pelvic exams

[kasia]

i think once you hit 18 or something, you're supposed to get one every other year. i've had 2 in my life--i skipped a couple of years...

not to scare anybody, but i personally think they're painful. just thinking about them makes me squirm. the *entire hand* of the doctor goes inside you. *squirm*.

i've only had female doctors. would any of you feel comfortable with a male doctor doing this? (like csb... :lol: )

[amietron]

what do they do to you?
my current doctor is male.
all have been, since i was a kid.

[kimpossible]

I *hate* them but I get them very regularly. The worst is that speculum. They act like it's so natural to be cranked open like that. I'm always afraid I'm going to snap it in half -- or shoot it across the room. :lol:

Yeah, it hurts even though they say it shouldn't hurt. I used to be a fan of male GYNs because they seemed to be a bit gentler, but now I have a great female doc.

The whole hand? :blink:

Good god, I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't fit in me, or if it did I'd need a cigarette after.

But do it!! My sis only found cysts on her ovaries through regular exams.

[amietron]

okay, now that i re-read the thing more carefully, i get what you're talking about. i'm scared, guys. :(

i don't want anyone's hands stuck up me. i'm not cool with that.

[kasia]

Originally posted by Hello_Hapa@Sep 27 2002, 03:16 AM
I *hate* them but I get them very regularly. The worst is that speculum. They act like it's so natural to be cranked open like that. I'm always afraid I'm going to snap it in half -- or shoot it across the room.  :lol:
yeh, for those of you who haven't gotten one, they have to use this metal thing (the speculum) to slowly open up your vagina so that they can insert their hand/fingers/etc. during my first exam, they caught a bit of my skin into it so it hurt a lot more than it should have. if this ever happens, *speak up*--your skin is not supposed to feel like it's being pinched.





<!--EDIT|kasia|Sep 27 2002, 07:41 AM-->

[kasia]

okay, i guess it wasn't her whole hand--just two fingers--but she sure had fat fingers!

*********************************************

The Pelvic Exam
Next, the doctor or nurse practitioner will again ask you to lie down on your back and move down so your behind is at the end of the table. You'll bend your knees and pick up and rest your feet in two stirrups, which are metal triangular loops that stick out from the end of the table.

Stirrups might look a little scary, but they are really just there to rest your feet in and keep you more comfortable. The doctor or nurse practitioner will ask you to relax your knees out to the sides as far as they will go. It might feel a little funny at first to be lying there with your legs opened like this, but it's important to relax and remember that millions of women have these exams every year.

The doctor or nurse practitioner will put on gloves and examine the outside of your vagina. He or she will look to make sure that there are no sores or swelling and that everything looks OK on the outside.

Next, the doctor or nurse practitioner will want to look at the inside of your vagina and will do so with the help of a speculum (pronounced: speck-you-lumm). A speculum is a thin piece of plastic or metal with a hinged piece on one end that allows it to open and close (think of a hair clip). He or she will warm the speculum with water, and then slide the speculum into your vagina. Usually the doctor or nurse practitioner will tell you that he or she is about to place speculum inside you and will warn you that it might feel a little cold.

Once the speculum is in the vagina, it can be opened to allow the doctor to see inside. Putting in and opening the speculum isn't painful, although some women say that it can cause a bit of pressure. Naturally, if you've never had a doctor investigating that area before, you might get a little tense. But because the vagina is surrounded by muscles that can contract or relax, it's important to stay calm.

If you feel like you're tensing up the muscles in your vagina, try breathing deeply or doing some breathing exercises to help you stay relaxed. Sometimes humming your favorite song or making small talk with the doctor or nurse practitioner can distract you from the pressure. Concentrate on keeping the muscles in the lower half of your body as relaxed as possible.

After the speculum is in place, the doctor or nurse practitioner will shine a light inside the vagina to look for anything unusual, like inflammation (redness or swelling), discharge, or sores. He or she will then do a Pap smear, which is the taking of some cells from the cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus, which is located at the very top of the vagina. To do a Pap smear, the doctor or nurse practitioner uses what looks like a very long mascara wand to gently scrape the inside of the cervix. This doesn't hurt at all; some women say they feel a little twinge, but it only lasts a second.

