Today was the dreaded physical with the annual check up of the girly bits. Has anyone ever had a Dr. tell them that they needed to use a "longer" speculum with big girls? My Dr. fiddled around in there for a bit, trying to open the speculum more, wiggle it side to side...when it seemed to be taking longer than usual, I asked her if she was seeing something unusual and asked what the hold up was. I really don't like Drs. to futz around too long in any one area.
She said she needed a longer speculum to visualize the cervix and left it at that. I know she usually used the regular ones with me in the past (I have gained about 30+ lbs in the last 6 mo) so I asked if she needed to use a different size due to my weight. She kindly said yes. I guess one can have fat rolls on their innards too!!
Am I the only one? While I was thinking about the FUPA phenomenon, I've never worried that I had fat rolls on the inside, never even thought of it actually.
Last edited by Michelle98272; 02-17-2010 at 04:35 PM.
I've never had that problem, even at my heaviest. (Which was heavier than your start weight, and I'm quite a bit shorter than you, too!). I think there is a good possibility that it was more cycle related than weight related, but don't get me started on Dr's and blaming everything on someones weight, because I'll get on that soapbox and never get off! lol
Depending on where you are in your cycle (pre ovulation, during, after, LP phase, etc.) your cervix is higher or lower. Maybe your cervix was sitting a litlte higher this time?
I've never had a doctor say that to me, but perhaps they instictively knew to use a longer one from the moment they saw me? "Oh, she's big. I'll go get the long one."
We do of course have fat rolls on the "inside". Sadly that's what makes being overweight so medically dangerous. That extra fat crowds out the organs that are supposed to occupy spaces inside our bodies. It is also why carrying your weight in your abdomen is less healthy than is it is distributed or carried on the hips.
That said, I have not heard anything about needing a longer speculum being needed for visual exams. Maybe your doctor was simplifying? I would ask and try to get a more in depth answer.
We do of course have fat rolls on the "inside". Sadly that's what makes being overweight so medically dangerous. That extra fat crowds out the organs that are supposed to occupy spaces inside our bodies. It is also why carrying your weight in your abdomen is less healthy than is it is distributed or carried on the hips.
That said, I have not heard anything about needing a longer speculum being needed for visual exams. Maybe your doctor was simplifying? I would ask and try to get a more in depth answer.
I did ask more a bit later and she said, the skin "rolls" over the speculum obscuring the view, so to speak.
This is not necessarily an obesity problem. If you have had children, the walls of the vagina can be laxer and can at times protrude and block the view of the cervix. Using a larger speculum then helps to visualize.
Yep...my person uses a longer and smaller one. It makes a big difference for comfort to...because the person I went to before this one...would forget and try the regular one...OUCH! This doctor is WONDERFUL! She remembers!
I've never heard of needing a longer one because of weight. But I agree about the time in your cycle. If you were close to when you ovulate, your cervix is highter, and age and having children can make everything a little different too.