Are Metal Speculums Sterilized?

Which type plastic or metal does your gyn use? If metal, how man women before you used the same one? Sterilized or not it was used on someone else before you. Any second thoughts about using metal next time?

Leotardlover

Understand your concerns about sterilisation of instruments.

Most people believe that when they tear open a sealed plastic speculum that its sterile.

Really! Its almost certainly made in China - what is the factory like? Does no one remember the millions of chinese plastic toys withdrawn from sale because the poisonous content in the plastic?

Problem is you can't boil them to make sure. And if I were a female I wouldn't want a plastic one to break in my vagina.

Steel yourself leotardlover. Its for your own good!

Metal or plactic they are all sterileised both before first use (sealed packs)and after use and before re-use (metal). The fashion for plastic is that they are transparent so you get a better view of the vaginal walls and it was thought to save money by not having to pay for cleaning and serilisation.

As for the risk of breakage. I do not think there has been a documrnted case. And just what are you intending to do with them down there?!

Relax, there is no risk with the medical profession, but in the play situation, you can be less sure that any metal speculum has been sterilised properly.

Good question because this confuses alot of people. First, keep in mind that until a relatively few years ago, all speculums were metal. Second, the real reasons for the plastic seculums are not clealiness/sterility or cost. They cost alot more, especially the lighted ones, than the cost of steriization. The advantages are they save the ttime and trouble of washing and sterilizing and allow better visualization of the vaginal walls. Third, there is a difference between disinfection and sterilization. Disinfection removes most harmful bacteria and viruses, while sterilzation removes virtually all bacteria and viruses. The vagina is not a sterile environment and does not require sterile instruments. Also keep in mind too that an sterile instrument in a sterile package is no longer sterile once it is touched by non-sterile water, non-sterile lubricant, a non-sterile instrument tray, or non-sterile gloves. It is still disinfected, just not sterile

Is your toothbrush sterile everytime you use it? Probably not even sanitized. Sterility is not necessary any more than your toothbrush or knife, fork, and spoon. Sanitization with hot water or an alcohol wipe is sufficient. And metal is easier to sanitize than plastic. IMHO.

Metal speculums are of course sterilized between each patient use, so it doesn't matter how many women they have been previously used on.

But as a previous contributor mentioned, the vagina is a non- sterile environment, and the doctor's surgery or clinic is a non-sterile environment. And the speculum is not being used invasively. Therefore whether it is plastic or metal, it doesn't need to be sterile and it isn't.

Dr Philip.