pap smear...HELP?

Question

i am scared to get one and havent yet.. i am 21 and I have the feeilng like i have a disease or something wrong with me.. i am embarassed to go, please tell me how it is and if they are comforting please

Answer 1

I've had an annual pap for YEARS, and let me tell you, I dread it every single time.

HOWEVER, afterwards, I always think it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Since you've never gone before, here's what you need to know: it actually happens fairly quickly. The doctor will come in and talk with you a little bit and then leave for you to get undressed. They'll give you a gown or something to cover up with, and tell you to leave the front open (for the breast exam). When the doctor comes back, he/she will bring a nurse with them to observe (so they don't get sued). (I actually hate the nurse being there because I feel like they're just staring at me, but that's their job.)

The doctor will check your breasts while you lay down (and this is where I start staring at the ceiling and counting ceiling tiles or anything else that keeps my mind somewhat occupied). Then they'll push around on your lower abdomen. The doctor will then go to the end of the table and tell you they're going to do the pap. (They tend to talk you through it, i.e., "You're going to feel my hand now. I'm going to use the speculum now.") Basically they're in and out and a matter of seconds.

Then it's over. After you get dressed the doctor will either come back in or have you come to their office where you can talk about anything that's bothering you, birth control, etc.

Just go and get it over with. You'll be proud of yourself afterwards for being an adult about your health.

Answer 2

The pap smear is done to make sure that a woman doesn't have cervical cancer. It is a screening test for cervical cancer and it is done by the dr taking a special brush to go and get some of the cells from your cervix. They then put it on a slide that gets sent off to the lab for analysis.

They do this test at the same time that a pelvic and bimanual (where the dr uses their hands to feel the organs to make sure there are no abnormalities with shape and size).

Some spotting after a pap smear is normal because of the irritation caused by the brush and only lasts for about a day or two. If it lasts longer than that then let the dr know so that they can further evaluate the situation.

The pelvic exam and pap smear should not hurt but if it does it's for one of the following reasons:

1. being tense (it's normal to be a bit nervous because it's the first time but try to relax)

2. the dr is too rough (if they are you can ask them to stop)

3. there is something wrong with you such as can occur when there is infection going on

A really good dr will explain what they are doing as they do it.

Answer 3

When you go the first time the nurse will take your blood pressure and weight. Then they will ask you if your on any medication or have any allergies? Then the doctor ill come in an talk to you about what he/she does during a pap smear. The doctor answers any questions you might have the doctor tells you about themselves like their how many years they have been a doctor and what not. Then the doctor sends you back to the exam room and first looks at your breasts to make sure there are no lumps. Then the doctor feels your abdomon to see if there is any pain. Then they will finally do the pap smear-take a specimen and swab a bit of fluid in the cervix. They put two fingers in and they feel your abdoman. That is it. The office will send you a note or call you for the test results. It help if you and the doctor talk about things like the family, sports,marriage,boyfriends that way you feel more comfortable through the process.

Answer 4

I'm 25 and I've had two. Both were quick and easy. You go back with the nurse first and they write down your weight and blood preasure just like at the reg dr. Then you go and wait for the gyn. At some point, you have to change out of your clothes and into a little paper gown. My first one, the dr spoke with me, then left when I changed, then came back a few minutes later. The second one I had was with a different dr and that time the nurse told me to change and wait for the dr, who came about 10 minutes later. So wait until they tell you to change, they'll let you know. Then the dr will come in and you lay down and she has you put your feet on foot rests that make you spread your legs. Then she/he will poke in there a little bit, take a sample of stuff. It might hurt a bit and you might bleed, so wear a panty liner. Then they'll do a quick breast exam and leave so you can change. That's it. They'll call you or send you a letter if you have bad test results.

Answer 5

If you are sexually active you definately need a Pap Smear they are not painful a little uncomfortable but nothing that thousands of women have endured. You will also have the peace of mind knowing you don't have any STD's or other diseases, please schedule one with your family dr. or Gyn ask your friends for references, if you cannot afford this contact your local health department. Do not feel uncomfortable this is their job.

Answer 6

It truly depends on who you go to. I have been to 3 different doctors and two hurt me and the one I am with now doesn't. It all depends on their attitude and if they talk to you during the process. You should for sure go to a women...two reasons, one it's not as uncomfortable as it is with a man and two the womens hands will naturally be smaller and it won't hurt. Basically what they do is have you take off your clothes, put on this robe thingy, lay on this table with things at the end for your feet. You will be spread eagle and they take this stick like thing and put it inside of you and gather samples for testing (doesn't hurt, it's really quick) the other thing is put their fingers inside of you and feel around to make sure everything is normal (this hurt me with a man because his fingers were so big) They also (before you spread eagle) check your breast for lumps. It's not bad at all. The exam itself takes about 5 minutes. If you have been sexually active you NEED TO GO ASAP!!! Good luck to you.

Answer 7

of course its not comforting! they're actually pretty akward i had one when i was 16 that was so weird. If you don't mind strange womans fingers in you, then its ok. hah! its really not that bad i would just have to say its real uncomfortable laying on a table w/ your goods out for the doctor to see.

but its good to have them, and it'll be comforting when you get the results if all goes well.

Answer 8

It's not that bad. You've gotta remember, these doctors do this for a living, it's nothing to them. Just try not to think about it too much. And most drs. will either chat with you the whole time or have their nurse chat with you the whole time to keep your mind off it. It goes pretty quick. Good luck!

Answer 9

18 is when you are supposed to get your first pap smear. You will be ok! I promise I know you think it embaressing but they are there to do their job. They dont think your weird or anything. Your will be better offf if you get one it doesnt take that long either good luck!!

Answer 10

THEY ARE SO NOT COMFORTABLE BUT IT DOESNT HURT NO ONE LIKES THEM BUT YOU SHOULD DO IT NOT ONLY FOR UR SELF BUT FOR UR LOVE ONES WHEN U GO TO UR DOCTOR JUST LET HER KNOW HOW U FEEL IM SURE SHE WILL HELP IT MAKE A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE I HOPE U DO GO AND JUST THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE DURING THE PROCESS GOOD LUCK