How would YOU describe the pelvic exam?

Question

excerpt from: http://www.atyourcervixmovie.com/about.html


“Uncomfortable”; “Humiliating”; “Traumatic”; “Scarring”--words women too often use to describe pelvic exams. Most of the 90 million U.S. women who get pelvic exams think they are supposed to hurt. Women show disbelief when told that if done correctly on a healthy woman, pelvic exams should be pain-free.

The documentary, At Your Cervix, enters U.S. medical and nursing schools and breaks the silence around the unethical ways in which medical and nursing students learn to perform pelvic exams. These practices—which include nursing students being required to perform exams on each other in front of faculty and medical students “practicing” on unconscious, unconsenting patients—lead directly to the reality that most women find pelvic exams to be humiliating and painful. The existence of these egregious practices are challenged in the film...

I had a pelvic overseas & instead of stirrups, they used something akin to "arm rests." It was very comfortable. Why don't they have them in the US???

Have doctors ever said anything sexist to you? I had a doctor practically say my problem was mental. I also heard a story where the doctor told the woman she needn't worry about breast cancer (because her breasts were too small - he was trying to make a joke. my friend didn't think it was funny)

I'm a health professional & this video appealed to me because women have all different types of experiences with GYNs. For some cultures, women are too embarrassed to get the exam and as a result have higher rates of cervical cancer. In the Middle East, they have esp. high rates of breast cancer b/c the techs may be male.

To me, women should feel free to express their feelings - whether embarrassed or not - and not put down others who do so. Our ability to be open allows us to share and bond, alleviate stress and resolve problems.

I'd hate to see that end b/c people think women complain too much or that 'men have it worse'.

I have 2 nieces who delayed getting their exams b/c of fear. I have a friend in her 40s who has never had one. And, as this video points out and nobody has addressed, there are some schools who make women perform it on each other in class. Doesn't sound ethical to me.

Answer 1

I have a natural aversion to having pelvic exams. It probably stems from the fact that one of the first ones I had done was a rather degrading experience. I was 18. My doctor first performed a breast exam. Then while he was giving me the pelvic exam he told me to "show him what he had taught me" regarding breast self-examination. So there I was, feet in the stirrups, his finger feeling around inside of me, then the metal instrument, feeling my own breasts (for lumps) while he watched. To this day, just thinking about it upsets me and I wonder what kind of nasty little thrill he got from all of that. Nowadays a male doctor will have a female assistant or nurse in the room during this procedure...but back when I had this exam done that I just told you about, there was no one in the room but he and I.

EDIT: Jasumi: I'm 37 now...it was a very long time ago. I've never had that kind of experience since. (And of course I started seeing a different doctor.) I realize that my experience was unusual, not the norm. Still, though, I get very tense at the thought of having a pelvic exam, even though I know my fear is irrational.

Answer 2

Pelvic Exam Stirrups

Answer 3

I'd describe pelvic exams as cold. The instruments are cold, your legs hanging out are cold, and the doctor is as distant as any person could possibly be. (I am not complaining about that. I understand the doc maintaining professionalism)

I've never really felt traumatized by an exam like that, to me it's always been just a medical procedure. Never felt pain either. Kinda wish they'd warm the instruments a bit sometimes tho.

Answer 4

Hmmm, only thing with pelvic exams for me is that they are embarrassing. But men would also be most likely embarrassed about having their prostrate checked, so I can't complain.
As for painful, only the once when the wrong sized speculum was used for a pap-smear. But *shrugs* pelvic exams are nothing compared to childbirth. Now that's painful and embarrassing, especially when a woman has her privates exposed to family, midwifes, doctors, student doctors, lunch ladies or anyone else who just walks in and doesn't knock first.
Ahhh, I'm in Australia, and don't use stirrups for pap-smears and pelvic exams. The exam itself was ok, though cleaning up the KY is a pain lol. Ok Tmi. Only see a female doc for pap-smears now and she's always been good, never said anything rude.
Edit: Gee Tera! That's terrible. A doctor with his finger up inside and him asking to check your breasts(same time?), sounds like as though that fine line has been crossed, not professional at all. Having stuff like that done is necessary, but really, that's too much. I didn't like after I gave birth and a lactation consultant grabbed one of my breasts and was squeezing milk out for the baby, very uncomfortable. :S

