Painful 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.

The old style series of rabies shots, aka, “ the Pasteur treatment “…a series of injection into your stomach, one a day for twenty one days. An extremely brutal regimen which many stated, “ the cure is worse than the disease ( not true but emphasized the treatment)

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.