nationals in 2024, imposed during the COVID‑19 pandemic and citing public health concerns. The lifting had been conditional, and today's measures represent a further tightening of travel policy. The new restrictions coincide with stricter visa policies implemented earlier by the United States, which limited Nigerian non‑immigrant visas to single entry and curtailed validity to three months. Analysts suggest that the synchronised timing of both countries' measures indicates a broader international shift towards more rigorous border management, with reciprocal visa policies and concerns about immigration system integrity driving the change. Nigerians have long viewed Dubai as a gateway for business, tourism, education, and transit to other global hubs. Travel agencies report a sharp drop in bookings following the announcement. Industry insiders warn further restrictions could follow, prompting delays and cancellations of travel plans. The financial bar set for older applicants is expected to deter a significant number of intended travellers. Many Nigerians do not hold such high balances, and the requirement imposes a substantial hurdle even for those capable of sponsoring companions or offering documentation via third parties. Dubai's immigration authorities emphasised the need to carefully consider the updated guidelines before submitting applications. The withholding of transit visa issuance and added financial scrutiny reflect a tightening of immigration protocols under the banner of national security and border control. While the UAE authorities have framed the policy shift as a matter of maintaining immigration integrity, Nigerian stakeholders see ramifications extending into commerce, education, and remittance flows. A sizable number of small businesses and professionals rely on Dubai as a key node in regional trade networks and financial remittance corridors. Though there has been no official response from Nigerian government representatives, travel industry actors describe a growing sense of frustration and uncertainty among would-be travellers. Agencies are now advising clients to consider alternative hubs or to ensure compliance through sponsorship arrangements and rigorous documentation. The coordinated timing with U. S. restrictions has fuelled speculation among international relations analysts that this might signal a form of external pressure or alignment. It comes amid increasing global scrutiny of passport security, fraud prevention, and efforts to stem irregular migration from parts of Africa.
Qatar Tribune
06-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Chinese investors weigh US economic promise amid geopolitical hurdles
Agencies Most local government officials in the US still welcome Chinese-invested projects despite a rise in trade tensions this year, a Chinese chamber of commerce leader said this week as potential investors weigh up economic benefits and geopolitical risks. City leaders want Chinese investment to help stimulate their local economies, especially in manufacturing projects that are hard to source elsewhere, said Ni Pin, chairman of the China General Chamber of Commerce branch in Chicago. 'There are a lot of people who want to come over here,' he said. 'They are more concerned about geopolitics. The question is, 'are you welcome here?'' Chinese manufacturers see the potential to make money in the wealthy United States market, he said, and US President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports have increased the urgency for companies to produce in the US for domestic sales. Ni said that 'yelling and screaming' by national-level political leaders had deterred some investors from applying for investment permits because they feared that American officials at the local level would also prefer they stay away. In the Midwestern states of Illinois and Wisconsin, mayors are 'very receptive' to Chinese investment, said Ker Gibbs, a partner at American business advisory Foresight Restructuring, citing personal contacts in the region. The mayor of Wausau, a city in Wisconsin with a population of 40,000, is explicitly looking for Chinese investments linked to agriculture and possibly the automotive sector, given that industry's prominence in surrounding parts of the Midwest, Kerr said. California and New York state have 'historically been happy' for Chinese to buy real estate or invest in tech start-ups, said Denny Roy, a senior fellow at the East-West Centre think tank in Hawaii. Most voters in those states did not favour Trump's Republican Party, Roy said, meaning they were less influenced by its 'hawkish' views towards Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt sent the chamber a letter in December saying she was 'eager to work with Chinese businesses to create jobs, promote innovation, and enhance cultural exchanges'. She offered the city's help in talent development, tax incentives and a streamlined permitting process. Ni said American carmakers would find it hard to get certain made-in-China parts from other sources, raising the appeal of projects that would produce such components. His company, Wanxiang American, makes some of them. Gibbs said pragmatists in local and state government 'still see Chinese investment as a positive thing that creates jobs and opportunities'. 'Everyone has heightened awareness for national security, so the sectors would have to be clearly benign,' he said. 'Consumer products and appliances are fairly safe.' But a Chinese firm's welcome in the US depends on how Americans near a proposed project see China's role in geopolitical issues such as the South China Sea dispute, which involves US allies, Gibbs said. Roy said American local governments were also on the alert now for any 'siphoning' of innovation by US tech companies, Chinese control over 'crucial' US infrastructure or ownership of land near US military installations.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
‘Is China a vegetarian's worst nightmare?': Indian shares reality of eating veg in viral video
An Indian living in China shared a video specially for vegetarians. In his post, the man shared his opinion about the long-standing belief that it's hard for vegetarians to find proper food in China as the locals only eat meat or seafood. An Indian gave a glimpse of a local market in China. (YouTube/@itsAtharvaMaheshwari) 'Is China a vegetarian's worst nightmare? I'm Atharva Maheshwari, an Indian vegetarian living in China, and I'm here to debunk the myths!' the YouTuber wrote. 'Forget the stereotypes you've heard about Chinese food being all meat. The reality is far more delicious and surprising,' he added. In the video, he takes the viewers on a tour of a local market, which he labels 'a true vegetarian paradise.' 'You won't believe the sheer variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, from countless types of leafy greens like bok choy and gai lan, to unique finds like lotus root, dozens of mushroom varieties (shiitake, enoki, wood ear), bamboo shoots, and giant pomelos. This is the ultimate guide for any vegetarian or vegan planning a trip to China,' Maheshwari explains. During his tour, Maheshwari shows common vegetables like orca, lotus root, brinjal, and more. He also gives a glimpse of those that are available only in China and then takes the viewers through the fruit market. Take a look at the video: Maheshwari's video received several thumbs up, with one YouTube user appreciating him for his job. 'Very nice, Atharva. Informative video. I have not seen such content about China till now. Keep it up.' Who is Atharva Maheshwari? 'Namaste, Hello & Ni Hao! I am Atharva Maheshwari, an Indian in China (Guang Zhou, to be precise). I am passionate about exploring the booming business opportunities between India and China,' Atharva Maheshwari wrote in his YouTube bio.
