I can only imagine how uncomfortable an exam must be, so I would assume they would use lubrication to make it more bearable.

    • neo2478@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      24 hours ago

      I wanted to hear from the experiences from different people. How the hell is this question gross?

      • pidgey@lemmy.world
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        19 hours ago

        If you are tense and emotionally uncomfortable and/or the doctor is rough or rushed or just uncaring = it can be a bad experience.

        Generally speaking the speculum is not comfortable but not painful. It is there so they can use a swab to get a sample from the woman’s cervix to check for abnormal/cancer cells. Some women don’t even feel the swab and others find it painful - most feel it but don’t find it particularly painful. If they do find problematic cells they cut a little bit off the cervix for testing.

        I have always had nice doctors - when I was younger I felt a little weirded out - but never uncomfortable or in any pain. Until I had a cervical biopsy- which did hurt and left me cramping for a bit. But it hurt at around the level it hurts to get stuck with a needle when you give blood. Yes, it hurt - but not severe.

        It’s just much much more scary to hurt in a sensitive area then it is to hurt on, say, your arm.

        • neo2478@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          19 hours ago

          Thank you for the detailed answer. It’s really insightful.

          Considering all the issues women gave in the medical field (like doctors often downplaying symptoms and complaints), I wonder what percentage of doctors are rough.

      • velma@sh.itjust.works
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        19 hours ago

        It’s not gross, just inquisitive. Kinda nice to have people be curious about what things are like for others that are different from themselves.

        And to answer it: yes they use lube. It’s more cold and uncomfortable than painful.

        • neo2478@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          19 hours ago

          Thanks, it was really a curiosity about something I’ll never experience. I also thought I’d ask, because I think there is still too much taboo around female heath topics.

          I think its impossible to get away from the uncomfortability of it, but happy to hear from several people already that it is not painful.