Pap smear test question?

Question

I am 18 and have to go to the doctor next week for my first smear test.

I am embarassed about having to spread my legs in front of the doctor cos he will be able to see everything.

I have quite a bit of hair down there, will this get in the way and should I shave it?

I know they stick something up inside you to open you up, how big is this and how does it work (how far are you opened)?

Also, will the doctor be able to tell if I have had sex that day?

Answer 1

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm

The doctor has seen all kinds of vaginas, breasts, and uterus's. Its "just another hole" to them.

Don't worry about your pubic hair, you can be bushy or bald down there.

They put something called a speculum inside of you, it looks like a duckbill, there are different sizes but they open your vagina up enough for them to get some samples of your uterus for testing.

You should NOT have sex for two days before your pap smear. No douching either. It could affect the results of your test.

Answer 2

I know it may be a little nerve wrecking and scary the first time you get your pap smear done but there's no need to be embarassed.

Doctors have done pap smears a million times. I'm sure they don't think twice about what you look like down there and there's no need to shave lol.

A Pap smear is a test your doctor does to check for signs of cancer of the cervix. During a Pap smear, your doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix to be tested.

To take the sample, your doctor will put a instrument called a speculum into your vagina. This helps open your vagina so the sample can be taken. Your doctor will gently clean your cervix with a cotton swab and then collect a sample of cells with a small brush, a tiny spatula or a cotton swab. This sample is put on a glass slide and sent to a lab to be checked.

The doctor will probably tell you not to be alarmed when you hear a clicking noise. It's just the noise that the speculum makes when they open it up a little bit to get a better view of your cervix.

I don't remember how big a speculum is but its not that big lol.

The only tip I can really give you for during the exam is to take deep breathes and try not to tense up. I find this helps me cuz it's really uncomfortable especially when they are collecting the sample with the swab.

Oh . . and I have no idea if the doctor will be able to tell if you've had sex that same day but apparently you're not suppose to have sex within 24 hours before the exam.

GoOd luck! =)

Answer 3

You can shave the pubic hair if you want to but it won't embarrass them or offend them if you don't. They are used to seeing the hair.

As for spreading the legs open in front of the drs so that he can see everything they are used to seeing inside. This will not embarrass them either.

But before anything is done with exams you can request to speak to the dr in plainclothes first. Let the dr know how concerned you are about having this done. If the dr is really good they will take the time answer all questions you have for them.

The instrument they use to see inside your vagina is called a speculum and looks like the bill of a duck. They come in different sizes, ones that are small and designed for women that are virgins (didn't find this out til many years later after I had my first pelvic exam and pap smear at 18 oh so many years ago) and women with small pelvis, and other sizes for women who are of medium sized pelvis, and those that are a bit larger or who have had several children.

It goes up a bit in the vagina but not all the way to where it touches your uterus.

As for telling if you have had sex or not usually what they will do is ask about your sexual history as part of the exam.

A good book you can check to see if your library has that will explain this real simply as well is a book called Woman to Woman by Dr. Yvonne Thornton. This book is real easy to understand.

For sites please check out: http://www.girlshealth.gov

As for the pap smear the dr will take a special little brush to take some of the cells from the opening of your cervix that then get put on a slide and sent to the lab for analysis. The results should come back in about 2 weeks.

Also, when it comes to the exam if the dr is really good they will explain to you what they are doing as they are doing it.

Answer 4

If a male doctor is performing your smear a female nurse will be present by law.
As some of the others have said they do this every day so please try not to be embarrassed they are helping you.The speculum will be inserted into your vagina and is used to be able to get to your cervix(neck of the womb)this is where they take a sample of your cervical cells using what looks like a little brush, it only lasts a matter of minutes and is'nt painful, just slightly uncomfortable.I would avoid intercourse for at least 24 to 48 hours before because any semen in your cervix can affect the result of your smear and you may then be recalled back to have it repeated.You dont need to shave just have a bath or shower before.Try to relax easier said than done but take some deep breaths and talk to your nurse they are usually pretty good and try to take your mind off it.I find a good sense of humour helps during this procedure, before you know it it will be over and you will wonder why you worried in the first place.I am pleased you are going for your smear so many women ignore their invite and then years later suffer the consequences.You will get the results in about 6 weeks after(if you are in the UK).Good Luck.

Answer 5

1. A male doctor can not examine you without a female present.
2. They do this for a living, they are used seeing this part of the anatomy and realise that women have bodily hair.
3. A metal clamp is inserted into the vagina. It is well lubricated and opened up slightly, when in place, to make it easier to insert the instrument with which they take the sample. (It does not hurt)
4. The "smear" is taken from the neck of the cervix. Usually this does not hurt. But sometimes afterwards you might experience some discomfort or soreness like a mild period pain.
5. If you are still aroused from a sexual act, then probably.
Welcome to womanhood. It really is a lot less worse than you might think. Doctors, medical staff are just like other people. If their main concern was the state of your pubic hair they wouldn't doing medicine they'd have become beauty therapists.
So remeber when they say relax do your best girl.

Answer 6

First off, NOTHING to be embarrassed about. Trust me, we have seen it all in health care.

You wont need to shave, just bathe as you normally would. Yes the doctor will be able to know if you have had sex lately.

The 'thing' that opens you up looks more scary than it is. It can be a little uncomfortable, but by no means painful. This being your first time you're going to believe its going to be worse than it is.

There needs to be a female present when you have it done. Either a nurse, your mom or best friend. That is normal procedure. If one isnt in the room, make sure you ask for one to be present.

They will take a sample to be put into a lab for testing, as well as do an internal. Its quick and painless... nothing to fear I promise.

Pap smears are VERY important... make sure you get them done every 2 years.... 14 days after the 1st day of your period.

Answer 7

Don't worry about the hair, it won't get in the way.
The doctor does this regularly so don't be nervous, there will be a nurse in the room with you also.
I'm not sure about the sex question, and I'm not sure if it matters, so it's probably best not to have sex that day.
They use a speculum, and they have different sizes. It simply opens it up enough for them to get a sample, it is slightly uncomfortable but very quick.

Answer 8

No need to shave. The thing they stick inside is called a speculum, it's a metal instrument and they sqeeze the handles to open you up, I hate that bit personally it feels like you are stretched to bursting. They also put something inside through the speculum to scrape cells off of you. It will hurt a bit. I think they will be able to see if there is *** inside you, so maybe use a condom.

Answer 9

you dont have to have a male doctor do this - you can book in with the nurse..and she can do it for you.

you are not supposed to have sex before a smear test as it can interfere with the results. dont worry though..its soon over & done with and it is essential you have one done on a regular basis for your own health.

p.s. you dont have to shave!!

Answer 10

well the hair isnt a problem and the thing they put in you is a speculem and they have different sizes also i dont know if the dr can tell if you had sex but they wont care nothing they havent seen b4 i have had many paps in my time