Internal examination help please - Women's Health

Women's Health

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Internal examination help please

77Horse profile image
24 Replies

Yesterday I had two examination with 2 different speculums . The consultant was asking me to relax and the consultant done loads of examination. When leaving I bleed loads and discharge and soreness and cramping. Yesterday was the worst pain I have ever had.

A day on still have soreness and cramping is this normal .

apart from pain killers is there anything to help me .?

Is this pain and all what I have had normal ?

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77Horse profile image
77Horse
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24 Replies
Nat246 profile image
Nat246

Sorry you had to go through the examinations, they’re never nice but has to be done! Feeling sore and a bit of bleeding is normal, but I’d say if it doesn’t go in a couple of days speak to your doctor. The severity of the cramps / bleeding depends on what you’ve had done, ie if they took a biopsy or not x

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to Nat246

Hello Nat

Thank you no biopsy but a really painful examination . I don't know why the seem to use two different speculums is this normal ? Seems a bit strange that what caused all the pain and bleeding .

Nat246 profile image
Nat246 in reply to 77Horse

I’ve no idea why they used two. Did they not explain what they were doing? If you have anything again be sure to ask and get all your questions answered. Hope you’re getting some rest!

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to Nat246

Hello Nat

No the consultant did not explain just inserting speculum and I can see your cervix. I was in so much pain I couldn't ask . I had to focus on breathing and relaxing and that was easer said than done . A bit more sore today . I thought it was getting better. Is it worth speaking to nurse? thanks for all your help..

Nat246 profile image
Nat246 in reply to 77Horse

Ah that doesn’t sound nice! I think you should speak to the nurse, always better to check rather than be at home worrying.

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to Nat246

Hello Nat

Yes I would like to speak to Nurse but feel like I would be wasting time .

My friend who has been thought the same sad its normal .

What I want to know is there anything other than pain killer that can help the soreness ? Other than moisturisers.

Thank you for all your help .

Feeling really sore and have white discharge . Should I email the clinic and ask if this is normal then I wouldn't waste Nurses time ?

Nat246 profile image
Nat246 in reply to 77Horse

You’re not wasting anyone’s times, nurses are there to help and they don’t mind checking everything is as it should be.

Sorry don’t have any tips other than painkillers and hot water bottle

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to Nat246

Hello Nat

Might have a phone call with the doctor who reffered me just to ask all these questions . Thank you for all your help

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply to 77Horse

The speculums would be different sizes, if one was to big or small then he would try a different one. My consultant tried one that was to big for me so she went down a size, still agony !

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to bantam12

Hello Bantam

They have a big metal one . I don't get why they still have metal speculums?. Then a small plastic one . By the time I had the plastic speculum I had 3 examinations . I am not sure if its normal but the metal speculum I think made me sore would that be possible ? Then with the plastic speculum and more test was really sore to the point where I couldn't stay still. Is there anything apart from pain killer that could help ? My first experience was not a good one staff nice but you feel like saying what are you doing as your sat there with no idea .

It was so horrible .

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply to 77Horse

They are just different types and sizes, it's not unusual for doctors having to swap from one to other, I'm afraid it's just how it is. If you are worried about the ongoing pain best to see your GP but likely he/she will wan to examine you again !

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to bantam12

Maybe I will leave it for a few days . As I don't really want another examination and have to go through this again take 2 . Thank you

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

I had discomfort and bleeding for 6 days after last examination.

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to bantam12

Hello Bantam

Thank you

77Horse profile image
77Horse

What do you find help the most ? I did try moisturisers again!

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne

Sorry, but I read all these replies and these examinations should not be this painful. I am unclear why there is so such a problem with gynocological exam. The only painful exam usuallly would be for putting in an IUD or having a DNC which involves the uterus. Were these eiher of the issues or was it just a normal gynocological exam. I apologize if I came in the middle but read the progress which seems poor.

Gynocological exam should never be this painful unless very tense, but never bleeding. Sometines when they do a biopsy but it does not bleed if they know what they are doing. This does not seem to be the case/

If you are in pain, perhaps have someone go with you to assure they understand the pain you are going through and why. Did the nurse help in any way?

