Painful Gyno Procedures (real or not)

What's the most painful gyn procedure you've had, whether real or play?

Which do you fantasize about giving? receiving?

How much pain is too much?

Describe

Real since I don't do play, but IUD insertion, for sure. I had an "easy" insertion compared to other horror stories I've read online. Still ranks as one of my least favorite medical/GYN procedures and I intentionally chose to have it replaced under anesthesia so I wouldn't have to go through the experience conscious again.

I've never had kids and apparently I have a "teeny tiny" cervix according to my doctors. First of all, I swear the speculum they used for IUD insertion was bigger than any I've had used on me before. And you hang out there with it stuck open inside of you for at least a couple minutes for the process. Uncomfortable but a little thrilling. But then it all goes downhill from there. I'm pretty sure I got a shot of local anesthetic to the cervix. Pinch - ouch. The tenaculum? Nope. Don't like at all. Pinchy. Crampy. But then they insert the "sound" to measure the depth of the uterus and my god you could scrape me off the floor after that. It's so hard to describe the DEEP and hot pain inside your body of having a thin rod of steel penetrate something that isn't supposed to be penetrated. Like a cramp mixed with fire and the overwhelming need to GET IT OUT GET IT OUT NOW. It was a pain rush that I could feel radiating from my belly, up through my chest and neck and all the way down to my toes. And because of everything else going on down there (speculum, tenaculum, sound) you're just frozen in place, spread open on the exam table at this point until the whole ordeal is over.

I remember my doctor telling me when all was said and done not to get up for a few minutes. "Just say here lying on the table as long as you need" I actually got up pretty shortly afterwards and even went straight to the grocery store following the appt. But it took probably a good couple of weeks for my uterus and cervix to feel "normal" again.

So with all this in mind, I was obviously very leery about ever getting another IUD placed, except I loved the fact that it completely stopped my periods. Finally came around time to replace it and I was offered a replacement while I would already be under anesthesia for another surgery. I made the mistake of reading through my post op notes about the insertion process while unconscious and good god I am glad I was. Multiple failed attempts at placing the uterus sound, multiple failed attempts even getting the cervix open. I'm so, SO glad I never attempted it again while conscious and so, SO glad my body had no pain or memory of this happening.

That's a remarkable detailed description of the sensations you experience during the IUD placement, @tmitrue .

I've seen a few videos out there - seems taking selfie video (or having a friend) of your reactions during the insertion is a bit of a thing. Intended to help women "feel comfortable with the idea" although they rarely seem terribly calm and ... "comforting".

Personally, I have a fascination with the idea of procedures relating to the cervix and uterus primarily because as a male I haven't one, and it's such a foreign idea that even imagining the discomfort or pain just seems somewhat fake. To some extent the discomfort of the injections, for the tenaculum and the paracervical block, it's easier - we've all had those shots, and imagining them in a tender place is also relatable. But the closest I can consider similar to the cramping you describe would only be the kind of cramps anyone feels after an unwise meal, or a large, soapy enema -- and I'm fairly sure any women who heard that comparison would laugh in my face!

Such a wide variety of experiences with IUD insertion, too -- some women find it not that big a deal, but for those who do, like yourself, I sure am glad you're able to get general anesthesia and avoid it all!

-TYD

@TrustYourDoctor you're pretty spot on with the cramping sensation, but the rest of the experience and feelings are so much more shocking and visceral than that. I'd say the closest I've come to reliving that pain of having a sounding instrument used would be when I had my nipples pierced (although that was arguably more expected and anticipated than the pain from a gyn procedure). I dunno, it's definitely hard to share a similar feeling to someone who doesn't have the same anatomy!

Also, upon further reflection and thinking about this topic (got me all riled up, I guess), I did realize that I'd forgotten about the most lasting painful medical experience I've had. That was being catheterized (without having prior knowledge that I would be) for a surgery and waking up with the overwhelming urge to use the bathroom... Only to discover it was excruciatingly painful to do so. That unpleasant experience lasted a good day or more and certainly left me with a proper fear of ever having to use a catheter again the future.

