Gyno procedure- A question for ladies only?

Hi, I recently went to a gynocologist in my small town in India(for the first time ever). Though he was male, he was my family physician for yrs and we felt it is best to go to him.
During the examination, I felt a little uncomfortable and so want to ask all you ladies if this is normal behaviour and feelings. There was a female nurse present during the examination.
1. He told me to undress completely. I felt this wierd as he was only going to check 'downstairs'??
2. He told the nurse to remove my va*ginal hair?
2. He did not use a glove or anything....? Though he washed his hands before and after the exam.
3. He took a few photographs of my organ as 'before' photographs and said these were needed for the examination.
4. He inserted 2 fingers in my front and back too? Why? Is he supposed to do this? What is he checking?
When I asked my mother in law about this, she said that this was how he treated all patients and since a nurse was there, it is ok?
As I just being paranoid?

I wanted to add that he made me sign an 'agreement' which said I agree for the gyno procedure etc etc...Dont know what it says in details (it was 4-5 pages)..
He said the pictures are needed as a comparative analysis before and after treatment.
I have some itching inside my va*ginal area and went to treatment for that.

This sound very wrong!
Never had vaginal hair removed for an exam.
He didn't use a glove! Do you how many vaginas he touches a day! You can get an infection!
Why did he insert his fingers? Was he doing a pap smear? If he was that wasn't the right way to do it. I have no idea what he was checking for. And pictures, what a pervert. He probably has a web site or something.
This sounds totally wrong!!!!!
You are not being paranoid and should do something about this doctor, if you don't he's going to keep doing it to other women!
Good luck

"Ladies only"...that's very sexist.

I could answer your questions (I'm a Consultant Gynaecologist) and give you an educated, medical response but as you're not interested in my opinion I won't.

This seems completly unacceptable! It could be just different cultures and different ways of doing things (I am from the US). Here in the US we are given disposable gowns. We don't lay there completly naked. Gloves are always used. They do insert a finger in the vagina to check the cervix but as far as the anal area, only if there is an abnormality that needs to be checked out. My Dr. has never stuck her finger in my anus. Vaginal Hair has also never been a problem. I think you should talk to other women where you live and see if this is normal behavior in your country.

Every physician has his or her own style, but you don't state the purpose of the exam, I would hope the next time you insist on gloves, am puzzled by the photo's unless there were skin eruptions or sores #4 checking the wall between the vagina and rectum which can tear and lead to serious infections, but mother-in-law probably right and it is normal to view the breast as part of a gyno exam.

Some of this is highly unusual, and some of it is normal.

Yes, your doctor will do a manual exam from both your vagina and your rectum. That's a way to better check for problems.

Yes, undressing completely is necessary. As a part of this exam, either the nurse or the doctor should be doing a manual breast exam to check for lumps. This can't be done if you're wearing any clothing above the waist.

Women do not have vaginal hair. They have hair on their mons veneris. But it's not necessary to be shaved in order to have a pelvic exam.

Photographs should not be take. This is a violation of your privacy and of ethics.

Doctors should be using disposable gloves to cover their hands for any and all exams of any type.

I'm including some links about GYN exams. Read them and consider your experience against this information before you say anything to anyone about this. When you're done that, if you're certain that this is wrong, start by contacting the medical licensing board in your state or country and filing a complaint. Let them follow up.

Devika, I think you have just been sexually assaulted. NO doctor would ask a female to strip entirely before a "downstairs " exam. Removing the hair is completely unecessary and pointless.
Gloves are ESSENTIAL always.
Taking photographs is NOT permitted unless you sign a consent form and then they are to be used for medical reference only, so he would have to have had a good excuse to want them.
Inserting two fingers into your back is certainly NOT acceptable, as he had no reason to.
I would report this insident to the authorities straight away.

Hi, I am from New Zealand and from my experience, I have NEVER had photos taken and that is not necessary in any country. Secondly, if you hadn't gone for a breast examination then there was no need for you to take all your clothes off, thats bizarre. Thirdly having to be shaven is not on also. If I were you i would change doctors immediately. I changed to a female doctor and I suggest you should to.

Find this totally unacceptable, and not professional at all.

Actually, when you go to a gyno for a pap, it is required that you undress completely, because they will do a breast exam. BUT, the doctor is supposed to leave the room and give you privacy while you undress, and also provide you with a gown to put on. Then the doctor returns after you have changed into the gown. You are not supposed to be examined naked.
Yes, they doctor will insert a finger into your vagina because they also place a finger on your belly at the same time, so they can feel your uterus and ovaries. This is how they check for abnormalities. I have never had a doctor put his or her fingers into my anus. I suppose if maybe you had a problem there, it would be a good thing to check it, therefore making it ok. But you said this was your first time, so I don't think it was appropriate.
No doctor should take pictures of your private areas. Unless it is for medical research and you consent to it. In which case, your photos would be used only for research among doctors. But in your case, I really see no reason for pictures.
I have no clue why he had you shaved. That is not appropriate.
And he should have worn gloves. Washed hands or not, it is very unsanitary.
But I live in the US. I don't know if maybe the rules in India are different. But either way, I think maybe you should try another doctor and see how that exam goes. If the new doctor does not do the things your old doctor did, then I would report him immediataly!

this is a fake question.

1. unless a breast examination was also part of the check-up, he should have given you a gown or really big sheet, told you to undress from the waist down and cover yourself.

2. the nurse doesn't need to remove vaginal hair. that's too personal. and even though he washed his hands, he should have worn medical gloves.

3. unless there is a medical reason, or you're going in for plastic surgery on your netherlands - NO GYNO NEEDS TO TAKE PICTURES!! these are not needed for the exam.

4. on your first pap, the insertion of one or two fingers is normal when they check your lower abdoman for anything abnormal. you went in for a pap, not a rectal examination. there should have been no poking and prodding there. if your doc just inserted two fingers just because, that's just not right. that's a violation.

every pap examination you have, there will always be MEDICAL paperwork done before. that is normal. if it wasn't medical...i can't help you with that.

if your mother-in-law says he treats all his patients like this, sweety, go find a FEMALE gyno doctor. by reading what you wrote, you have been violated and taken advantage of in ways a doctor shouldn't. the female nurse who was present for this, should have done something. not once have i had a pap like the one you describe.

if you felt uncomfortable by what he did during the procedure, you need to report this immediately.

Some things in your account sound very strange to me.

Personally - any doctor that spoke to me as if I was a child and said he would check 'downstairs' - well, I would have walked out there and then.