my gyno keeps telling me that I need one, but I am to scared to have one. Can anyone help me?
2007-03-20 16:05:50 · 16 answers · asked by hello 1 in Health ➔ Women's Health
They don't hurt. At worst they are a little uncomfortable. If they hurt, say "Stop, that hurts". The doctor will stop, honest. I've had five gynecologists over the years, and only once have I had a painful pap... and that includes the first one, when I was a teen and a virgin.
Obviously, a pelvic exam and Pap smear is nobody's idea of a good time. However, it takes less than five minutes, and things that hurt much more include:
Bad sex
Removing a dry tampon
Getting cervical cancer, which is highly treatable if caught early but was a big killer before the Pap was invented.
Some gynecologists are willing to prescribe tranquilizers for nervous patients like yourself. If not, just take deep breaths, and concentrate on relaxing your vaginal muscles. It'll seriously be over before you know it.
2007-03-20 16:19:05 · answer #1 · answered by MissA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your friends are having the pelvic exam and pap smear hurt it's either because of three possible reasons:
1. They were nervous (which is understandable) and tensed up (which is why it's important to relax)
2. The dr doing the exam was too rough (and if this is the case you can tell the dr to stop)
3. Or there is something wrong such as an infection
Otherwise there should be no pain.
The reason for the pelvic exam is to check your uterus, ovaries, cervix and such to make sure there are no abnormalities such as masses like a cyst or cancer as some of the other posters said. The way they see in to the pelvic area is with a special instrument called a speculum. When it's turned to its side it looks a lot like the bill of a duck.
When my dr opens the speculum I don't feel a pinching sensation at all, I get more of a sound like my dr is hammering something.
The next part of the exam is called a bimanual exam which is where they feel the organs with their hands both from the inside and out to make sure there is no abnormality when it comes to shape size such as if they are enlarged (like when someone is swollen). There may be a bit of pressure for about a minute but that's it. If this part of the exam hurts that also would fit one of the three things I listed above.
The pap smear is just a screening tool to scrape off some of the cells of your cervix with a little brush, then the sample is put on a slide, and then sent to a lab. The pap smear is just a screening tool for cervical cancer. This kind of cancer is one of the easiest to treat if caught very early.
You may notice a bit of spotting for a day or two after the pap smear but this is normal because of the area having been a bit irritated by the brush used. If this spotting continues past a couple of days then let your dr know.
But pls let the dr know that you are nervous and scared about the exam so that they can try to help you with any other questions that you may have.
Talk to your mom as well because she may have some additional info that can be of help to you.
2007-03-21 06:50:04 · answer #2 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are at that age when you need to start having you annual pap tasts (especially f you're sexually active). It does hurt a little; I'm not going to lie to you, but is really not as bad as you think. You have probably gotten yourself all psyched up and expecting the worst. You will feel some discomfort and a pinching sensation, but it does not last that long. Once the Dr. is finished the discomfort will end. Keep in mind how important these tests are. A small amount of pain now can save you from havng a lot of pain later. Oh and in my experience - female gynos hurt more than males.
2007-03-20 23:29:02 · answer #3 · answered by mindy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok I am 19 too and just had my first one 2 months ago. I was terrified too. I hated the idea of having some stranger staring at me down there...no one has seen me that up close. Anyways some people on here are sayin it doesn't hurt..YES it can hurt for SOME people. The speculum felt like a pinching and i didn't like it when they opened it up. And it hurt me when they scraped my cervix. More pinching. And then after the exam I had cramps, kinda like period cramps, but my dr. said that can happen. Yeah it's uncomfortable but once it's over you're sooo happy to not go back..for a year anyways.
2007-03-20 23:37:21 · answer #4 · answered by Taylor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gynecological exam can be somewhat uncomfortable, but I bet if you go to a female OB-GYN and let her know your fears she will take extra care to make you comfortable.
The whole point of regular gynecologic exams for young women is to detect diseases like herpes, chlamydia, and believe it or not, cervical cancer. Yes, cervical cancer is the result of a STD - the same virus that causes warts. You can get cervical cancer even if you don't have warts. Thankfully cervical cancer is fairly slow growing so if you get checkups every year then it will be caught when it can be removed and cured very easily. If you do not get checked, then you can have cancer that eventually spreads and can only be cured by removal of your uterus, ovaries, and other pelvic organs. The discomfort of that particular operation would far exceed the most uncomfortable gynecologic exam.
Also, you'll be checked for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and if those go untreated you can infect other people as well as lose your fertility!
Much of your discomfort comes from the expectation that it will hurt. It is not so bad that it cannot be withstood - but it is not something most women want to do every day either. If you relax during the exam it will not be as uncomfortable as if you are not relaxed.
2007-03-20 23:15:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it may be uncomfortable to have the speculum inserted, the metal thing that seperates you. Ask for the smallest size though, not bad, you can make it more uncomfortable by fighting it/ contracting your muscles down there, but once it is in, no prob. and the pap will feel kindof pinching because they are scrapping the a few of the inside cells. Don't worry, no sweat. But I would let them know that it is your first time, and you feel uncomfortable with the whole situation, they are used to it and know how to help people out in those situations.
2007-03-20 23:15:24 · answer #6 · answered by mckenzd0313 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie, it's not that bad really. I had my first pelvic exam at age 18...it's not fun, but it's more awkward than anything else. There may be some minor discomfort but I've never had actual pain (just a quick "ouch" maybe if the speculum pinched a bit).
To take care of yourself, it's well worth a few mins of spread legs on a table. Have a friend or your Mom go with you and they can stand by your head and talk to you while it's being done.
Don't be scared of the exam...be glad you are doing the smart and mature thing by getting yourself checked...and have it done yearly. You owe it to yourself to take care of you. âº
2007-03-20 23:12:34 · answer #7 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with all these other ladies. It isnt painful. It might be uncomfortable because of the situtation. But a lot of doctors talk to you about the weather and interests and it almost seems like you are chatting with a good friend. You hardly notice the exam. All you feel is maybe a tiny scratch feeling when they swab your cervix. The important thing is to relax. When you are tense it is harder to do the exam.
2007-03-21 02:24:40 · answer #8 · answered by jenpmar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal to be scarred of the unknown. I was terrified the first time i had a pap. My doctor made me feel comfortable by explaining the process and letting me know what she was going to do and why before she did it. I would have to say that these exams should not hurt, they mostly feel uncomfortable. Ofcourse, if you are tense and do not relax it might cause a little pain. Remember, these exams are for our own good, for your health.
2007-03-20 23:16:58 · answer #9 · answered by luckystar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it.
It can be awkward to be naked in front the doctor/nurse, but you get a lovely paper gown and paper sheet to cover yourself with. They've seen it all and will only be looking at you as patient, so don't worry about it.
The swab can be unpleasant, but it only lasts for two seconds. Then it's over and you are good to go for a year. Worrying about it and tensing up may make it worse. Just try to relax and don't let your friends scare you.
2007-03-20 23:45:59 · answer #10 · answered by Gidget 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