"brutal experience"

I came to the RFH for a routine colposcopy. I've had many gynaecological exams and tests before, and even had a surgery at some point, so I'm very used to the environment and feel relaxed there. I also used to work with the Royal Free and was happy to be going back as a patient.

The clinician started the appointment by telling me that my GP was terrible and they should get more gynaecological training (they actually specialise in gynaecology). Why would they say that before even doing the examination and seeing for themselves? Thinking back to it, it was the first sign that something was wrong, a good professional would never badmouth a colleague, especially in front of a patient.

The examination was really painful, it felt like the speculum was being pushed into an open wound. I have high tolerance for pain and rarely complain, but even I couldn't stay silent. A brown dye (probably iodine?) was applied and I felt like I was burning from the inside. No warning or explanation was given to me beforehand. I felt completely helpless and the clinician was not listening to me or explaining the process very well. They kept telling me to relax, but how can I do that when I'm in pain? Also, I could see everything that was happening inside of me right there on the screen.

I couldn't sit after my appointment, my whole left side was in pain. It was painful to walk. I decided to stay at the hospital until I felt better. The clinician noticed that and tried to talk to me, but instead of listening to me and trying to help they kept repeating that they didn't harm me and I should just take ibuprofen. They kept talking about the cervix while I repeatedly told them that's not where the pain was. So frustrating. I live in a different part of London and was barely able to get home. It was hours until I was feeling better and could sit without being in pain. I've had dozens of appointments like this one and they are supposed to be nearly painless. Not to mention every other clinician I met was caring and would not send me home suffering like this. This experience really shocked me. Whatever they did with that speculum, it did hurt me, and no one cared enough to listen and help.