As I am not familiar with a contultant, is that a doctor? If not, it seems you need a doctor who knows what he is doing. I would not want people practicing on the vagina and outside the uterus.

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply to socratesanne

Do you have any medical/Gynae training ? as you seem very sure internal exams should never cause pain or bleeding.

I can assure you they can cause both of the above even when done by a Consultant who is a specialist in Gynaecology.

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne in reply to bantam12

Don't ask me, ask other women you have known, preferably older women who can speak better about exams and what they think. No one likes the indignity of it, but it is not as you all describe and if it is the doc is being too rough or the speculum is too large and forcing an opening. Ask the women you know who are experienced. Look it up o the internet for thoughs as perhaps I live in a different country than you.

Why did they say you were bleeding?

Let us face it it should be no difference than intercourse and most people do not bleed except the first time as the hymans is broken, but should not occur in an exam. Maybe the docs there break the hyman but I still do not believe the hyman bleeds that long. I had exams before I was sexually active and they never broke the hyman. I do not have to be a doc to tell you how women are examined and I have worked with sexuality among women for a few years as well.

If I was not to discuss the truth, then i do not have to follow a series of false information, unless 77horse had other tests done, as might have been true of you, i.e. a biopsy and checking the cells to determine if there is a problem, but they would tell you that.

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply to socratesanne

At 64 I have had numerous exams plus many years of IVF treatment and I assure you that pain is more normal than not, you are very lucky if you feel nothing.

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to bantam12

Hello Bantam

Thank you for all your help . I am so sorry if this has caused any upset . Thank you for all your help

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to socratesanne

Sorry are you speaking to me or Bantam ?

Sorry I don't want any bad feeling

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to socratesanne

Hello Socratesanne

Thank you for that information . May I ask why do you think these examinations should not be painful?

The consultant in my case was the top and leading Gynecologists in the hospital.

The Nurses were lovely . Do you have any thoughts on my pain?

Best wishes

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne in reply to 77Horse

It really depends on why you were being examined. If they were doing a biopsy, the pain would be minor and in just one area and the speculum should not affect you what so ever. sometimes they are cold and should never be inserted until you relax, never forced. The reason as to why the exam might shed some light on the problem.

In all the years, and they are many, pain was just not an issue, unless my muscles were not relaxed which, granted, is not easy, but bleeding is extremely concerning. This does not happen if it just an exam, as far I know.

I know IUDs can be painful if they are inserted for birth control and that almost feels like the contraction from childbirth, but that was only time I had had pain but it was going into the uterus.

What i was confused about is that many of the responses said they had pain. That could be coincidental, but wanted to respond so you would hear from someone who has had many and report that awareness and other women who do not usually have problems.

If this is your first exam and there has been not penetration at your young age, there might be some discomfort and it the hymen was broken, that causes blood, but not pain. Sorry you are having to go through this as our body should be treated gently, especially in that area.

Do not want you to be fearful, One writer encouraged you to have a nurse around and I think that is a great idea to help with any pain and tension you might have, also to give you courage to relax so it does not hurt, guiding you as to what the doc is doing. Just a suggestion, but a strong one, as I do not want you to be hurt and you should know exactly what is going on. The more you are prepared, the easier it will be and the doc needs to honor that. Docs need to be patient, especially in this circumstance. It is your body!

77Horse profile image
77Horse in reply to socratesanne

Hello Socratesanne

Totally agree a nurse should be around . Its just a shame they don't say what they are doing . Totally agree they should. I was in pain.. I was relaxed and should not of been in pain but I was crying with pain have no idea why . any thoughts on this share . The Nurses was talking to me we were having a chat so not even thinking and I was not tense . I was in pain . I don't get why . As I have been though every examination loads of times . But that was the worst I was bleeding and bad cramping cannot explain why and felt so sick. This was before I left my appointment !

I do fully take your feed back . Some woman do not have pain on examination and no symptoms . Sadly there is pepole like my self who suffer for days after and this is normal to after speaking to other woman .

Best wishes

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