My 1st PELVIC EXAM..Is it terrible?? I'M SCARED - Women's Health Message Board

Catherine83 · 08-03-2007, 12:26 PM

Hello - I'm having my first pelvic exam on monday and I'm scared! I can think of many other things that I'd rather be doing but it's time that I have this done. So, I have some questions..what all will the doctor do? I understand they the doctor inserts a metal/plastic thing that opens the vagina...how big is this thing and how far in does it go? How long will it take? Is it painful? I am sexually active and have been for a little over a year now...but sometimes even sex hurts....so I'm scared that this is going to be painful. Please give me any advice that you can.... THANKS :-)
Also, how long does it take to get results back?

Longview · 08-03-2007, 01:28 PM

From my experience, the doctor is very gentle. If it hurts, let them know!!
Thankfully, it only last maybe 2 minutes. Its a very quick procedure. I have never got results back unless something is wrong...usually no phone call back from them means everything turned out okay. Yes the doctor puts a metal thing on your vagina, im no expert on what it looks like but then they insert a metal rod...not exactly sure how far up but enough to touch the cervix, thats where they need the cells from to determine if anythings wrong.
All in in all its not a painful thing, its a little uncomfortable for a moment but ive never experienced pain from it. maybe others have but im just saying i havent.
good luck and relax, it will be fine...its nothing to be afraid of. and talking to the gyno doing it really helps.

coty · 08-03-2007, 10:12 PM

Every woman is different, I do feel pain. But you always let them know, and the doctor will take good care of you.
The thing that they put in you is a device that has two parts thatthey open and that spreads the walls of your vagine so they can see in you. Then they try to get to your cervix and they introduce a small swab to get some cells out of you. They will alse take some samples from you outer vagina, and try to touch your oaries, but thatis painless even for me

Good luck! Don't be too afraid, it is only one moment.

fairydust7 · 08-04-2007, 03:37 AM

when my doctor does a complete exam, first they check my breasts and ask if i've felt anything abnormal or any changes. then he/she inserts the speculum which is a bit uncomfortable but not painful at all. it's just weird feeling, but my doctors always tell me before they do it. then they do the pap part which takes maybe a minute and while again its not comfortable it doesn't really hurt either. I just feel a mild cramp like feeling. Then they pull out the speculum and he/she inserts a couple of fingers and pushes up while pushing down on my pelvis with their other hand to feel the ovaries and uterus. and that is not uncomfortable at all for me. then it's over with. i only have that done once a year. i go to the gyno more often because of cervical problems. but the routine once a year visit is what i describe above that i have done.

Andrea84 · 08-04-2007, 04:22 PM

Key thing is to ask them to use plenty of lubricant. (They usually do but I like to remind them).