Im going in 2 days to have my first pap,
needless to say im nervous, any tips on
how to relax? Also, how much does it
really hurt?? Basically I guess kind of
tell me what goes on or w/e. Thanks
|
tasha82
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 112
Posted: 01-18-06 01:37am
Hi. I remember how nervous I was before
my first pap, but honestly, it's really
not that bad. Usually, before you see a
doctor for the first time, he/she will
talk to you in his/her office about your
medical history and birth control etc.
They'll probably ask for a urine sample
and a nurse will take your blood pressure.
When the doctor comes in for the exam,
he/she may listen to your heart and lungs
just like they do at a regular doctor's
appointment. The next thing is usually
the breast exam, which is pretty quick.
Then you put your feet in the stirrups and
the doctor starts the pelvic exam.
They'll insert a speculum, which doesn't
usually hurt, but you'll feel a lot of
pressure. Then they'll take the sample
from your cervix, which shouldn't hurt
either, and then the doctor will insert a
finger or two to check your organs. For
me, this part hurts a little bit, but it's
bearable--and again, it's over quickly.
Then you can sit up and they'll leave you
alone to get dressed.
The whole exam is over so quickly, there's
not much time for it to get very
unpleasant. Seriously, your entire time
in the stirrups will probably be less than
two minutes at the most. As for how to
relax, i'm a very tense person who doesn't
know how to relax (lol) and i've still
never had a problem with pain from
tension. Most doctors are considerate
and try to be gentle, so pain isn't
usually an issue. It's normal to feel
embarrassed, but just remember the doctor
does this all day long, every day, so
there's nothing to worry about :)
|
penelope67
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 114 Location: NH
Posted: 01-18-06 15:55pm
Yeah tasha is totally right-nothing to
worry about. Also I read that you
shouldnt have sex the night before your
pap, because it may mess up the results
|
jellyfishattack
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Pap Smear Posted: 01-18-06 21:30pm
Tasha and penelope were right on - a pap
smear doesn't hurt, it just feels kind of
weird, I always thought it felt like that
odd feeling you get when you're cleaning
your belly button. It would never be as
painful as say, tweezing your eyebrows.
The speculum might hurt just a little, if
you haven't had sex yet,and if you're
really worried about that you can ask that
the md use a speculum that's narrower than
the standard one. He'll have them,
they're often used, e.G. For
post-menopausal women.
I had my first pelvic exam when I was 12
and god knows how many since
(endometriosis), and after a while you
won't be very embarrased at all.
|
mongirl
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 93 Location: Michigan
Not That Bad Posted: 01-18-06 21:43pm
Ive had a ton of paps and the first is
always the most awkward but its really not
bad at all, just relax because they know
your nervous and they have done hundreds
of them before so dont be worried about it
because every sexually active woman has to
have one, if it helps take a deep breath
and laugh before he or she comes in. Im
20 and im comfortable with it now.
|
munky23
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 130
Posted: 01-21-06 14:53pm
Yeah it shouldn't hurt unless if your
doctor is a retard and can't find your
cervix!!
