Smear Test - should the speculum be sterile?

Teenie_D

beks wrote: »

LOL!!! For some people (very small, tall, virgins, overweight) the medium size doesn't work. One size does not fit all if you know what I mean ... there is virgin, small, medium, extra long, large, extra large and just brought in some for obese patients. That is the benefit of single use, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The norm is medium but does not always work (and sometimes we only find that out once we have inserted it!).

That's what happened with my last smear test, they always have problems finding my cervix and after fiddling around with a medium one the nurse said oh dear we are going to need a longer one-a double whammy oooohhhh:eek: !

beks

ACEY wrote: »

Oh! Well, I'm 5 foot 7 and average weight. But have had 2 children, if that makes any difference. Perhaps she was brandishing an extra small one (or an extra large!)

Your guess is as good as mine on that one!

beks

Teenie_D wrote: »

That's what happened with my last smear test, they always have problems finding my cervix and after fiddling around with a medium one the nurse said oh dear we are going to need a longer one-a double whammy oooohhhh:eek: !

Thank god you are in Scotland, I know it wasnt me!!!

tandraig

I am now doubled up laughing - I thought one size speculum fits all! jeez - am going to have to ask the practice nurse which one fits me! fifties - rather small - had three kids - do i get medium or large? will be gutted if its extra large!

Ruby_Moon

1. The speculum will have been cleaned and sterillised.
2. The speculum is then put away in a cupboard/drawer to use.
3. The speculum does not need to be sterile because your vagina is not sterile.
4. The speculum will then have been put into a container ready for cleaning after your use.
5. The speculum will not have been used for 4 people in a row.

Yes, some speculums come in packets which are sterile although not all of them are like that because not all surguries can afford disposable items.
Rest assuerd, your speculum was clean. It is perfectly acceptable to warm it before use.

dontone

tandraig wrote: »

jeez - you get warmed up speculums - I dont! they are unwrapped and whipped up! bit of a schock yes.
hmmmmmmmm will take thermos of hot water next time and ask for them to be dipped in. wonder how that would be recieved by practice nurse.

Last time I went the nurse didn't warm it up. And the cold caused me to tense up. I was walking like John Wayne by the time I came out of the surgery.
Nowt worse than laying there all nervous and uncomfortable and a stranger telling you to relax.
Then again, I'm telling strangers here about my last experience :rotfl:

snapping_crocodile

As someone else said it probably was sterilised before it was put in the drawer....but
just to add women do stick a few things up their 'foof' which aren't sterilised first :whistle:

geminilady

BeenieCat wrote: »

I dunno, my memory sucks But i think it was about 30-45 mins

I feel left out, i've never had a smear

Sorry if i'm butting in but just wondered why you have never had one? they are essential for finding early signs of cervical cancer.Just had a thought maybe you are male:o

richardw

beks wrote: »

It does not have to be sterile to be inserted. Tampons etc are not sterile but 'clean'.

Only suggested clean, so not that stupid.

When they warm it in warm water, what do they dry it on?

BTW 'Please be nice to moneysavers'

Morganarla

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

1. The speculum will have been cleaned and sterillised.
2. The speculum is then put away in a cupboard/drawer to use.
3. The speculum does not need to be sterile because your vagina is not sterile.
4. The speculum will then have been put into a container ready for cleaning after your use.
5. The speculum will not have been used for 4 people in a row.

Yes, some speculums come in packets which are sterile although not all of them are like that because not all surguries can afford disposable items.
Rest assuerd, your speculum was clean. It is perfectly acceptable to warm it before use.

1 - How does the OP know this? Nothing was done in front of her, and neither was it removed from a sterilising bag.
2 - Poor practice in my opinion, unless it was sealed in a sterilising bag which it clearly was not.
3 - The fact that vaginas are not sterile means that instruments that are inserted into one for MEDICAL purposes need to be sterile. Would you be happy knowing that the last person that it was inserted into had the clap and then it wasn't sterilised? Mmmm lovely.
4- Yes it may have been cleaned - not good enough as per my points above.
5 - Again, how does the OP know this? Based on your advice, the darn thing doesn't even need to be sterile so whats the harm in sharing?!


OP - please get the conformation from the practice manager on this issue.