A few weeks ago, I had the best speculum exam of my life. (Yup, we're going here.) My gynecologist, aware of my history with pelvic pain and painful sex, offered to let me insert the speculum on my own. I was a bit weary of wielding the scary claws myself, so she gave me another option to minimize pain. She had me take three deep breaths and slowly inserted the speculum with each exhale to minimize pelvic pain and pressure. A simple intervention that took her a few extra seconds made me dramatically more calm and at ease. I'm not alone in dreading the speculum. Somewhere between 21-64% of women are reported to have anxiety or fear over their pelvic exams. And for good reason. As Evvy highlights in their incredible new book about the gaps in women's health research and innovation, the speculum has not been redesigned since the 1800s. It's one of many "effed facts" they highlight, including: - 72% of women have experienced medical gaslighting - women, trans men and non-binary people are 5x more likely to feel unheard when seeking medical help for their reproductive health - we didn't have an anatomical understanding of the clitoris until 2005 and - 66% of 18-24 year olds are embarrassed to the say the word "vagina" to a doctor 💔 Thank you to Priyanka Jain and the team at Evvy for leading the way with #EqualResearchDay and so glad Origin can be a small part of it. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/g39M_vmZ
A traumatizing first GYN exam was the reason I decided to become an OB/GYN... well - that and the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I delivered a baby for the first time. But I truly felt called to see the younger women in the office - especially those who were coming in for their first visit/exam. Listening, offering options, explaining what's going on, asking permission. That patient will never have another first GYN exam. And I felt a certain responsibility to make sure that they felt as safe and comfortable as possible so that they did not fear or dread their GYN visits as much as so many other women did.
I don't know why yona care isn't available in all exam rooms, because their speculum redesign is the first thing that comes to my mind about how to change our gynecological care forever https://yonacare.com/
I cannot tell you how much I love that we're talking about this on Linkedin!
thank you for the incredible work you do everyday to close the gender health gap! grateful to have you as a partner and friend 💛
Love this, more of this please!
Love this, Carine Carmy. Diaphragmatic breathing is an incredible strategy for anyone with PFD to learn, for a speculum exam or just for everyday! Also, if you haven't already, check out the Nella speculum by Ceek Women's Health! Game changer for some of my patients!
This is trauma-informed, whole person care. May this care become the model for all healthcare for all people! 🙏
Yes to simple techniques and empathetic communication that can transform this experience! I will always be grateful to the one nurse who changed the game for me after 2 awful experiences - she listened, and gave me practical tips - for example, the deep breathing, also ask your healthcare professional to count down from 5 to 1 while they collect the cells, and for me in particular as a tall woman to ask for a small speculum because many people would assume a large one based on my height and frame. When I was Chief Content Ed at Healthily, I commissioned this guide and sharing here in the hope it helps people feel more comfortable emotionally and physically! https://www.livehealthily.com/self-care/smear-test-tips
Hence why the International Gynaecological Awareness Day September 10 2024 campaign is a great way to raise issues like this for greater global education research funding and support for women x Kath Mazzella OAM ❤️
Certified Nurse Midwife, Expert Medical Witness, and Assistant Professor
2moAs a women's Healthcare provider, it is incredibly disturbing how many women come to me having had terrible exams in the past. It is even more terrifying how few providers know how to perform an exam in a trauma-informed way. I'm proud of how many women leave the exam room after an exam with me saying "that was it?" Yes, that was it...an exam should not be scary, painful, or humiliating. Not every pelvic exam requires stirrups...in fact, very few do, and that is usually driven by patient request, due to mobility concerns. Although I think the new redesigns of the speculum are promising, I think the training and attitude of the provider are much more important to patient experience.