Those who have undergone medical examination cervical canceraka, anyone who has had a Pap smear knows how uncomfortable it can be during a vaginal examination — and mirrors play a key role in that.
A duckbill-type medical device that has been around for over 170 years allows doctors to isolate the vaginal wall and “see what’s going on inside the vagina, look at the cervix to get a Pap smear, or ask someone why.” You can find out if it’s bleeding,” Dr. Christine GravesA gynecologist at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Fla. told Yahoo Life.
This can look for abnormalities in the external genitalia such as the vulva and perineum, bilateral examination Doctors feel the size, shape, and location of the pelvic organs, including the uterus and ovaries, and check for masses, tenderness, or pain.
But why is having a speculum inserted during an examination such an unpleasant experience? And why has a commonly used device not been updated in over a century and a half? Here’s what doctors say and how to make a pelvic exam more comfortable.
Why is a pelvic exam with a speculum often uncomfortable?
According to experts, these tests are uncomfortable for a number of reasons, and in some cases, even downright painful. Not to mention the fact that the sound is in it. Least favorite featuresaid Cedars-Sinai.
A woman’s life stage and medical history are also factors. “Sexually inactive women and menopausal women may find the speculum device intolerable,” says an obstetrician-gynecologist. Dr. Gil WeissAssociate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, partner of the Association for Women’s Healthcare, told Yahoo Life. “Certain health conditions can make the device even more uncomfortable.”
One such condition is vaginal atrophy. Weiss explains that transient vaginal atrophy can occur after childbirth, but a more permanent form is common after menopause. It makes the examination more uncomfortable,” he says.
Women with other conditions such as vaginismus (involuntary contractions of the muscles of the vagina. Penetration can be done and is painful, whether it is a speculum, penis or tampon), vulvar pain (chronic pain, burning or irritation in the vulva) and lichen sclerosus (Thin, inflamed, and itchy genital skin) You may also experience more pain during a speculum examination, says Weiss.
“Women who have been sexually assaulted and transgender women may also experience more pain during a speculum examination,” he adds.
A history of trauma can make pelvic examinations and speculum insertion “triggers and more uncomfortable for people.” Dr. Alson Burke, an obstetrician and gynecologist at UW Medicine, told Yahoo Life: Burke says the vagina is “composed of a complex set of muscles that we don’t always have enough control over when it comes to relaxing. These muscles involuntarily tighten, narrowing the opening and causing discomfort.” may increase,” he explains.
What are some ways to make the exam more comfortable?
Beginning with your doctor explaining each part of the test, there are several ways to make a pelvic exam and cervical cancer screening better for your patient, so there are no surprises. It’s about making sure the patient understands if a part needs to be examined,” Burke said. “It helps to know the ‘why’ behind it.”
Weiss agrees, saying the most important thing is to stay in touch with your healthcare provider during the trial, especially if you’re feeling tense or in pain. “Slowing down your breath is always the next step in communication,” he says. “When you slow down your breathing, your body tends to relax, and this usually helps.” The speculum puts pressure on your pelvis, so emptying your bladder before the exam is a good idea, he says. Weiss says.
Finding the right speculum also makes a difference. “Speculums come in a variety of sizes and designs,” Weiss says. for example, Pederson’s speculum According to the Cleveland Clinic, Graves Speculum may be suitable for women with larger, longer vaginal canals. For others, “switching to a smaller size speculum, such as a pediatric speculum, which is narrower and shorter than other speculums, or switching to another type of speculum may all help.” says Weiss.
As Burke says, “It’s about finding a shape and size that works well with the person’s body.
Using a lubricant can make speculum insertion more comfortable, says Greves. Although it is controversial whether lubricants affect Pap smear results, some research show it water-based lubricant is fine.
For patients who are nervous about the test, Burke recommends bringing a support person. Or listen to music to calm yourself down. She recommends the use of anti-anxiety medications for patients with a history of trauma, and for patients who find a vaginal examination painful, applying a topical anesthetic gel before placing the speculum is effective, she says.
Why hasn’t the speculum been updated in over a century and a half?
The medical device itself dates back to the Roman Empire and, as Greves points out, Found in Pompeii It dates back to 79 AD. But the modern mirror with a darker history was invented in the 19th century. Dr. James Marion Sims — The controversial “Father of Modern Gynecology” 1845experiments on slave women without anesthesia.
Weiss admits that the design of the mirror “has changed very little” over the past 170 years.
Maybe it’s because the design is hard to improve. In some ways, Burke says, the speculum is a tool that works “pretty well,” but “unfortunately, given the health and reproductive health of many women, there isn’t much funding for innovation.” No,” he said. She adds:
Weiss says there are several new devices on the market that use different methods to separate the vaginal wall from the cervix. But so far, “none of these devices have caught our attention,” he says.
But some are trying to change that by listening to both patients and doctors. Ceek Women’s Health Nella NuSpec SpeculumFor example, the beak is very narrow (about the width of a tampon) and made of a “temperature-neutral” material that doesn’t cool like a metal speculum. In addition, JonahIt’s still in the early stages of design and uses three silicon-coated metal “leaves” instead of two to separate the vaginal walls, making it easier to see without applying more pressure. increase. orchid spec 100% sugar cane eco-friendly speculum that is anti-pinch and quiet (no stressful clicks when opening the speculum that can cause patient tension).
“I honestly believe that if a new device hits the market, is perceived as improved by clinicians, and becomes more acceptable to patients, the traditional speculum will be abandoned.” Weiss says.
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