Yea I think you just pinpointed my problem...They look at you as if you were some alien, and don't understand why you'd be scared or something...My mother called me pathetic for being scared...Which maybe I am...My first pap was so painful that now I think i'm just scared that it's going to be like that again and it's embarrassing that the doctors don't really understand how I feel and then make me feel stupid.

I feel awkward with males doctors so I request female doctors or nurse practitioners(of which are my favorite) the female doctors seem to be more empathetic, I feel it is because they truely understand. Plus, if you use an obgyn then they should tell you what to expect and try to make you as relaxed as possible. Hope this helps.

Casey

Yes from no on I request fro female obgyn because they are more gentle and understanding

Yeah, I posted in another forum that I am going to go in a month and i'm really nervous. I understand that the drs look at vaginas every day and that seeing mine isn't a big deal to them, but just the fact that its my vagina that they are poking around in.

I hate having paps. I just had one 3 days ago. They really hurt although some times they have hurt more than others.

I realized that the time that they have hurt the most is when they use the really big plastic ones (i hate it so much!!!)

one time they used a metal one that didn't hurt as much, it was more rounded in shape.

This last time the gynecologist said he would use a smaller one. It was quite smaller than the others that i've had before although it still hurt a bit, it wasn't as bad as the last time.

So I would say to ask your gynecologist if they have smaller ones to put in there.

Yea I went to a doctor once that used one that is used on babies! He thought it was funny... Anyways I go on friday next week and they gave me a prescription for something to ease my anxiety. They said it'll make me tired and a little silly and that someone has to go with me because I won't be coherant enough to drive or sign paperwork. Anyways, I think once I do it this one time with that medicine and see what it's like and that I can handle it, I should be fine for the next one without the medicine.

i'm glad they eased your mind.

I have to have paps ever six months. I still get nervous. What I try to do is start talking to my doctor while i'm laying down. If I have questions about my body or my partner. I also feel more comfortable with a female doctor vs male. It's really all psychological just work on changing your state of mind and relax.

I had my appt on friday...I took the nerve meds an hour before I went in. It made me a little tired and also made me so I wouldn't tense up so much.

Anyways, it still hurt a little, pinching and stuff, but mostly was just uncomfortable. My doctor said it's just because "i'm not streched out enough" yet. Next time I go I should be just fine. I was totally "with it" and not loony like the doctor said that medicine might make me. I knew then entire time what was happening. I think that doing it just that one time with the nerve medication helped, because I was able to get through the whole deal and know what it was like but just not as tense. It's just real uncomfortable and takes a few minutes.

I'm glad everything went well chrissy!

Pregnant or not you should get a pap smear, I did not get one one year and I ended up with a hysterectomy due to cancer, they are uncomfortable if you are pregnant or not but do get one, it can save your life.