The cells that have been collected are sent to a laboratory where they are studied for any abnormal cells, which might indicate infection or warning signs of cervical cancer. (Like breast cancer, cervical cancer is very unusual in teen girls.)

If you are sexually active, the doctor or nurse practitioner will then test for STDs. He or she will swab the inside of the cervix with what looks like a cotton swab. The speculum is then slid out of the vagina. As with the Pap smear, the sample is sent out to a laboratory where it is tested for various STDs.

Next, the doctor or nurse practitioner will want to check out your uterus and ovaries. But because they are so far inside you they can't be seen at all, even with the speculum, he or she will need to feel them. While your feet are still in the stirrups, the doctor or nurse practitioner will put lubricant on two fingers (while still wearing the gloves) and slide them inside your vagina. Using the other hand, he or she will press on the outside of your lower abdomen (the area between your vagina and your stomach). With two hands, one on the outside and one on the inside, the doctor or nurse practitioner can make sure that the ovaries and uterus are the right size and free of cysts or other growths.

During this part of the exam, you may feel a little pressure or a twinge or two, but it isn't painful. Again, it's important to relax your muscles and take slow, deep breaths if you feel nervous.

[mrazntre]

d00d. i just read all that. i wuntz to pEwK. :blink:

descriptive medical exams make you wanna become celibate.

[amietron]

Originally posted by mrazntre@Sep 27 2002, 12:52 AM
d00d. i just read all that. i wuntz to pEwK. :blink:

descriptive medical exams make you wanna become celibate.
shut up, tre. at least you won't ever have to experience any of that. friggn eyyy. sick. gawwd. barf barf barf. <_<

[Arex]

Originally posted by mrazntre@Sep 27 2002, 01:52 AM
d00d. i just read all that. i wuntz to pEwK. :blink:

descriptive medical exams make you wanna become celibate.
For reals... I'm sorry I ever clicked on this topic.=P Man, I feel for you women... :(

Alex

[deez nuts]

Gah make it stop! The nightmares of ob/gyn rotations relived! One lady farted on me, as in let one ripped, when I was doing the exam in med school. I was so trying not to laugh.

Lol Kasia, whole hand (fisting is a different type of exam, dear) and lol you got pinched <comfort>.

But yeah, like the lawyer lady said, it's ideal to get a full pelvic exam once every other year, after 15-18. And once a year ideally, once you're over 40 or 50. It'll help in early detection and possible prevention of cervical cancer as well as finding ovarian cysts, infections ie urinary tract infections etc etc.

Thank god, I only did a full pelvic exams twice in my life. It was too traumatic for me. I think the patient was more relaxed than I was. It's not one of those med school experiences, I would not choose to cherish, remember or relive.

Kasia, I don't do gynocological exams, anymore, and haven't for years (Thank God!). I cut people open and sew them back up! However, I am willing to do it for the women of YW and ensure their personal well-being. **Puts on latex gloves** so ummmm who's gonna be first to get up and lay down on the stirrups. :blink:



<!--EDIT|Chasiubao_Boy|Sep 27 2002, 05:40 PM-->

[artsfartsyjanet]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Sep 27 2002, 08:14 AM
Gah make it stop! The nightmares of ob/gyn rotations relived! One lady farted on me, as in let one ripped, when I was doing the exam in med school. I was so trying not to laugh.


hahaahah......

Ah, that's what you get for studying medicine. =) jk...
I always wonder what male or female ob/gyn are thinking when they're examining...how objective can one be? lol.... My ob/gyn said, "ah...very nice" when she took a piece of flesh out of me. I was so petrified... it feels so weird stickign your feet up on those metal thingamajigs.... Plus, I had a witness look at me from behind the one helping me. :blink: :huh: I hate pelvic exams.

