What is it about the vagina that makes doctors think they have the right to talk about what’s gone in there before? When a person has a colonoscopy, does the doctor say, “Yeah, we stick all this equipment in you, but things have been in your colon before.”

For heaven’s sake, when I go to the dentist and I flinch at the sight of that thing they want to stick in my mouth to keep it open, the dentist doesn’t say, “What’s the big deal? It’s not like you’ve never had anything in your mouth before.”

So yes,the fact that a woman has had a penis or a tampon inside her vagina DOES NOT MEAN SHE WANTS A BIG PIECE OF PLASTIC OR METAL IN THERE. Thank you, doctors of the world, for recognizing that women put things in their vaginas. Now please back off and treat us as something other than a place to put things.

I hope this girl has the sense to figure out now what kind of Dr this is going to be for her, and run like crazy in the opposit direction. Maybe to a midwife perhaps

I’m going to call it like I see it and say that’s sexual harassment on the dr’s part.

Go, Jane, go!You are funny and so right on!

This poor girl. I was 17 when I was forced to have a pap smear. The Dr was female and told me that it was routine to have one at that age regardless of sexual activity. (I was a virgin) so my mother and I consented as we didn’t know any better. She used an adult speculum on me which caused a great deal of pain which I didn’t let on at first (I was also alone for the appointment) she finally realized I was in pain and that the speculum was too big and switched to a junior sized one. She caused me to bleed. It was a very bad experience and knowing what I know now I should have been able to sue her or something!

Geeze he acts as if he’s the owner of it.

This is because (some) doctors do not have the patience to explain things before hand to a woman, and take the time during the exam to make it as painless as possible. Having a speculum inserted is nothing like having a penis inserted! For one thing – during intercourse, your body is physically and mentally prepared for penetration – and you look forward to it (hello….foreplay!!!).

My first speculum examination was also awful. I didn’t realize how bad it was untill I had one by someone who seemed to care! The first time it was not warmed up and was piniching me very bad. I started crying and the nurse practioner just thought I was being an overly sensitive schmuck. The next time it was done was at the college health clinic where they knew what they were doing! I wish someone, anyone would give young women a ‘heads up’ about this stuff!

Yes, the first (and mercifully, only) time I had to have a speculum used on me… well, let’s say I’d rather forget the pain!

Thankfully, my first experience with one wasn’t that bad. BUT.. I had a very understanding OB who took the time to show things to me first, explain to me what she was doing every single step of the way. It might have taken longer, but I left without feeling violated, angry, sad, crushed etc. Sadly, this woman didn’t deliver my son. You taking notes doc? Perhaps you should rethink your bedside manner. Just because “something” has been in there, doesn’t mean that what you’re going to insert isn’t going to cause discomfort and that we shouldn’t be nervous.

OP- You didn’t deserve that comment. I hope that’s the last time you ever saw that doctor and you’ve had a decent experience to at least partly heal that.