The Effect of Lubricating Gel on Patient Comfort During Speculum Insertion.

The Effect of Lubricating Gel on Patient Comfort During Speculum Insertion.

The purpose of this study is to determine if lubricating gel affects patients' perception of discomfort during speculum insertion, as compared to water.

The outcome measure is patient discomfort as measured by a visual analogue scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women undergoing vaginal speculum examination between the ages of 18 and 50.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy.
• Non-English speaking.
• Using hormone therapy.
• Active vulvar or vaginal lesion, infection or complaint.
• Undergoing vaginal or vulvar procedure or biopsy.
• History of chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis or vulvar vestibulitis.
• History of prior vulvar or vaginal surgical procedures.