Im going to the Doc. for a pap smear.....?

Question

Its my first one and my kind of nervous and embarrassed. Any advice to calm my nerves? How to prepare for one?

Answer 1

Re: embarrassment...... don't be. Your doctor has done many and seen women young and old.

Re: calm your nerves...... remember that he's a doctor and not a pervert. Pap smears are necessary for the rest of your life and, as with everything else, the first time is always the most difficult.

Re: preparing.......... Have a shower and clean yourself well 'down there'. Make sure you don't have to use the bathroom when you arrive for the appointment. You will have to remove your 'bottoms' and put your feet up on stirrups. The doctor will also insert a metal object, sort of like 2 spoons to 'open' you up a bit. It won't hurt but it might feel cold and weird. He/She will then take a little 'smear', which won't hurt. It will only take a couple of minutes. Close your eyes and remember to breathe!

Answer 2

Your nerves and embarassment are all normal, since you are preparing to do something new, and it involves putting yourself in an exposed position with somebody you don't really know. To prepare yourself for the exam, wear some clothing that is loose and easily removed, like a sweat suit, and socks. Shower and shave your legs and underarms the night before. Just before you are called to the exam room, go to the bathroom and empty your bladder. You will have to remove all your clothing, like as not, but you will be given a gown and sheet to cover up with. You will be able to keep your socks on, though, and that goes a ways to keeping your feet warm. Tell the doctor and nurse that this is your first exam, and they should take a bit more time to walk and talk you through things, explaining as they go so you will know what is happening and when. The doctor will insert a speculum into the vaginal canal to open it so he can see the cervix. This isn't particularly comfortable, but if you can do some deep breaths and relax your muscles, it isn't painful in the least. He will examine the cervix and use a small spatula to remove some of the cells for the smear itself. That feels a bit odd, but again, isn't painful at all. Finally he will do a manual exam, to feel the size of the uterus and the ovaries. That's why you need to have an empty bladder- a full one makes the exam nearly impossible to do and very uncomfortable for you. When he locates your ovaries, it is normal to feel a rather odd sensation in your stomach, but otherwise should also be relatively painless. Depending on the doctor, he can also do a test for colon cancer, by testing stool from the rectum. That is about the only part that really gets uncomfortable, but it's usually over by the time you realize it's being done.
After the smear , the doctor will do a breast exam. If you are unfamiliar with how to actually do a self exam, that's the time for him to show you exactly how it's done. He is primarily looking for obvious lumps, and to make sure the consistency of the tissue is normal. Depending on where you are in your cycle, you might be a bit tender, but normally it's no bother- just rather odd to have somebody prodding and rubbing on the breasts.
The doctor should be willing to take a bit extra time with you and be as gentle as possible for the exam. While the nerves and embarassment are normal, I assure you that in the exam room it's all just business and if you can look at it that way it will go far to helping you relax. That is the real key, and the hardest thing to do unfortunately. After your exam, you will be allowed to get redressed and do a quick cleanup, before you speak to the doctor about his exam and recommendations.
The exams are usually done in a businesslike manner- not so much impersonal, but usually with a routine that is done as quickly as possible because they realize it leaves you feeling so vulnerable and embarassed. I assure you the doctor won't think twice about it, Medical persons are used to looking at whatever part just in terms of what needs to be done or taken care of, without really connecting it to a person or face. It sort of a case of seeing without seeing, if you understand what I mean. I used to see all sorts of things, working in the hospital and clinics, but I rarely could connect a face or person with any of it, even when the patients themselves tried to jog my memory. Without the medical record, I just didn't connect the person with the part.
I won't say you will ever really relax or get a laid back view of the exam, but the first one is the worst because you don't know what to expect. After that, they just get to be an irritating annual exam, but nothing to stress over because you will know what to expect. So don't worry about the nerves, just tell the doctor and nurse, and I'm fairly certain things will go just fine for you. Good luck!

Answer 3

Have a good friend or close family member go with you. They don't necessarily have to be in the same room as you unless you want. They won't see anything anyway. This has helped me in the past. It doesn't matter what age you are, you never look forward to a pap. I'm past due for one and am not looking forward to it just for the simple fact that since I've had my kids my body has changed and I don't want anyone but my husband to see that. See, we all get the nerves a-going.

Answer 4

Perhaps check into getting a woman as your gyno. I've always had a woman and my mom recently switched from a male doctor to a woman, and she said she likes it much better. I dont think i could ever let a guy doctor perform those tests on me. I'd be totally nervous and feel awkward letting some old dude touch me. lol.
.... Just a thought.

Answer 5

Just try and relax, make sure you wear clothing that is easy to remove, your doctor has done this a million times,close your eyes while he is taking the test,think of anything in the world but what he is doing,it will take all of 2 minutes.

Answer 6

take a friend if ya worried bout them seeing anything they wont but just relax there will be a nurse with you if you have a male doc. and it will be all over in less then a minute promise....

Answer 7

I am a naturopathic doctor, and I can answer any questions you have at [e-mail]. Happy to help.

Answer 8

um....when you get it done just close your eyel and take a deep breath
hope this helps