Indeed, during a routine consultation, the speculum is only left in place for a few minutes, time to take a sample of cells and examine the condition of the cervix.
For a colposcopy, it is a little longer (between 6 and 8 minutes) because you have to take the time to blow the nose of the cervix, color it with acetic acid (liquid derived from vinegar) then with lugol (low-pressure solution). diode)
Then, it is common for us to take the opportunity to do a biopsy to have a fragment of suspicious tissue analyzed in the laboratory.
For a hysterogram, it takes longer because a liquid is injected into the uterus so that it rises towards the tubes to opacify them on an x-ray which is taken at the same time.
Today, this technique is a little neglected because we prefer to look directly inside the uterus with a hysteroscope (a type of fiber to which a camera is attached)
In this case, the examination, therefore the opening with the speculum, can last up to a quarter of an hour, the time to take a good look.
However, I do not think that the time during which the speculum is in place is bothersome for the patient, as long as the practitioner practices with gentle gestures and explains to her what he is doing.
It is certain that the gynecological position itself with the thighs wide open facing the doctor's gaze is probably not very pleasant.