[SunWuKong]

ok as soon as i read the word "cysts" in HH's post i stopped reading.

good luck everybody! :lol:

[kasia]

Originally posted by artsfartsyjanet@Sep 27 2002, 01:59 PM
My ob/gyn said, "ah...very nice" when she took a piece of flesh out of me.
why did she take a piece of flesh out of you?? flesh or part of an organ? did it hurt???

on the flip side, as csb said, these exams will ensure that you are healthy and detect cancer early...so let's continue getting 'em. :)

[artsfartsyjanet]

Originally posted by kasia@Sep 27 2002, 11:25 AM
Originally posted by artsfartsyjanet@Sep 27 2002, 01:59 PM
My ob/gyn said, "ah...very nice" when she took a piece of flesh out of me.
why did she take a piece of flesh out of you?? flesh or part of an organ? did it hurt???

on the flip side, as csb said, these exams will ensure that you are healthy and detect cancer early...so let's continue getting 'em. :)
ok maybe it wasn't a pelvic exam. That's how clueless I am to these things..... Or was it a Pap smear test? I got the whole nine yards aside from a pelvic exam. I took a blood test and so forth.... It was not fun.



<!--EDIT|artsfartsyjanet|Sep 27 2002, 11:31 AM-->

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by kasia@Sep 27 2002, 02:54 AM
i think once you hit 18 or something, you're supposed to get one every other year. i've had 2 in my life--i skipped a couple of years...

not to scare anybody, but i personally think they're painful. just thinking about them makes me squirm. the *entire hand* of the doctor goes inside you. *squirm*.

i've only had female doctors. would any of you feel comfortable with a male doctor doing this? (like csb... :lol: )
When you're 16, actually, I think.

It's not that bad. Just a little uncomfortable. I get a full exam like once a year and a pap smear every 3-6 months (cuz I'm just responsible like that..hehe).

They never put their *entire hand* in me before. And every time I got it done was with a female doctor. But my abortion doctor was male.

Anyway, seriously, it's not bad at all. Just a little weird to be butt naked under a little piece of paper with some stranger poking around down there. And the table thing and stirrups are always all cold. *Shiver* But that's it.

[deez nuts]

Ideally it's about 1-2 years after you get your first period, you should start getting the full pelvic exams.

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by Arex@Sep 27 2002, 12:13 PM
Originally posted by mrazntre@Sep 27 2002, 01:52 AM
d00d. i just read all that. i wuntz to pEwK. &nbsp;:blink:

descriptive medical exams make you wanna become celibate.
For reals... I'm sorry I ever clicked on this topic.=P Man, I feel for you women... :(

Alex
Hahaha, I feel worse for guys. There's some exam guys have to get every once in a while when they'll actually stick something INTO your urethra. HAHAHHAHHAHA.... ;D have FUNNN!!!

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Sep 27 2002, 05:01 PM
Originally posted by Arex@Sep 27 2002, 12:13 PM
Originally posted by mrazntre@Sep 27 2002, 01:52 AM
d00d. i just read all that. i wuntz to pEwK. :blink:

descriptive medical exams make you wanna become celibate.
For reals... I'm sorry I ever clicked on this topic.=P Man, I feel for you women... :(

Alex
Hahaha, I feel worse for guys. There's some exam guys have to get every once in a while when they'll actually stick something INTO your urethra. HAHAHHAHHAHA.... ;D have FUNNN!!!
Hahah wow ur good.

It's primarily used to test for gonorrhea in men. And sometimes also used to test for UTI (urinary tract infections) it's mad painful.

But not as painful as giving birth :P , if you're planning on having kids.



<!--EDIT|Chasiubao_Boy|Sep 27 2002, 05:18 PM-->

[kimpossible]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Sep 27 2002, 02:13 PM
But not as painful as giving birth :P , if you're planning on having kids.
Shush. The Stork brings those. Episiotomy is a figment of others' imaginations. It does not exist in my world.

[Arex]

Originally posted by Hello_Hapa@Sep 27 2002, 03:18 PM
Shush. The Stork brings those. Episiotomy is a figment of others' imaginations. It does not exist in my world.
Wait, I thought babies came from trashcans..?? I'm confused...

Alex

[Ayers]

Originally posted by Arex@Sep 27 2002, 02:19 PM
Originally posted by Hello_Hapa@Sep 27 2002, 03:18 PM
Shush. The Stork brings those. Episiotomy is a figment of others' imaginations. It does not exist in my world.
Wait, I thought babies came from trashcans..?? I'm confused...

