[krisakira]

I am wondering, is it normal to feel pain when they put the duck beak instrument in you and crank it up bigger and bigger? It hurts me just for it to go inside of me, and then they open it up more and more and I just can hardly take it. Maybe I am small? I am sexually active with my boyfriend but we don't "do it" very often maybe once every few weeks or a month. I use tampons, or I used to when I use to have a period but now I have an IUD for period control (I have PCOS and my period would never stop), and I have never given birth. The IUD insertion was one of the most painful experiences I had ever had, but I did get through it. So is it normal for the duck beak to hurt? (lol the duck beak, I know, I don't know what else to call it!)

[ickydog2006]

Check out the women's forum. You'll find a lot of people on bothsides. It hurts for me too.

[Harley47]

Well, I'm not a woman, but I do know what you're talking about. The duck beak thing is, I'm pretty sure, called a speculum (which is about as fun to say as the application ). I'd wager that it's simply a matter of you being a little on the "small" side, to speak lightly. I don't think it's entirely abnormal...speaking as a guy, and thus taken with a grain of salt, any device meant to stretch such a sensitive part to the point it can be easily peered inside of cannot be comfortable in the slightest.

Ickydog gave good advice though. The women's health section will likely be more use to you than I. While I feel like I'm making a safe guess, I'd rather you have better knowledge than my speculation, regardless of how sound I think it may be.

[hamster-bamster]

Only a tiny bit. Not something bad. More like discomfort than like pain.

[roads]

Very little--more brief, minor discomfort than pain. I'm very small (5'8").& my doc ordered a speculum the proper size for me.

[LiteraryLark]

I've learned to tolerate it, but the first time I was traumatized from it.

I believe the reason of the pain is because a stranger is putting something foreign inside you and mentally your mind doesn't want it, so physically your body is fighting it. It can be a scary experience, but it's important to realize that your gyno is only trying to help you and make sure your body is looking normal.

[Travelinglady]

I'd tell your doc about the severe pain. I will give you some advice: Go to a woman gynecologist! They are much more careful and know what they are doing. Male docs just don't understand! And they should have different-sized speculums in a decent office.

[Eliza Jane]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

I'd tell your doc about the severe pain. I will give you some advice: Go to a woman gynecologist! They are much more careful and know what they are doing. Male docs just don't understand! And they should have different-sized speculums in a decent office.

I have a friend who requests a pediatric speculum and that helps her.

I think there is a lot of individual variation. It isn't something that hurts me at all.

I have heard both ways on the male vs female GYN issue. Some people argue the opposite and say that a male is more careful because he knows he doesn't have the same equipment so he tries to be more careful while a female assumes you are built like and feel like her. If you have a female doc who doesn't find these exams uncomfortable, you could be in trouble! Could you call up new female docs and specifically ask to see one who finds pelvic exams painful? LOL! I'm not in a place to comment because I have only had one doc (male) so far.

Best,
EJ

[Vibe]

That part is uncomfortable but not extremely painful. The later part of the exam really hurts though.

[Travelinglady]

I've heard it said you know when the doc has actually made contact with the ovaries when pressing down in the abdominal area because it does hurt a bit. I'm not sure about that.

I have had many gynecologists over the years, what with moving around a lot and being picky. And generally I find the women are more sensitive. Of course, I guess there are always the sadistic ones! I am very, very happy with the one I have now.

[Maven]

It's extremely painful for me. I have always had pain with intercourse, and I've gotten all kinds of diagnoses, including being too small, being shaped wrong, having yeast infections (but I still had pain when they were cleared up), and more. I can't seem to get a definitive answer, and it's been a very upsetting thing for me. I don't have sex with my boyfriend (he was the first one to close that door), and now, for several years, my sex drive's been considerably less. I just had a hormone test at the doctor, but apparently, everything's fine. I might give her a call and see if I can talk to her personally and make sure. For some reason, when they called to tell me my mammogram was negative, they called my home phone, and when they didn't reach me, they called my boyfriend's phone. He's my emergency contact, so I don't know why they called him for something that isn't an emergency.

[ThisWayOut]

My ex has an issue (can't remember what it is called) but she pretty much has "webbing" that makes al that very painful. I would talk to my doctor about it. It could be indicative of a problem, but it could also be as simple as needing a smaller speculum. My doctor has to use a small one for me, but it's an anxiety thing. I just tense up too much to be able to use a large one.
It also helps if you have a doctor you are comfortable with. Even though I've moved across the country, I will travel back to see her when I need to.

[JLarissaDragon]

I have never found the insertion of a speculum to be anything pleasant. It hurts a little but still it is necessary and I tolerate it. If your doctor uses one that is too large that could also be the problem. It is hard to relax, when you are being "violated" like that, but it sure helps if you do. Fortunately it does not take very long

It's not from you being small. I'm 5'10" and I've had the same issue, also when they take the sample for the PAP smear--ouch! I've learned to take ibuprofen every time I go to the OB/GYN because it hurts too much not to. They say your cervix has no nerve endings but I think that's a bunch of bull. I've learned how to relax and deep breathe so it's not so bad, but I'm in my 30's and have been going since I was 16. Try the ibuprofen and just try your best to relax, relax, relax. Your natural reaction is to tense up but that makes it worse. It gets easier as you get older, I think. For me it did.

[LiteraryLark]

The first time was very traumatic for me, I was sobbing and the gyno was asking if I've been raped or abused because I was crying so much.

I just hate the thought of having someone stick their finger and tools inside me, even if it's not on a sexual basis.