Hi is there any way to catch a disease from a vaginal speculum? KNow its kind of paranoid, but worried?

I went to see a gyno who was very wierd, asked me inappropriate questions and made some wierd comments. I know I hate the exams anyways, but this guy's behavior made me so uncomfortable that after the physical exam I got this crazy idea that he didn't sterilize the speculum and gave me some disease. I KNOW this is paranoid, but I need some reassurance, is this in any way possible?? I'm sure he really didn't do it, but how can I know for sure? Thanks. PLease don't go on about how I am nuts to think this, I really don't trust doctors as a rule anyways.

Hi, thank you so much for the wonderful answers, they reassured me. I wis it were that easy where I live to find any gynecologist , male or female, but it is next to impossible, and nobody seems to use plastic speculums here. I still feel though that I will just stick with a
general practitioner as I have not been satisfied with the few I have managed to find. Thanks again.

Might want to check him out with your state's medical boards and make sure he's licensed and everything is kosher. I haven't had a doctor use a metal speculum on me in years. If you were truly uncomfortable, you probably have reason to be, unless it was your very first exam, then you could just blame it on nerves.

First of all, your terrible experience saddens me. It's not supposed to be that way! Male gynecologists, as a rule, are supposed to have a female nurse present with them when performing an examination. Obviously, you will not be going back to that doctor, but in the future, if you're ever feeling uncomfortable during doctor's visit, don't be afraid to leave! Your safety and comfort take precedence over someone's feelings.
That said, while it is possible the speculum was not sterilized (was it steel or plastic? next time, ask for disposable plastic one that gets opened right in front of you), it is highly, highly, unlikely that even if it wasn't you would catch an infection. There would have to be organisms present on the speculum (and they don't live very long on steel), and you would have to have an open sore. Even then, very unlikely. If you did have an infection, you should be experiencing symptoms by now, such a pain or a discharge. To reassure yourself, there's nothing wrong with seeing a (female this time) gynecologist again. Ask your friends for recommendations. Or abandon medicine altogether and see a nurse-midwife. Most of them provide routine GYN care and in many states can write prescriptions. You might find a nurse more sensitive than a doctor, though maybe I'm biased because I'm a nurse...
I'm really sorry that you had to go through that.

Usually speculums are sterilized and warmed before use. You stand very little to no chance of getting something if it was sterlized. If he DID NOT sterilize the speculum, then Yes, though I don't know what diseases, but you could get one if it were used on a woman before you and she had some kind of disease, especially if its one you can pass on like herpes or chlamydia. I put my faith in doctors, but hate going to them with a passion. I fear going to the doctor. Well, you could ask him if he did, but chances are highly likely he won't admit it to you or he'll lie. I would report him and go to a clinic or your family doctor to do that and to get checked out to see if you do have any diseases..

all equipment is sterelized in an autoclave at super high temps to kill any and everything that could live on them, so dont worry

You don't sound nuts.

First of all, my major concern would be for the inappropriate comments/behavior. At a minimum if they make you uncomfortable get a new ob-gyn. If particularly offensive consider reporting this to the state medical board. Regarding the speculum-they use mostly disposable plastic ones now and the metal ones are usually soaked in germicide and autoclaved (by the nursing staff-so your wierd doctor wouldn't probably control this). Even if not sterilized, the likelihood of contracting an STD is very low.

My advice:switch doctors-a female gyno that uses plastic disposable speculums. Good luck.