my doctor mentioned a pap test or something when i turn 18?Is that when they check if your a virgin? I am as of right now nervous. But i am guessing every girl has taken it, and i should be nervous but it is embarrising getting naked infront of a doctor or nurse. How do i avoid weird silences!
2007-02-13 07:39:23 · 13 answers · asked by madina 4 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I'm sorry i should have said say men might not understand. I just didn't want to get any stupid remarks. Thanks for all the answers!
2007-02-14 04:27:34 · update #1
A pap smear will not tell if you are a virgin or not, but it will let the doctor know if there is anything wrong internally--ie, a warning for cancer. The doctor will leave the room while you undress, you will have a "robe" to put on, and then they will come back in. The pap test is performed with something like a little comb that will take tissue off of the inner walls of your cervix--it doesn't hurt, but might be a little uncomfortable--just a little scrape. It is all normal and can be a good thing in the long run, health wise.
2007-02-13 07:46:48 · answer #1 · answered by too_simple_to_be_a_rose 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No the Dr. typically will want to do a pap test to get a baseline for when you become sexually active. It also is used to check for abnormal cell growth to find cancer at it's earliest and most treatable stage.
Yes, it will be embarrassing to wear nothing but a flimsy paper gown, but think about it... Half the population has a penis and the other has a vagina. As far as the Dr. is concerned, he is just doing his job. Nothing personal, but you are just another vagina.
Don't worry too much about weird silences, the Dr. is usually pretty good about talking or if he's like mine, I get to look at beautiful posters of exotic places on the ceiling while he does his thing.
Hope this helps.
2007-02-13 07:48:30 · answer #2 · answered by biggirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry dear, But I am a Doctor and this is common, So I suggest that you find a female Gynecologist and feel comfortable. I would not feel slighted in the least if one of my female patients wanted to see a female for Gynecology. But If you are a virgin I must warn you that there is no indication for a pap test yet at age 18! If you are sexually active then you need a pap test every year to examine for cervical cancer. There is a lot of argument about the utility of a baseline Pap in the medical literature folks, so ask your Gyn if it is truly necessary to do with a virgin and ask them to site their sources!
2007-02-13 07:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by cuban friend 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually you should get pap smears every year once you start having sex. And you will be nervous and feel uncomfertable your first time but there won't be silence you Dr. will talk to you and ask you questions. Choose a man or woman which ever makes you more comfertable. Hope this helped a lil but if your are sexually active you should get a pap smear soon!!
2007-02-13 08:47:43 · answer #4 · answered by tjmommy10 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a pap test is not intended to check if you're a virgin. it's main purpose is to collect cells from your cervix to be sure they are normal. very often you can also be checked for stds.
a responsible doctor will explain the entire procedure to you, what it's purpose is and also ask questions about how you're feeling and about your sexual activity, if any. it's always best to answer completely honestly for the sake of your reproductive health. the whole procedure only lasts a few minutes and it's normal to feel a little uncomfortable.
don't worry about the doctor seeing you naked because the parts of you not being examined will be covered and doctors have seen it all. to them it's really no different than looking in your ears or testing your reflexes.
as for the weird silences, i always just close my eyes and think of a song or make a mental list of things i need to do that day. taking care of your health is one of the best things you will ever do for yourself. you'll do fine.
2007-02-13 07:53:09 · answer #5 · answered by jbslass 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
aout has it right, and you don't get "naked" in front of the doctor, you wear a gown, and the nurse is right with you the whole time. And it isn't up to you to make conversation during the procedure, the nurse and the doctor do that. Just relax, follow instructions and get it done, the testing is very important. It is the baseline from which all future testing will be compared. It has nothing to do with your virginity.
2007-02-13 07:46:52 · answer #6 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi
A pap smear checks the cells on your cervix and isnt anything to do with making sure your a virgin or anything.
The reason we do them is because the delicate cells that line the uterus become exposed into the vagina when the cervix opens a bit after puberty, becuase they are easily damaged by the vaginal acidic secretions they try to metamorphesise into similar cells that line the vagina, very thick and robust cells.
if you think of a mole on your skin, this is just normal skin cells that change their structure. we know that normally they are fine but occasionally they become cancer. This is the same with the cervix, any cell changing regulalry from their normal structure theoretically can become a cancer which is why we do them because we know they change on a regular asis.
saying that though even abnormal cells most of the time will sort them selves out without any sort of treatm,ent.
Hope this helps x x x
2007-02-13 07:45:50 · answer #7 · answered by kate s 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This has nothing to do with virginity, so get that one out of you head entirely.
A pelvic exam, including a pap smear, is an essential part of every woman' physical. Ignoring this part of your exam can kill you.
It's not about silences, awkward or otherwise. It's about your life.
2007-02-13 07:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't worry about it. It's just to establish that your reproductive health is ok. It's a little uncomfortable but not painful or anything. If you are uncomfortable with a male doctor you can always request a femal doctor, which is what I do!
2007-02-13 08:37:46 · answer #9 · answered by Kate 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A pap test is done by a gynecologist. That's when they take a smear from your vagina and test it for any diseases. It's effective in finding out if you have some common women's problems and even cancer
2007-02-13 07:43:10 · answer #10 · answered by antek_005 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