Scared about a Pap Smear - Women's Health Message Board

kaivxn · 10-18-2004, 02:50 PM

Hello,

I am a 22 year old who is going to get her first Pap Smear ever. But I am scared. I am a virgin (and dang proud of that fact most of the time), so I am not used to ANYONE messing around down there. I've read up on what is going to happen, and asked female relatives what the expect, but they didn't help much. It seems to me that it will be a painful and very humiliating medical violation of my body, even if it is needed to make sure I stay healthy. Can anyone give me some advice on this subject?

waterfairy · 10-18-2004, 05:11 PM

Hello kaivxn,

I can completely sympathize with how you're feeling. I myself am 23 years old, also a virgin, and had my first pap smear in February. I was so scared and embarassed about the whole thing. But I can tell you that afterwards, I realized that it wasn't near as bad as I thought. I figured it would hurt a lot, but it didn't. First thing you'll do is change into a robe, and you have the option to leave your socks on or not...I did because it made me feel a bit better knowing at least I have some article of clothing on. Then the doctor will come in, and he/she should talk you through the exam while they're doing it. If they don't, request they tell you what they're doing, if you would like to know while it's going on. It's uncomfortable having the speculum (spelling?) inserted if you're not used to wearing tampons because your hymen's not stretched much. But honestly it didn't hurt at all. When they have the speculum in, they'll take a swab type thing and take a sample, which sort of feels like a little scrape/pinch, not bad at all. Afterwards they'll take out the speculum and insert a finger or two and push on your belly to check your ovaries. The doctor might also insert a finger into your rectum, but my doctor didn't do this. After that, you're done. Oh, they may also give you a breast exam as well, and show you how to check for lumps yourself. If you have a male doctor, you will have to have a female nurse in with you during the exam. It's the law I believe. Because my doctor is female, I just had her in the room for the exam. You could request a nurse to be in there with you for support if you like...my doctor and nurse offerd this option. The whole prosedure is done in maybe 4 minutes. Afterwards you might feel a little crampy and if your hymen hasn't been broken until the exam, you might bleed a little bit from that.

Most important, make SURE your doctor who's doing the exam KNOWS you're a virgin. This will let them know that you're not used to having anything down there, and should be more gentle.

I hope that this has eased your worries a bit, and if you need any more support or information, don't hesitate to ask me. Good luck to you, and try to stay strong.

HollyGoLightly · 10-18-2004, 06:27 PM

What waterfairy said was very good. It's not painful or humiliating and no one is violating you against your will

What you are thinking in your mind is 10,000x worse than the actual experience, it is over so fast you will wonder what you were worried about.

BorderGirl · 10-18-2004, 06:37 PM

Well I wasn't a virgin. I had my first pap after my b/f had penetrated me for a minute or two. But if you've even used a tampon you should be fine. My doctor knew it was my first time and was SO gentle. She waited for me to take some deep breaths and relax the muscles down there before she started. I felt a small sensation from the speculum holding me open. Not painful at all. The actual pap smear I didn't feel at all. Probably the most important thing you can do is ask all the females you know for recommendations on a good doctor. And relax during the exam. It seriously lasts like 30 seconds. Its a little embarrassing at first, but honestly thats the worst thing about it.

Saka · 10-18-2004, 08:06 PM

I had my first pap smear 2 years ago and just had another one the other day (we only have to get one every 2 years in Australia).

Make sure you find a doctor you are very comfortable with as this will make it much easier. The first dr I had mine done with wasn't very nice and make me feel uncomfortable. But when I went in last week (to a new doctor) she make me feel as comfortable as possible and apart from the speculum being in there, it was not an uncomfortable experience.

And the good thing about them is that they are over so fast. So don't worry too much about it and try to relax while you are in there. Once it is over you'll probably wonder why you were so scared