Pap Smears...?

Question

Hi.

I am 17... I will be turning 18 next year and I know that when you turn 18, you are meant to have a pap smear - right?

Can you tell me a bit about them, like I know the process and stuff but just wanted to hear other people's experiences of them? Do they hurt?

How can you stop anxiety?

And if you aren't sexually active do you HAVE to have one when you turn 18??

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance. :)

Hi.

I am 17... I will be turning 18 next year and I know that when you turn 18, you are meant to have a pap smear - right?

Can you tell me a bit about them, like I know the process and stuff but just wanted to hear other people's experiences of them? Do they hurt?

How can you stop anxiety?

And if you aren't sexually active do you HAVE to have one when you turn 18??

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance. :)




Edit: Thank you very much for all of your help. :)
I have had the vaccine thing - well one of them will get the rest later this year. :)

Thanks again.

Oops.

Sorry, I am new to this lol... Ignore that double question.

Answer 1

Yes, it is necessary to have a pap smear even if the woman is not sexually active at 18. I am a 35 year old virgin and I still get my pap smear every year.

As for how the pap smear is done they take a special brush and put in the opening of the cervix to take some of the cells that then get put on a slide to be sent to the lab.

They then send the cells off to the lab to make sure that there are no abnormalities (meaning no precancerous or cancerous cells). You should get the results in about 2 weeks.

As for how to stop the anxiety the best thing to do is let the dr know ahead of time that you are nervous about the exam. You can also request that this appt be done in plainclothes to begin with.

When it comes to the exam just try to relax and one way to do that is think about something that makes you happy like your pet if you have one or a place you would like to go visit on vacation.

The pap smear itself should not hurt but you may notice a bit of spotting for about 2 days afterward and then clear up. This is caused by the irritation of the brush being used to take the cells from your cervix.

If it does hurt at all let the dr know this (I just had to do this recently and my dr had to check to make sure I didn't have an infection going on that would have caused the pain I had when I had my pap smear done 3 weeks ago).

If you have any other questions for me please feel free to e-mail or IM me away from the site at any time. My e-mail is: [e-mail]

Answer 2

Well actually you suppose to start getting pap smears yearly after puberty, Since Pap Smears Also Detect other issues such as cervical cancer,yeast infections,Etc..Its not just required for sexual health but overall health.
There's really nothing much to the process, its usually over in 3-5 minutes...Since You Never had one at all the only thing you will feel is totally uncomfortable, since a stranger will be messing with your private parts...but it's nothing you can't handle I promise that.Everything will go smooth just be ready a try something relaxing to help you not be so nervous or check on the Internet for that procedure and pics so you can get a visual understanding and learn more about it,After that you'll be a step ahead and not as worried since you would know what to expect : )

Answer 3

From what I understand, pap smears are not required unless you are sexually active or have ever been sexually active, and then they are required every 2 years routinely or as advised by your GP. A pap tests for cervical cancer caused by the HPV (human papilloma virus) which is transmitted sexually, as well as other abnormalities. I'm not sure where you are, but there is a vaccine for this virus available in australia which you can have if you have not yet been sexually active and it is funded by the government. It's best to speak to your doctor regarding this, but essentially, if you do have to have a pap, then anxiety is the major hurdle. Just remember, health professionals don't compare what they see, they are only focussed on what they have to achieve, and that is, a clinically accurate sample. As for the actual procedure, it's uncomfortable, but not painful, and much more tolerable than the alternative. The instruments they use are different sizes, and most are disposable (the ones that aren't are sterilized and safe for reuse). Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Pap smears are very helpful they are giving to u to make sure if ur body is ok. First u strip off all ur clothes then u lay on this bed and u sread ur legs and u are goin to feel some pressure on the in side but after u have it u will be cool be blessed

Answer 5

Well dear, it is very important to have regular Pap smear check..it is a test that are done for tracing out many disease that occurs in woman..Doing Pap smear test is must for woman after age 18...it is not a painful test, just your gyno takes the samples from your cervix and analysis them in laboratory, to tell u are disease free or not...I think, as you wish to have sex after age 18, well nice that you remained vergin till now, you must have Pap smear test along with sexual activity...as there are lot of sexually trasmitted diseases (STD, aslo checked in Pap smear)....you must have regular gyno check up now...

Answer 6

You definitely need to have one whether you are sexually active or not. My first one was uncomfortable- mostly because I was embarassed and did not know what to expect. They aren't painful though. make sure you see a DR you trust- most people prefer a woman. Just let them know how you are feeling- they should be able to put you at ease.

Answer 7

You definitely need to have one, even if you aren't sexually active. They don't hurt at all, it is just a little uncomfortable.

Answer 8

hon, it will be ok, just relax, the doctor will know it is your first pap, it can be a little uncomfortable, but, nothing big

Answer 9

i have to get one i think i'll go next week. Anyway do not sweat it it is just to see if your ok.

Answer 10

not if you are not sexually active