The Advertiser
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Kanye West's Australian visa axed over Heil Hitler song
US rapper Kayne West has had his Australian visa cancelled over a controversial song referencing Adolf Hitler in which the singer claims to be a Nazi. Immigration officials made the decision to deny the controversial musician access to the country after listening to his track "Heil Hitler", which was released earlier in the year. West is married to Melbourne woman Bianca Censori. "He's been coming to Australia for a long time ... he's got family here and he's made a lot of offensive comments," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC TV on Wednesday. "My officials looked at it again once he released the 'Heil Hitler' song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia." West's axed visa had not entitled him to perform in the country but was at a "lower level", Mr Burke added. "The officials still looked at the law and said, 'if you're going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don't need that in Australia'," he said. The song included the phrase: "So I became a Nazi ... I'm the villain". The chorus "Ni**a, heil Hitler" is chanted by a group of men standing in formation. West, who prefers to be referred to as Ye, frequently raps about being misunderstood and his custody battles with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The winner of 24 Grammys was dropped by his talent agency earlier in the year after he posted a stream of anti-Semitic comments on social media and put T-shirts bearing swastika up for sale in his online shop. Shopify, the company that provided the online platform for West's fashion brand Yeezy, previously took the store offline. West also made a controversial appearance with Ms Censori at the Grammy Awards earlier in the year, when she appeared virtually naked in a sheer mini-dress after removing her fur coat. US rapper Kayne West has had his Australian visa cancelled over a controversial song referencing Adolf Hitler in which the singer claims to be a Nazi. Immigration officials made the decision to deny the controversial musician access to the country after listening to his track "Heil Hitler", which was released earlier in the year. West is married to Melbourne woman Bianca Censori. "He's been coming to Australia for a long time ... he's got family here and he's made a lot of offensive comments," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC TV on Wednesday. "My officials looked at it again once he released the 'Heil Hitler' song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia." West's axed visa had not entitled him to perform in the country but was at a "lower level", Mr Burke added. "The officials still looked at the law and said, 'if you're going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don't need that in Australia'," he said. The song included the phrase: "So I became a Nazi ... I'm the villain". The chorus "Ni**a, heil Hitler" is chanted by a group of men standing in formation. West, who prefers to be referred to as Ye, frequently raps about being misunderstood and his custody battles with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The winner of 24 Grammys was dropped by his talent agency earlier in the year after he posted a stream of anti-Semitic comments on social media and put T-shirts bearing swastika up for sale in his online shop. Shopify, the company that provided the online platform for West's fashion brand Yeezy, previously took the store offline. West also made a controversial appearance with Ms Censori at the Grammy Awards earlier in the year, when she appeared virtually naked in a sheer mini-dress after removing her fur coat. US rapper Kayne West has had his Australian visa cancelled over a controversial song referencing Adolf Hitler in which the singer claims to be a Nazi. Immigration officials made the decision to deny the controversial musician access to the country after listening to his track "Heil Hitler", which was released earlier in the year. West is married to Melbourne woman Bianca Censori. "He's been coming to Australia for a long time ... he's got family here and he's made a lot of offensive comments," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC TV on Wednesday. "My officials looked at it again once he released the 'Heil Hitler' song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia." West's axed visa had not entitled him to perform in the country but was at a "lower level", Mr Burke added. "The officials still looked at the law and said, 'if you're going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don't need that in Australia'," he said. The song included the phrase: "So I became a Nazi ... I'm the villain". The chorus "Ni**a, heil Hitler" is chanted by a group of men standing in formation. West, who prefers to be referred to as Ye, frequently raps about being misunderstood and his custody battles with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The winner of 24 Grammys was dropped by his talent agency earlier in the year after he posted a stream of anti-Semitic comments on social media and put T-shirts bearing swastika up for sale in his online shop. Shopify, the company that provided the online platform for West's fashion brand Yeezy, previously took the store offline. West also made a controversial appearance with Ms Censori at the Grammy Awards earlier in the year, when she appeared virtually naked in a sheer mini-dress after removing her fur coat. US rapper Kayne West has had his Australian visa cancelled over a controversial song referencing Adolf Hitler in which the singer claims to be a Nazi. Immigration officials made the decision to deny the controversial musician access to the country after listening to his track "Heil Hitler", which was released earlier in the year. West is married to Melbourne woman Bianca Censori. "He's been coming to Australia for a long time ... he's got family here and he's made a lot of offensive comments," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC TV on Wednesday. "My officials looked at it again once he released the 'Heil Hitler' song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia." West's axed visa had not entitled him to perform in the country but was at a "lower level", Mr Burke added. "The officials still looked at the law and said, 'if you're going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don't need that in Australia'," he said. The song included the phrase: "So I became a Nazi ... I'm the villain". The chorus "Ni**a, heil Hitler" is chanted by a group of men standing in formation. West, who prefers to be referred to as Ye, frequently raps about being misunderstood and his custody battles with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The winner of 24 Grammys was dropped by his talent agency earlier in the year after he posted a stream of anti-Semitic comments on social media and put T-shirts bearing swastika up for sale in his online shop. Shopify, the company that provided the online platform for West's fashion brand Yeezy, previously took the store offline. West also made a controversial appearance with Ms Censori at the Grammy Awards earlier in the year, when she appeared virtually naked in a sheer mini-dress after removing her fur coat.