Answer 5

Its uncomfortable at best. It's less traumatic if things are explained, you trust the doctor and can relax. If you don't know what is going to happen, it isn't properly explained and you are uncomfortable with the doctor it can be traumatic as a violation of your body. Not that it's ever really fun.

However the "the doctors see them every day" thing is bull. So what if they do. That part of my body is a private and sensitive part of me and I don't like having any doctor touch me there, or anywhere really. I don't like think my doctor is so impersonal they can do the whole exam while discussing baseball with someone on the other side of the office. Its a very personal thing to be touched in general and to have that part of the body touch only amplifies the feeling.

Answer 6

Ever since college, when I didn't have much of a choice, I've made every effort to make sure my gyn exams were done by a woman. I wasn't embarassed, but I've noticed some doctors were rather nervous, especially the young men or women. I actually felt sorry for the young doctors, they were scared to death of hurting me.

My gyn I've seen for years-we're old friends. She uses plastic, so you don't have that cold crud to deal with. I don't find my exam uncomfortable at all-if you tend to tighten up, ask for lots and lots of lube and take a pad for afterwards, for "drainage".

Answer 7

Mine have never hurt, but the first time the speculum goes in it's a bit uncomfortable. And when they do a PAP smear, since the cervix is so sensitive that is really uncomfortable. I wasn't humiliated or scarred, I have a Physicians Assistant that does my exams, and she makes me very comfortable and I have no problem with her exams.

Answer 8

LMFAO. Sorry - not at the documentary. I certainly wouldn't doubt that the medical establishment teaches pelvic exams and various other things in unethical ways. The first birth control pill was tested on Puerto Rican women without their full knowledge and consent.

But I think to say that a pelvic exam is "traumatic" and "scarring" and even "humiliating" is pretty absurd and a gross overreaction (why do women perpetuate the myth to each other that participating in preventative medicine like pelvic exams is "traumatic" and horrible terrible omigod awfulunbearable?). Doctors see tons of crap every day, much of it even grosser and more embarrassing than a woman's clean, healthy vagina (every woman has one - they all work the same way and look awfully alike). People need to settle the hell down and quit worrying about how "embarrassed" they are in front of the people who are just trying to do their jobs. It's a *responsible* thing to participate in preventative medicine, not "embarrassing." It just annoys me when women complain about this; people who are embarrassed at the doctor need to get over themselves and realize that a million other people are in the exact same boat. The woman is not the only special one in the world with a special vagina and special problems that are all so embarrassing. (Why ARE we "embarrassed" of our own natural anatomy in the first place? I certainly am not.) Perhaps it's an American fear-of-nakedness and exposed-body-parts thing.

All of this within reason, of course. Doctors are indeed perfectly capable of being disrespectful jerks to their patients in the examining room. I've known some.

Anyway, you can choose with what kind of doctor you want to have your exam. If you're easily traumatized, have it with a woman. Simple.

Answer 9

It is a little uncomfortable, at first. I always, want to tense, up but after being told to relax so many times, by the OBGYN Doctor. Also, the fact that there is a female nurse, in the room with me, while I am being examed. Makes it a little better.

Answer 10

My first one was a little different than most. Right after I turned 18 I came down with a yeast infection. My mom called the family doctor and I went in to see him. The nurse took my weight, bp, and temp and had me take my pants and panties off.She also gave me a little sheet type thing to cover my lap with. The doctor came in and he gave me a very quick pap smear and that was it. No breast exam, no bimanual, or anything. I did get all of those a few months later after I met my first serious boyfriend and had to go to family planning to get on birth control.