Alex
I think the Garbage Pail Kids were stopped in the 80's :)

HH: I hear epidurals are great. While on my Ob/Gyn rotation last year, I met a couple who wanted to deliver au naturale (ie without analgesia). They had practiced their LeMann's exercises and had each other for support. Isn't that sweet?
:)

Needless to say, 1/2hr into her contractions, she is screaming at her husband who can't understand why the breathing exercises aren't cutting it. After she got her epidural (a catheter delivering anesthesia to the spinal cord), it was like she was in heaven. The difference was amazing. Of course it's not a 100% block, but it really cuts down on the pain of delivery.

Episiotomies are only given in certain situations and there isn't any consensus on whether they do more harm then good. And my guess is, at that stage of the game, women can careless about the little nick from an episiotomy.


Pelvic Exams:
The Pap smear has got to be one of the greatest screening exams ever made. Women really shouldn't avoid getting them because they're scared of pelvic exams. If the last exam you had was painful and the doctor treating you wasn't gentle, then speak up or find a new doctor. Your mileage will vary between docs -- guy or girl.

It's true that guys don't have a 'pelvic exam.' But we do have the prostate exam. Not exactly my idea of a fun time.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by Ayers@Sep 27 2002, 06:03 PM

Needless to say, 1/2hr into her contractions, she is screaming at her husband who can't understand why the breathing exercises aren't cutting it. After she got her epidural (a catheter delivering anesthesia to the spinal cord), it was like she was in heaven. The difference was amazing. Of course it's not a 100% block, but it really cuts down on the pain of delivery.




You're not supposed to tell her, yet. Only when she becomes pregnant, in her third trimester, and if she asks about epidurals. Until then , it is our job to keep her guessing and scare her, as much as we can!


As for episiotomies, like ayers said only for certain situations would it be necessary to make the incision of the perineum. I, personally, wouldn't do it if it wasn't necessary.

If, no complications are encountered delivering the baby and everything is normal otherwise, an epidural would do fine. And practically painless, trust me, HH, truuuuuuust me.



<!--EDIT|Chasiubao_Boy|Sep 27 2002, 06:36 PM-->

[Saiko]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Sep 27 2002, 05:01 PM
Hahaha, I feel worse for guys. There's some exam guys have to get every once in a while when they'll actually stick something INTO your urethra. HAHAHHAHHAHA.... ;D have FUNNN!!!
GAH! Urethra is the one hole where nothing should be stuck in. >_<
Anyway, I don't want to grow up. Help me.

[amietron]

what's a pap smear?
i'm scared, dammit. scared.

[kasia]

well, i think of it like this.

i'd be more scared of being diagnosed with cancer when it's already too late than of getting a pap smear.

also, another thing that has helped for me. i look the anatomical drawings to familiarize myself with the location of each part down there. that way, when the doctor is doing her thing, i can picture exactly what is going on.

[blkazngirl]

All I can say is that I hate having them, but it's apart of life. It's like having a car jack wedged in your hole and the next thing you hear is this clink,clink the sound of your hole being jacked open. I HATE IT :angry:

[mydnyht]

No, I wouldn't even feel comfortable with a female doctor doing that... in fact, I'd probably request to skip it... I have severe phobias involving that sort of thing... :shudders:
:unsure:

[blkazngirl]

Having a breast exam is horrible as well. If you got big breast it's not soooo bad. The tech just smashes your tits down. If your small breasted, you are in big trouble, now they pull your nipples and smash you. :retard: damn that hurts.

[nonamerasian]

I know a big breasted person who says it hurts, too.

[mr. x]

oh man just recently (and im not trying to scare anybody) this guy got sued cuz he gave women some awkward exams. like one woman said he was sweating the whole time

[purezero]

oh man just recently (and im not trying to scare anybody) this guy got sued cuz he gave women some awkward exams. like one woman said he was sweating the whole time
sweating??? :blink:

[shy]

When you're 16, actually, I think.

or earlier if you've started to have sex at an earlier age...

yeah... it's not fun.

but for those who are squirmish, there's hope! my doctor uses a plastic forcep (or whatever those things are called). and is nice enough to use some lube of some sort.

plus... they SHOULD be wearing latex gloves so that should ease any fears of their nails catching some flesh. yeesh!

i do it every year. i don't like it... but it's routine.