People's pain tolerances seem to vary a lot for this, according to my electrologist. I was about average, and could last a 30 minute to 45 minute session. Some people could manage over an hour with no EMLA cream, whereas some could barely manage one probing. EMLA cream is patchy in my experience - it can numb some areas, but others are still painful, perhaps comparable to having a quick injection. Surprisingly on the scrotum it hurt the least and hurt the most in the perineum area. It wasn't easy but the thought of surgery that got me through having two years of it (it took a LONG time for me). If you have surgery at Charing Cross and are circumcised or not well endowed, it's very likely you'll need it. (If circumcised, almost certain, for CX). Now post op, I can say it is worth it and more 🙂