The responses here led me to wonder if cervix/uterus pain is kinda like getting hit in the balls.

Hurts to an insane degree.

Most painful have been a vacuum aspiration procedure to remove tissue after a pregnancy loss at 18 weeks, manual removal of tissue from my cervix, IUD insertion and getting my IUD out (literally cut out of me)

Same here: IUD insertion and later removal were more painful than outpatient gynecological surgery.

Hysteroscopy. 4 injections into cervix. Very painful. Never again!

Burnout cervix wound by acid without painkillers

Reddish- what is a burnout cervix wound?

Yeah @reddish ....

What exactly happened with your wounded cervix and acid?

Can you tell us in detail for perverted reasons?

🥵

Most painful: Uterine Ablation. I was in my late 40s and starting to have constant break-through bleeding. Like I was having a light-day period for 20 days. Ultrasound first to rule out tumors. Endometrial biopsy to ensure no cancer that the ablation might mask. OK, that sucked pretty bad. They thread a tube through your cervix into your uterus which has little holes in it and they basically suck parts of your endometrium into it and scrape them off. Now putting anything through your cervix hurts like hell. They grab the cervix itself with a tenaculum (google it) which hurts. Feels super crampy. Then the penetrate the cervical opening which causes cramping on steroids. Then once they're in, they do the biopsies - several times. Super crampy AND sharp pain. Yay.

That all comes back fine so they schedule the ablation (the alternative procedure was a hysterectomy which I didn't want). I figure more of the same and it started the same way, only this time they penetrate the opening with a sort of umbrella which opens up inside your uterus and conforms to the lining. It's a heating element. They literally burn the lining of your uterus. The pain is indescribable and goes on for several minutes. You bleed for a few days after. It worked beautifully for me. I'm still glad I did it vs the hysterectomy.

Now in play. I don't want anything like that, but I do like painful procedures. The most painful we've done is play piercing my nipple. I didn't want the jewelry but I wanted to see what it felt like. If I were younger, I'd have gone for the jewelry.

BTW it's criminal that they don't do sedation with that procedure.

@linboxer and @crowntuner

I had wounded by cervix by tampon. Probably was wrong opening inside and too close on cervix and after few days of period I thought that might infection. Gyno annouced me that's cervixal wound and dripped. Failure of meds so I was forced to have treatment where wound are literally acid are ate this cells and close wound.

(Translator for males-dont hit cervix, body tried to heal agressivly itself and could finish cancer on year if won't be help by doctor).

Nurse Phillips: why don't do they do sedation with that ablation procedure?

I had an ex significant other who I think had that procedure. IIRC, she was completely under for it.

Interesting, my aunt had an ablation and she was completely under. She did not feel it at all she said!

Nurse Phillips: why don't do they do sedation with that ablation procedure?

I had an ex significant other who I think had that procedure. IIRC, she was completely under for it.

No idea. It was awful. I had the Novasure procedure.

@Nurse_Phillips :

What was performed in your case was not a hysterectomy but an endometrial resection.

This technique has been available in France for about ten years and is offered as a first-line treatment to preserve the integrity of the female reproductive organs. The uterus is preserved, and for premenopausal women, menstruation often continues.

It is indeed a painful procedure, and the question of sedation arises.

Considering the rapid nature of the procedure (I know it always feels very long when you're in pain, but in fact, a trained surgeon performs it in less than 10 minutes), general anesthesia, which is a major procedure involving intubation, is rarely advisable. A regional spinal anesthetic is much preferred.

Some gynecologists do not offer anesthesia because they believe the pain is no more intense than during the hysteroscopy that is always performed beforehand to obtain the necessary biopsies. I personally find the surgical procedure more painful than the diagnostic procedures.

