I think they should be used on any man who seeks a prescription for viagara ... bend over !

All someone has to do is claim the technician "moved it unnecessarily in a sexually suggestive manner."

The bill passed 65-32.

I keep hearing big talk about the VA governor, Bob McDonnell (who will be signing this horror) might likely be Romney's pick for VEEP.

To force that on a woman would be criminal.

Of course, considering back surgeries and other things, these types of procedures are a walk in the park comparatively speaking.

Must be the technicians or doctors that make the difference.

Women should not be forced to have these or any other procedures that are medically unnecessary before having a legal procedure.

Perhaps the reasons for the test dictate the penetration, the duration and the movement of the probe. Pap smear is over in a flash....uncomfortable but no biggie to me.

People have different pain tolerances and some people haven't experienced some levels a pain to make a comparison.

May be that the invasive ultrasound is conducted differently depending on the reason, as you suggested.

And that is the crux of the matter, a "legal procedure".

"The point it to humiliate the women (who are already suffering with their painful decision) as much as possible."

Exactly... and exactly. This is a LEGAL PROCEDURE that religion has no business interfering in!

This entire politically and religiously charged thing just gets weirder and worse by the minute.

Cynical in Cleveland

That would be only if they can present a valid photo ID, with details on height, weight, hair color, and DOB, so that the poll watchers can verify that they are who they say they are.

Still got it wrong. This requirement is nothing but intimidation and harassment.

I'll someone threatened to sue them for rape if they proceeded with the bill as it was.

As others have said, in this instance it's about harassment and punishment.

When being used as intended, it provides imaging of the pelvis (mainly the uterus) that is not possible with an external ultrasound. Typical reasons are to find abnormal pelvic growths (tumors, fibroids, polyps, etc.), to determine the source of pelvic pain, unexplained vaginal bleeding or abnormal menstrual flow.

At the very least, it's physically uncomfortable because you typically have to drink a large amount of water beforehand to push the organs into the optimal position for imaging. It might or might not be physically painful depending on the specifics of the patient's body. It is also a very invasive test.

Psychologically, it's a completely different matter. It varies from person to person or even for the same person on different days. Any gynecological exam can go from ok to horrible in an instant, and the patient may not even understand why. The annual exam and pap test are usually pretty quick. The ultrasound takes longer, so there's more opportunity for something to trigger the creep factor. I've had other exams that bothered me more, but I can easily see how this procedure could be a huge problem even with a skilled technician. I'm find it hard to imagine how a woman who had ever been raped or sexually abused could handle it at all.

Pure denigration and humiliation. That's what it's built for related to this conversation, and for no other reason.

For you gentlemen, imagine having that thing coated with cold KY jelly and inserted up to the handle into your anus. How do you think that might make you feel?

"meow"