2006-08-22 14:51:38 · 10 answers · asked by Brizzle 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
ok, you dont need any medical procedure but if you are a menstrating female you need a pap every year regardless of age or weather or not you have had sex.
pap's detect cervical cancer and once you hit puberity you are at risk, but if you use a hormonal method of birth control (like the pill patch or shot) it puts you at an even higher risk and makes paps more important.
a pap usually takes less than two minutes, they rub your cervix with a long cotton swab and smear it on a slide that will be sent to the lab for analisis, thats it.
BTW a pap only tests for cancer it does not test for STD infection as some posts have misstated, although a test for those is sometimes given at the same time as a pap it is a seperate test
I appologise if I am comming down strong about the importance of pap smears but I had my first cervical cancer scare at 13 years old (6 years before I had any sexual activity) and could have been infertal or needed a hysterectomy if it hadnt been caught early (thank you mom for taking me to the gyn the first time I had a period, if it wasn't for you I might never have been able to be having this baby)
2006-08-22 15:36:31 · answer #1 · answered by tpuahlekcip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A "pap" is only a small part of a pelvic exam, which is what you are thinking of.
Depending on your age and sexual history, your doctor or nurse may require you to have a pelvic exam before giving you the pill.
The actual up on the table part of the office visit will be ten or fifteen minutes. You'll be asked to undress completely, and put on a paper gown.
For the exam, they will insert a speculum, a special device to open the vagina so they can look at your cervix. This is where the "pap" comes in. The provider will scrape a small sample of cells from your cervix. Then the speculum is removed, and the provider will insert a gloved finger into the vagina in and press on the abdomen to fell the size, shape and position of the uterus and ovaries. There should also be a breast exam
Please visit tellsomeone.hpv.com to learn more about why pap tests are so important. It could save your life.
2006-08-22 15:05:08 · answer #2 · answered by Tina K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you do. It doesn't take too long. It's pretty embarrassing, but they do the same thing to you constantly when you're pregnant. One time is better than many times. You will lay down on the examining table and put your feet in those stirrups down at the end of the bed. They'll have you slide down so that your knees are up. They will insert a tool that will just hold you open a little bit and then they take a swab. It's kind of like a large Q-tip. Then you're done. They'll send the swab off to a lab to check for any signs of cancer I believe. I'm not sure exactly what all they check for. I think it is cancer though, because the pill can increase your risk of certain types of cancers and they don't want to put you on them if you already have it. Also I believe you should have your pap done halfway between your periods. It can read wrong if you're too close to your period. You shouldn't douche before it either as that will cause an incorrect reading.
2006-08-22 15:02:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you need a pap test, the gyno will want to give you a pap to make sure nothing is going on wrong down there. A pap test is very quick, you lay on your back and scoot down so your legs are open and your buttocks are at the end of the table. Then they insert a spectulum (looks like a silver duck bill) into your vagina. This helps to open it. Then they grab a little thing that looks like a mascara wand and scrape some cells off the wall of your vagina. Then its done and they pull the spectulum back out. It doesn't hurt but it is a little uncomfortable. They may also do a breast exam.
2006-08-22 14:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by supermom05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could probably get away with not having the pap test, but you really should have it done, especially if you have a family history. It only takes a minute or two to take the sample, and they test for chlamydia and gonorrhea along with cervical cancer and the breast exam.
2006-08-22 15:04:00 · answer #5 · answered by Liza 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't need a pap. A doctor cannot force you to take one. Pretty mauch it takes like 5-10 mins. They shove a platic thing inside you then take a swab sample from your insides, then your done.
2006-08-22 14:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you do, it only takes a few minutes and the insert a thing up you puss and it opens up a little bit and the put a q tip up the and rub it around and then it is done and they take it out also they do an internal where they put fingers up there and punch on your ovaries it isn't the most comfortable thing but id you are having sex or planning on it then you will be fine.
2006-08-22 14:57:41 · answer #7 · answered by LOLO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a good idea to but you dont have to. What they do is a pelvic exam they stick a circular object into your vagina and swab it for bacteria and such. It does sting a little but not much to complain about. It also detects for stds.
2006-08-25 16:36:16 · answer #8 · answered by Cassie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course you do!!!!!! What do they do? Stick a hook up your nose, pull out your brain, and enbalm you. If you're asking these types of questions here, and not your doctor, You shouldn't be having sex with anybody anyway. That way, there's NO chance you can reproduce.
2006-08-22 14:58:43 · answer #9 · answered by dirtmerchant_12b 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, not long.
2006-08-26 08:50:03 · answer #10 · answered by nutty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