WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1998: Re: painful exam

Re: painful exam

From: D. Ashley Hill, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 30 Aug 1998 21:31:55 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Kayli: "Alcohol while trying to conceive"
Previous message: D. Ashley Hill, M.D.: "Re: 2nd post on nabothian noduals"
In reply to: anonymous@obgyn.net: "painful exam"

At Sun, 30 Aug 1998, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote: >
>I had my first pelvic exam done , but the speculum insertion hurted a
>lot!!!!,
>
>> Do you think it was because I'm still virgin? Could it be that the doctor broke my himen?

There are a number of reasons why a speculum insertion might hurt. In no particular order, they are: inexperience of or lack of skill by the doctor (or other health care provider), presence of an infection or other condition that might cause pain during an exam, use of a speculum that is too large, or not lubricated enough, being very overweight (this can make it extremely hard to do the exam), use of a speculum that is not put together correctly, and having a very tense patient.

It is unlikely, but not impossible, that a routine pelvic exam might break the hymen. This, of course, does not mean that the exam changed the virginity status, because it is sexual intercourse, and *not* things like bike riding, injuries, or pelvic exams that have anything to do with virginity.

If pelvic exams continue to be painful, discuss this with your health care provider, who should investigate. If this does not work, consider going elsewhere. Sometimes doctors, regardless of gender, just don't have "good hands" and can't perform a pelvic exam (these same doctors often have trouble taking biopsies, doing surgery, etc). Pelvic exams should not normally be painful.

Please don't let this keep you from obtaining exams, as this is a very important part of preventative medicine.

Good luck!

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, FL http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd

The above is intended for general medical education, and is not for specific medical advice. I apologize, but I am unable to answer personal e-mail due to time constraints.

Next message: Kayli: "Alcohol while trying to conceive"
Previous message: D. Ashley Hill, M.D.: "Re: 2nd post on nabothian noduals"
In reply to: anonymous@obgyn.net: "painful exam"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: