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AIBU?

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Original poster

Surely doctors who do this should have short fingernails?

65 replies

bgudd · 06/09/2025 00:03

I had my Mirena coil replaced this week. It's the third replacement and I don't remember any pain at all from previous times - just a bit of discomfort. But this time it was intensely, sharply painful, and made me scream out. I'm wondering it was because the doctor had long fingernails. They weren't talons, but they were long enough to stick out, and therefore stick in. (I noticed them because they were painted black and quite chipped). Aibu?

OP posts:
Bluesocks39 · 06/09/2025 22:00

bgudd · 06/09/2025 11:47

You're being overly sensitive and/or judgemental. I haven't sneered at all. I was a little intimidated by it if anything. But I got over that, and have only complained about the nails.

I fully understand why someone in that setting might want to dress a bit "street".

Edited
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Again “in that setting” - bloody hell - I think you need to check your hidden/internal bias

Bluesocks39 · 06/09/2025 21:58

dressing for role? What on earth does this mean?

sexual health clinics are a vital preventative medicine part of the NHS - they have nothing to do with anything apart from ensuring that there is a clinic for people to access help and support. You seem to be implying that they are only for some kind of deviant part of the population.

I would much rather attend a clinic where they are super trained in putting coils in - rather than somewhere where it is an extra (but long dirty nails should be fed back).

Desmodici · 06/09/2025 21:48

They sometimes need to use a tenaculum to grasp the cervix to move it into position. They're basically sharp metal pincers, and they can pierce. I imagine this is what you felt.

OhNoNotSusan · 06/09/2025 21:42

bgudd · 06/09/2025 08:35

Yes, they were a doctor. It was a sexual health centre so my first impression was that she was dressing for the role.

I've filled in the online feedback form.

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dressing for the role?
what on earth do you think sexual health means?

Mh67 · 06/09/2025 21:41

You have been lucky previous times for no pain. It is painful every time I've had it changed

jimmyeatworld · 06/09/2025 11:48

bgudd · 06/09/2025 11:47

You're being overly sensitive and/or judgemental. I haven't sneered at all. I was a little intimidated by it if anything. But I got over that, and have only complained about the nails.

I fully understand why someone in that setting might want to dress a bit "street".

Edited
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lol I don’t think I’m the one being judgemental here.

Original poster
bgudd · 06/09/2025 11:47

jimmyeatworld · 06/09/2025 11:18

Whilst I absolutely agree about the nails I think you’re coming across as a total snob sneering at the ladies outfit and overall style choices.

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You're being overly sensitive and/or judgemental. I haven't sneered at all. I was a little intimidated by it if anything. But I got over that, and have only complained about the nails.

I fully understand why someone in that setting might want to dress a bit "street".

OP posts:
jimmyeatworld · 06/09/2025 11:18

bgudd · 06/09/2025 11:05

They don't. I mentioned them for context. The nails were part of an overall look which seemed unprofessional to me personally, but I have only complained about the nails.

Edited
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Whilst I absolutely agree about the nails I think you’re coming across as a total snob sneering at the ladies outfit and overall style choices.

Original poster
bgudd · 06/09/2025 11:12

She did also have very long hair, which wasn't tied back (unless she tied it back at the last minute before the procedure and untied it before I recovered). Would that be an infection risk too?

OP posts:
Original poster
bgudd · 06/09/2025 11:05

jimmyeatworld · 06/09/2025 10:58

Why do her tattoos matter op?

They don't. I mentioned them for context. The nails were part of an overall look which seemed unprofessional to me personally, but I have only complained about the nails.

OP posts:
NewGoldFox · 06/09/2025 11:00

Put a complaint in. Nails should be short and free of varnish its basic infection control.

jimmyeatworld · 06/09/2025 10:58

bgudd · 06/09/2025 08:35

Yes, they were a doctor. It was a sexual health centre so my first impression was that she was dressing for the role.

I've filled in the online feedback form.

Show quote history

Huh??

jimmyeatworld · 06/09/2025 10:58

Why do her tattoos matter op?

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 06/09/2025 10:57

No way should her nails have been long and painted in that role.
It's possible to dress fashionably (or 'street', or 'alternative', or goth-y) and keep your nails clean and trimmed.

DoubtfulCat · 06/09/2025 09:13

I used to work in an area that involved lots of contact with different medical specialisms (forensic, GUM, musculoskeletal, etc) and the GUM doctors were very much ‘street’ in the way they presented themselves. I suppose they have to really, to be more approachable to the clientele they will have who (for lifestyle and other reasons) may be wary of authority and suits.

But I don’t think you’re being unreasonable- long nails don’t sound appropriate at all for a healthcare setting.

Original poster
bgudd · 06/09/2025 08:51

mamagogo1 · 06/09/2025 08:42

Was it a private centre run on behalf of the nhs - I’ve never seen a directly employed doctor with long and/or painted nails, and most wear neutral clothing lets say, my gp is usually in a seasalt jersey dress or similar

Nope. It was an NHS service at a community health centre.

OP posts:
mamagogo1 · 06/09/2025 08:42

Was it a private centre run on behalf of the nhs - I’ve never seen a directly employed doctor with long and/or painted nails, and most wear neutral clothing lets say, my gp is usually in a seasalt jersey dress or similar

Original poster
bgudd · 06/09/2025 08:35

TuesdaysAreBest · 06/09/2025 08:19

100% sure they were a doctor? Either way, I would raise it as a complaint. So unsanitary.

Yes, they were a doctor. It was a sexual health centre so my first impression was that she was dressing for the role.

I've filled in the online feedback form.

OP posts:
CeciliaDuckiePond · 06/09/2025 08:24

I will never forget a contact lens appointment I had in 1990 - in those days I had rigid gas permeable lenses and the fit had to be checked - the dispenser had ridiculously long, albeit natural nails - similar to attached image. Having those fishing around my eyeballs still makes me shudder when I think of it.

Surely doctors who do this should have short fingernails?
TuesdaysAreBest · 06/09/2025 08:19

100% sure they were a doctor? Either way, I would raise it as a complaint. So unsanitary.

Londonrach1 · 06/09/2025 08:06

As someone who works for the NHS we not allowed long nails and certainly not painted. I never see any gps or anyone who works in the NHS with long painted nails.

SomeLikeitSnot · 06/09/2025 08:05

She will have inserted her fingers at the start of the procedure as generally you do a bimanual examination before you insert the speculum and do the coil.
she will have worn gloves (hopefully!) but I agree nails can be painful. I do coil fittings and occasionally I notice my nails are getting long and make sure I file them down.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 06/09/2025 08:03

Yes, of course.
Carers have to have short, clean, unpainted nails.
I see a lot of consultants and pediatric doctors with DS. I have never noticed any of them wearing nail polish, always neat nails.
Hope you feel better soon.

Destiny123 · 06/09/2025 08:03

bgudd · 06/09/2025 07:56

I don't know - she gave me instructions on how to use my finger to check if the coil is in place, so I assume she had to use her fingers to insert it. How would she do it otherwise?

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It's inserted using an applicator device not using the drs fingers, could easily also have been caught by the speculum hinge

Although they may do a vaginal exam before hand to determine which direction the womb is facing (they didn't when I had mine done)

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Bloodyscarymary · 06/09/2025 07:59

During my induction one of the midwives was super rough (managed to make the ear thermometer temp check hurt) and had long fake nails. I genuinely opted for a c-section the next day in part because I was afraid I would have her again overnight and she would do a cervical examination with her horrible long talons 🤣