what's it like? girls only please!!!!?

Question

i have to get a pap test and i'm nervous. does it hurt? what do they do exactly? is it ok to feel uncomfortable or should i feel fine?

Answer 1

Here is what I tell other friends....

Take your hand and lightly scratch it with the other hand.....

Mostly it is just "Uncomfortable"

No real pain, just uncomfortable....

My advice....wear socks. I always wear socks! They make me feel like I am not "naked" and I find that when my Dr. (she is the best Dr. ever....and I am SUUUPPPPPPPEEEEERRRRR modest even with my husband...how embarrassing is that) is carrying on a conversation with me I relax a little more.

They use one of those open you up things, and scratch you lightly, pull the opener and the swab out and then you are done....less than 3 minutes

Answer 2

It's uncomfortable, but it's not painful (if it is, tell your doctor "Ouch! Do something differently!"). And it is *quick*... less than five minutes.

In a pap smear, the doctor will leave the room while you take your clothes off and get into a paper gown. They'll come back, usually accompanied by a nurse. You'll lie on your back on the exam table, scoot your butt down to the very end, and put your feet into stirrups. They'll shine a bright light on your crotch, and you will feel silly.

The doctor will insert a lubricated speculum, which is a device that gently pushes the walls of your vagina apart so they can see your cervix (the border between your vagina and your uterus). If it's your first time getting a Pap, mention this, and they'll use a narrower speculum. The doctor will take a good look around and see if they can spot anything out of the normal, and then they take a swab of your cervix with a thing like a long Q-tip. This swab will be sent off to a lab where they will look for abnormal cell growth. They'll pull out the speculum, and insert a gloved finger to see if they can feel any abnormalities. Some doctors may also insert a finger into your anus to see if there's anything going on in there, but in my experience that's not part of the "typical" exam. It really depends on the doc. They'll leave the room, and you can get dressed.

Not too much fun, but nothing to be afraid of. It's normal to feel a bit nervous before your first time... just try to relax your muscles before the exam, as the tightness can make it a bit more painful.

Answer 3

You will strip down and wear a robe. Then you will lie down on the examining table with your feet up in stirrups (you will look more or less like you're giving birth.) Most clinics, there will be a paper drape over our lap for some modesty.
The doctor will shine a light where the sun normally does not shine. The light will feel warm there and it almost feels as if you wet yourself.
The doctor will then insert a device in your vagina that will spread it open so she can see what she is doing. It feels weird and there's some clicking noise as she adjusts it but it doesn't hurt. It's also covered with KY Jelly so it slides in easily. Then she will take long swabs to scrape the insides of your vagina for tests that she will run later. This often causes discomfort. I usually feel a prickly, cramping sensation where menstrual cramps usually happen.
When she is done with that, she loosens the device in your vagina and carefully pulls it out.

I hope this helps ease some fears. If it helps, ask your mom or a friend to come along and hold your hand.

Answer 4

It does not hurt, but it is a little uncomfortable.

Make sure you let the doctor that you have never had a pap test done before, and they will talk you through the whole process.

I know it is easier said than done, but trying to relax is the key. I have included a few links which explain the process of having a pap test.

Good luck

Answer 5

The instrument they use is usually really cold, and that was always the most uncomfortable part. It never hurt. Just feels funny.

As for what to expect...

Someone will bring you to a room and ask you to remove all of your clothes and put on a gown. My doctor also gives me a paper sheet thing to cover my legs with, not sure if all do. If you have a male gynecologist and feel uncomfortable, don't worry, the nurse (or a female stand-in) can be requested to stay.

When the doctor comes back in, he / she will ask you to lie down, and will pull out the metal footholders on the bed (stirrups). You'll scoot your bottom down to the end and place your feet in those. The doctor will put some lubricant on his / her fingers and feel around inside gently. No cause for concern here, they are just feeling for anything abnormal.

Next they'll use a metal instrument to clamp your cervix to obtain a swab culture. It's about 6 inches long give or take, and small around. It generally doesn't hurt, just feels really cold going in, uncomfortable when it clicks, and tickles a little when he /she starts swabbing around the cervix. It takes about a minute, no sweat.

Next he or she might press around your stomach area with their hands, again feeling for anything abnormal. They might also do a breast exam in the same manner.

Then it's pretty much over. They'll grant you privacy to get dressed, and a towel to clean up with. Bring a panty liner, you may leak the lubricant they used for a bit after.

Of course you can go back to work afterward, and resume your daily activities. You may not get the results of your test right away, or at all. No news is good news.

Good luck. -)

Answer 6

hi vera a pap test should make you a little nervous but just think about the fact that this is the best for you and let it be a doctor you feel comfortable with or a woman doctor you can also request that someone you feel comfortable with be in the room by you try not to think about it too much youll give youself a headache itll be okay :)

Answer 7

Heh, I have my examination coming up next week as well.

Personally, (not to be a bummer) but I absolutely hate them. My cervix tends to bleed really easy, so when she does the actual smear, I tend to get a cramping sensation for a while after the test.

And mainly, though, I just feel uncomfortable with a stranger putting a cold tube up my you-know-what. Personally, I like to set aside time afterwards or set my appointment for the end of the day, being that I feel crappy afterwards.

Answer 8

No it doesn't hurt, and yes it's ok to feel uncomfortable at first, but you'll see its nothing to be uncomfortable about, those doctors do this ALL the time, it's their job. They take a swab of the inside. If your getting your full annual exam they do a breast exam as well. They'll check your vagina and usually feel the ovaries also. Please don't be nervous, just relax.

Answer 9

When i first had my pap smear i was nervous too, i was like omg is it gonna hurt? are they gonna cut me? well some of my friends had already had a pap smear and they started screaming and crying...i didnt...i didnt feel anything. The doctor will put 2 of his fingers in you and feel your ovaries. then put this metal thing with a light on it (with jelly on it) in your vagina. Then he will use that to take a sample of you...i didnt feel anythin...so dont be nervous. just relax ok? if anything the doctor goes slow. he wont just shove it in.

Answer 10

every woman will tell you it feels uncomfortable. afterall, what's to like about laying on the exam table with your legs in stirrups spread out for the world to see (or at least the Dr). It's okay to be nervous, but it doesn't really hurt. They slide small instruments up your vagina, and it feels rather strange, it might poke a little but nothing that's really painful. Just bite your tongue and you'll get through it, we all do.