A question for the British women here

Ladies, when you go to your GP for your cervical smear tests would you prefer to be examined on a dedicated gynaecology couch with knee rests or stirrups or are you content to put your feet together and open your knees apart as is the common practice?

I schedule appointments with my GP and my gyno within a week or two of each other. My GP will offer a breast exam, which I will allow, but she knows I visit a gynecologist regularly and defers to him with the remainder of the exam. Of course when I see the gyno, he will do another breast exam. None of my friends go to their GP for a gynecological exam. I'm in the USA, so our practices may be different than in the UK.

I've never had a choice, in all the GP's offices I've visited, none have had knee rests or stirrups, even the family planning clinics uses flat couches

There is a general tendency not to use stirrups for routine examinations, PAP smears etc in the UK. The reasons given are, in the main, that there is less of a feeling of vulnerability and a lessening in discomfort during routine proceedures, with no reported reduction in the efficacy of the procedure or a feeling of loss of control on behalf of the patient.

Of course there will always be procedures which call for the use of stirrups such as procedures which are expected to be very uncomfortable and even painful - or when it is essential the patient does not move and these may involve the use of restraints. Such might be when procedures such as IUD insertion are carried out.

The Royal College of Gynaecologists carried out a survey in this regard which can be read at http://www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/gynaecological-examination-table-query-bank

My GP does not have stirrups or knee rests either. This makes things very difficult for me as, due to my disability I find it very difficult to get into and stay in the frog leg position. I would find stirrups or knee supports much easier and more comfortable.

I like being in the stirrups !

Never say never but I very much doubt if any GP surgeries or family planning clinics in the UK have stirrups or knee rests. So as EGB1969 says, UK women don't get the option and it's normally knees up and apart.

The only places you will find them is in hospital gyn unit situations, and probably at GUM/STD clinics which are normally attached to hospitals anyway.

Dr Philip - The UK Play Doctor.

As per below you'll really only find them in a hospital setting and while the thought of being in stirrups is fun I don't think very many, if any of us would like to be in a situation where we had to be referred to hospital for examination.

Have only ever been examined with the traditional ''heels together, let your knees fall apart'' position.. at the GP's surgery.

Not always comfortable if it lasts more than a few minutes..

Do you ladies also get rectal exams at these visits? if so, are you asked to change position for them?

For me, no stirrups or knee rests. Just legs up and spread.

I've never had a rectal examination at the surgery.

No rectal exams, the smear is just that - a smear is taken and nothing else.

I have always had smears at my GPs and always a nurse has taken them, no stirrups just a couch where you bring your feet up and let knees fall to sides. Depending on what you are wearing it is either just knickers off and skirt hitched up or if in trousers naked below waist in both cases I have always had a sheet or blanket as well to cover up with. No rectal exam and usually no internal either, I have only ever had one internal from a nurse at a pill check. All other smears have just been that a smear take. I have yet to have a rectal exam. Never been in stirrups either and to be honest prefer the UK frog leg position to stirrups, the stirrups seem too medical in nature. With frog leg position I feel it is sort of more intimate, a position which I have been in for sex as well as for a smear and that appeals more.

On the plus side the place I work for has engaged BUPA to provide health care and medicals. Yet to have mine but sure it will be soon, I am in my 40's so who knows I may be experiencing a rectal exam very soon. I know already that the medical includes the well women part so looks like I will be getting my first pelvic exam in a few years, not sure if they use stirrups I hope not.

Any Brit ladies experienced a BUPA exam and can enlighten me and the rest of the board.

Lisa

An exam with a hitched skirt is very erotic to me