The most painful moment when inserting the hysteroscope is when the fiber optic cable is passed through the cervix. It's the same sensation as when an IUD is inserted without sedation, directly in the office.

For an ablation using the Novasure system, since we're at the clinic, it doesn't seem reasonable to me to forgo the assistance of our anesthesiologist colleague, who is present in the operating room anyway.

This wasn’t done in a clinic but was done in her office. There was no anesthesia. I did a google search and, in the US at least it’s 50/50 whether or not they’re going to use anesthesia for that particular procedure. Often dictated by insurance.

You'll find my addition odd coming from a female - but - female gynecologists are often the most dismissive of pain perception that any given patient may experience. They can be fully sensitive to pain tolerance differences that are not related to female anatomy, but they blow off tolerance variances involving the female reproductive system. I always wonder what goes through the mind of a doctor performing an endometrial biopsy who suggests that you can maybe take an OTC painkiller prior to the procedure and that should be just fine. They argue for instance that lidocaine in one form or another may not be all that effective so let's just go with some ibuprofen . Who cares, it's not some exotic risky technique and if by chance, any chance, it alleviates some level of pain, for gosh sakes just do it.

@Nurse_Phillips

You highlight the stark difference between the healthcare system in your country and our social protection in France.

While residents do pay significant contributions deducted from their salaries, overall healthcare is more or less free.

The underlying principle is that you don't choose to be sick, so medical expenses are reimbursed by Social Security, supplemented if necessary by private insurance. Doctors, therefore, don't consider the cost of treatment, and in the case of potentially painful procedures, they don't skimp on the necessary sedation.

The underlying principle is that you don't choose to be sick, so medical expenses are reimbursed by Social Security, supplemented if necessary by private insurance. Doctors, therefore, don't consider the cost of treatment, and in the case of potentially painful procedures, they don't skimp on the necessary sedation.

Social security doesn’t pay for medical care. You pay a small separate tax (1.4%) into Medicare while working, and pay an annual premium around $2200 out of your social security annual benefit to Medicare insurance (approx $4400 for a couple) which is not taxed. Medicare has very high copays for surgeries and hospitalization costs. Our supplemental is an additional $375/months for each of us, $750/month total or $9k/year total. Dental is on top of that.

Medicare and supplemental don’t cover everything and doctors have to work within those guidelines to bill. They can’t Willy-nilly prescribe and bill.

Unfortunately, due to lack of oversight, lots of fraudulent claims get approved (mostly to scammers and inscrupulous Dr staff) that drive Medicare cost up.

My most painful procedure was a deep cyst excised (in a delicate area with LOTS of nerve endings) with no pain suppression or anesthesia. Think retrieving a bullet buried deep without sedation, pain meds, whiskey, or even a bullet to bite on! This entailed several repeat incisions to keep the wound open and allow healing from the inside out. It was NOT fun.

Thinking about what Sarahgyn said, my SO remarked during some fertility testing about some pain. The social worker at the clinic remarked about how there's much worse pain with childbirth. Sure, but why wouldn't a provider offer options for pain management? The whole clinic was a joke and the reproductive endocrinologist/OB-GYN there was one of the most robotic and dismissive people I've ever met.

This reminds me of a female gynecologist I took my wife to see, not for fun, she was having some really bad cramping and irregular periods. The first time we went in they just had her strip from the waist down and all the doctor did was shove a speculum in for maybe 5 seconds, then a quick 5 second internal and that was it. Sent us home saying she didn't notice anything, not sure how she could have, and let's see how things go. Pretty dismissive but I didn't pick up on that at the time.

