Over the couple of years I've had many conversations with friends about pap smears and pelvic exams. None of them have had anything positive to say about them. All say they experience discomfort, feel vulnerable and a lack of control, even when they're with a sympathetic, female doctor.

I first asked my doc to give me the speculum ten years ago. I had never experienced actual pain from a pelvic exam, it just seemed like I'd be able to get it in there more easily and with less discomfort. She was a bit surprised,  but handed it over without fuss. I easily and painlessly put it in position, and she opened and arranged it the way she needed to. At the end, she released the clamps, and I removed it gently.

Since then I've always inserted and removed specula. Some doctors and nurses have  been confused by my request, but none have tried to stop me.

I've never spoken to anyone else who's done this (before I tell them about it -- a couple of my friends now do!), and I wonder if it's really that uncommon. Do any of you control the speculum? How do your medical people respond? I urge everyone who feels uncomfortable in a pelvic exam to make this change. It's a completely different experience.

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4 Comments

January 24, 2009 2:28 PM

[0+]  voluptuouspanic said:

I'm a gynecological teaching assistant. I teach medical professionals how to give exams. So I always tell my providers that beforehand. I think it keeps them on their toes!

I would encourage everyone to take as much control of their exams as possible. You do not have to be a docile body. I think it's great you control the speculum.

At the very least, I think everyone should have a mirror for the vaginal exam.

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January 24, 2009 4:40 PM

[0+]  Terabithia said:

My doctor recently handed me a speculum and told me to take it home and try it myself.

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January 24, 2009 5:41 PM

[0+]  anteup said:

Its the entire thing that bothers me, not the speculum. I doubt that would help my hatred for it. I have a deformed chest. I hate the breast exam wayyy more than the pelvic.

My hatred for the speculum comes from them prying it open and it just..hanging there for a bit. Its heavy and kind of uncomfortable. Then theres the whole pap scrap and whatnot. Its just an all around no thank you in my book =/

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January 25, 2009 2:08 AM

[0+]  magdalune said:

Meh, I'm against penetration in my nether regions in general. So I'll continue being terrified.

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