Worst part of your gyno exam

I'm sure this has been asked before - but what is the 'worst bit' of a real gyn exam for ladies out there?

Its hard for me to pick a bad part of the exam. 😁 I suppose the thought that something could be wrong with one of the tests is the main thing. Of all the physical stuff, I find the scraping of the cervix to be a little strange, it can cause a cramp feeling.

While I haven't had many gyno exams, I find the rectal examination the least unpleasant part. It's the insertion of the speculum that's the most uncomfortable part of the routine exam for me. But even then, it's not that bad either. While I did have one horrendous experience with speculum insertion during my first gynecological examination, I know it was due mainly because I was a young virginal teenager at the time, and extremely upset by the whole idea of a gynecological examination. Plus, the doctor who examined me then was an incompetent jerk.

My worst physical experience during a gynecological examination as an adult so far, although it is not routine, has been an endometrial biopsy. It hurt like hell. I hope to never have to undergo another. Here is a link that shows what it entails: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at-CfWUiClg But to get an even better idea of how it feels, just read the comments for the video that were posted by women who underwent the procedure. http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=at-CfWUiClg&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3Dat-CfWUiClg

Addie, a friend of mine had an endometrial biopsy, and she was totally shocked as to how much it hurt.

I'm sorry to hear that, collegeguydoc. I simply cannot understand why endometrial biopsies are so commonly performed without any measures taken to numb the area beforehand. Since there seems to be such a wide range of reaction between patients, as is evident in the comments at the second YouTube link I posted above, it seems to have become accepted by those performing the procedure that the chances are better than 50% that the patient will experience little or no discomfort. I consider that a pretty callous attitude on the part of many of gynecologists who perform this procedure. If dentists had this same attitude, there'd be a lot of them extracting teeth without novocaine because there'd have been instances when some patients felt little or no pain when getting a tooth pulled.

I agree 100% Addie, I don't think many of these gynecologists don't fully understand the discomfort it causes, unless they have had the experience them self. If the medical book claims it is minor discomfort then to them it must be just that. It is a good example to listen to your patients and ask them questions during and after any procedure.

During my last exam, when my doc went to do the internal she gave no warning what so ever and i had not been active for a while, which she knew. she literally shoved 2 fingers straight up and i jumped a mile high and had to be forced back down. the nurse felt so bad she gave the doc a dirty look then came and held my hand and whispered in my ear how sorry she was and that it would be over in a few seconds.

i have to say the exam previous to the last one was by an awesome doc that went slow, was gentle and explained everything to me in detail and respected the limits of my nether region.

For me, the internal is always the worst. (But I've never had a rectal exam, not even during or after my pregnancy.)

Worst part for me is always the pap smear. The scraping they do to get the cell sample always gives me a sharp pinching feeling, although it is brief. And there is also the cramping it causes, much like a menstrual cramp.

Other than that, what is there not to like about a gyn exam? 😉

Me the finger up the backdoor. My doctor always does this. Very different feeling when it is a true medical setting and REALLY HARD to RELAX!!!!!!!!

I agreee... swab for pap smear

I've been pinched when the speculum was opened...very unpleasant!!!

I just found out, due to my first gyno visit, that my cervix is tilted backwards & my womb is forwards. The actual placing of the speculum is my least favorite part, because the doctor has to use a large speculum to get at my cervix, while having me place my hands under my bum. The large speculum locked into place (in NOT a large me) is incredibly uncomfortable, and I hate the scraping.

I actually love the internal exam and the rectal - I agree with other posters that I just dislike the pap smear. It makes me cramp, and makes me mad when the doc says I really shouldn't feel it! Grrr!

My wife hates the way the pap pinches. Followed closely by the rectal exam.

My friend says she hates the feel of the speculum going up the most. She would hate the rectal exam too but her doc has never done one.

The waiting

I'd be happy if the doc was sitting there, glove on, ready to go when I walked in.

Also, the complete disrobing is not needed these days, more wasted time.

As far as procedures go, which I'm sure is what Spex123 really wants to know about,

There is no worst for me. Only the fact that I can't enjoy it..I mean, it's a 'real' doc. No

time for fantasies only reality.

I definitely agree that the cervix scraping is the worst. Causes cramping and pinching and have even bled afterwards

The first moment that the doctor looks at your genitals.

You already lay in the stirrups but usually he or she is busy getting the tools.

But that moment that he takes a seat on his chair and you see him looking down.

It seems like a good doctor can make a whole difference to the woman's perception of her exam. A careful caring doctor can make easy and even pleasant, what a careless doctor can make a real pain literally!

I hope in my play I do regard the woman as a delicate object and then I can't go wrong.

The worst thing I've ever experienced is insensitive doctors.

When the doctor's attitude is not upsetting, the worst parts for me are 1) The moment when you "move your knees to the sides." It's the final step in being completely exposed and vulnerable. It's also the first moment you feel the cold air between your legs, which for me is a weird sensation. 2) Insertion and opening of the speculum. Just because it's incredibly painful, even with the smallest size. Also, my GP does it this very slowly because it minimizes the pain, which is definitely better, but it feels like it takes hours to get it fully inserted and opened.

This may be a little weird, but I hate having to have a conversation with the doc while the exam is going on. There's something about being exposed and in that vulnerable position that makes me so not want to have a chat...lol. I prefer the to have that little discussion while he's looking at my face rather than my ta ta...lol. I also hate the wait because the longer I wait, the more anxious I become, but that's just me.

Shylady, you would probably appreciate this article:

http://southernentendre.weebly.com/1/post/2011/5/open-letter-to-my-gynecologist.html

I stumbled upon it some time ago when searching for a suitable profile picture, but I think you and the author are on the same page when it comes to all the chit-chat that takes place while the speculum is in.

The worst part is the pain of the pap smear. It pinches and cramps. I don't know how women can say it doesn't hurt---it does! I enjoy the internal exam when he feels inside and probes me (That makes it worth it).

I think the worst part is lying there with your legs open and having things pushed in that pinch and just don't feel good

For me it's not getting the pap smear that I hate...it's waiting the 3-5 days to get the results back. I had an aunt that had cervical cancer so I am always a bit anxious to get my results.

Like others have mentioned, I do get cramps from my cervix being scraped. But they do not last long. I would have to say the worst part for me is the wait. I do not like sitting in the waiting room. Sometimes I have had to wait almost an hour. Otherwise, I have no complaints.

Definitely the pap smear. cramps are no fun at all. i'm also not a huge fan having my blood pressure taken. the doctor can see how nervous/excited i am to be there

As I have explained elsewhere on this site, an endometrial biopsy was my worst gynecological experience. I was told to take ibuprofen ahead of time, and am sure that it didn't help at all. My gyno likened the procedure to a mini d and c, and said: "I'm not going to lie to you. This will hurt." It was really painful, but only for ten seconds or less. She said that the only numbing option was five shots in the cervix (I forgot to ask why there was one option). It was over in no time, however. I yelled "JESUS!" then apologised, and the gyno said that was nothing, that she had been called every name imaginable.

The "worst bit" for me is also my favorite...the rectovaginal exam.