A few weeks go by and it's worse. The doctor asked a few more questions and I thought we were going to get sent home again but my wife pretty much said well that's all beside the point there is something not right at all. The doctor seemed annoyed that we were back and then said well ok then, everything off, she grabbed a sheet out of the drawer and left the room. So my wife gets undressed from the waist down like before and sits up on the table. The doctor comes in and right away says, oh I said everything off. She then proceeds to do a fairly aggressive breast and abdominal exam, gets her in the stirrups, and then decides to do an ultrasound first and leaves the room. Eventually the ultrasound tech comes in and then we wait around for the doctor. She takes a bunch of samples, does a rough pap and then an internal. My wife sort of hollers out at one point so then this lady keeps prodding around deeper, slips a finger up the butt, and I by now my wife is holding onto the table sides. Then she says something about checking her cervix for some reason again, goes back in with the speculum and gets out this tool that I'd describe like a thin latex pencil that gets gradually larger in diameter. She puts in the tenaculm tool and starts pushing this thing all the way inside, my wife is about to scream, her legs are shaking, and then finally she gets everything pulled out. She pulls out a pad and hands it to my wife telling her she'll probably bleed for a while and she needs to have a hysteroscopy exam. Let's just say it was a bad 24 hours or so after all that.

We found someone else and after he gives her a complete exam he decides to run some other tests and ends up he was right, it was something with thyroid, temporary problem and once that got solved she was back to perfectly normal. Now I'll say that I Iove watching a female doctor examine my wife as much as I do a male, but that woman was darn near sadistic. We've been to quite a few female doctors and it seems like many of them have a tendency to be far less worried about comfort than the male gynecologists we see. Anyway back to the point - I'm not sure what that instrument was but it was pretty much like a mini torture device, really should have been some pain management offered.

Steve W go online and find the "Miltex" cervical dilator set. I'm 99% certain by your description this was the instrument used. My guess would be that she used both the OS and Canal dilators passing the latter through into the uterus, though you mention only one instrument. My other guess is that she wanted to rule out atrophy/stenosis of some sort. There are certainly things that can be done to alleviate pain so I would have to agree that this sounds like there is not much empathy going on in this practice. Not to defend what she did to your wife, but when there is a problem an exam can unfortunately be painful, but, we don't just plow forward without pause. I'm really glad to hear you found a doctor who has the insight on the potential for thyroid related symptoms. Unfortunately there are fewer doctors these days who practice based on what I call old fashioned street knowledge - they have seen a lot, they learn a lot from what they experience in real life, and they think well above a flow chart or computer generated diagnostic protocol. A lot of things get missed early due to sticking to whatever 3 or 4 letter acronym association tells you is the only way to diagnose and treat. Glad to hear your wife got past all that.

Unfortunately there are fewer doctors these days who practice based on what I call old fashioned street knowledge - they have seen a lot, they learn a lot from what they experience in real life, and they think well above a flow chart or computer generated diagnostic protocol. A lot of things get missed early due to sticking to whatever 3 or 4 letter acronym association tells you is the only way to diagnose and treat. Glad to hear your wife got past all that.

@Sarahgyn Isn’t that exactly why they they call medicine both a science and an art? Weve had many procedures or studies prescibed due to “medical protocol” which I’ve serioully questioned or even refused. Unfortunately, doctors can be held liable for not following the protocol. Fortunately, some see causual relationships beyond that, and discover problems that otherwise would be overlooked. My wife has a long history over 25 years of medical issues, I’ve begun questioning everything, as very seldom does anything actionable result from medical “studies” to simply rule something out.

Fortunately, some doctors, even nurses, pick up things based on their experience

@Rigel Questioning everything "should" be what every physician strives for. It's difficult to get to the bottom of many conditions that are simply not black and white and ruled in. The process of ruling out can get tricky. I think though that a lot of good physicians get caught up in the bottom line, especially in very large shared practices where minutes and dollars are constantly brought up. Tough to be in the middle of all that sometimes.

Oh wow sarahgyn, I looked up the miltex instrument and that is exactly what was used inside my wife. To be honest I'd love to watch this happen again if there was some sort of pain relief provided ahead of time.