From the article: What Is It Like to Get A Pap Smear?
Although there are some women who have had strongly negative experiences with Pap smears, many women find them to be no big deal. This is a place for women to share their stories about what it is like to get a Pap smear - whether it was funny, painful, or boring. Please, however, keep any comments about whether you think Pap smears are necessary over here. This is a place for women to discuss their actual experiences during an exam.
To answer anonymously, log out of your account and post as a guest. Share Your Stories
To answer anonymously, log out of your account and post as a guest. Share Your Stories
bad experience
- I had a really bad pap smear,i was a virgin and after she inserted the speculum,i couldn't walk right for two days , it a while for my vagina to get back to normal, I'm scared to have another pap test , i will never again have one not until i become sexual active!
- —Guest lily
Sounds Scary, But No Big Deal For Me
- In my experience, pap smears aren't that bad. I was so nervous going into my first one, only to find out I had a male doctor! The worst part was definitely the waiting though, as I was psyching myself up to think it would be scary. In actual fact, my doctor was a wonderful man who made me feel very comfortable - I now choose him over my previous fe male doctor. The procedure itself was also quite painless - it was no worse than getting my blood pressure taken! In fact, I experienced even less discomfort. The idea of being on display still scares me, but I think a good doctor makes all the difference. Find someone who you're comfortable with and make sure you do it once you've lost yout virginity to minimise any discomfort.
- —Guest Erin
Not as bad as many think
- I've never had too much of a problem with the pelvic exam. Even though I'm exposed I feel kind of covered up down there since I can't see what's going on. The breast exam bothers me more since I'm totally nude from the waist up while he examines me.
- —Guest Jenny J
just had my first and last
- I went to the doctors office today to get a refill on my birth control pills in I take to prevent my ovarian cists from causing me paralyzing pain each month and my regular doctor was unavailable so I last minute got this completely new random doctor who I'd never met until today. Instead of just refilling my prescription (im sure the only reason she felt bad for making pay a $20 copay just to come in for a refill) she bullied me into getting my first pap smear and a vaccine I'd never heard of or had any plans of getting (apparently whopping cough is back). she claimed i needed the pap smear even though I'm a virgin and have not been sexually active. Before i knew what was happening they were telling me to disrobe and wear a piece of paper. The actual experience was awful. Not just the sheer embarrassment which was horrible, but the excruciating pain. I can only describe it as violating intrusive stabbing pain. Pretty awful. To make it worse they took forever and the doctor seemed lost
- —Guest winnie
Chelsea
- Pap smears are a absolute breeze no need to worry all . So everyone should have one
- —Guest Samantha
Thank God for Pap Smears
- I had my pap smear and it came back abnormal. I had all the test done for cervical cancer and I found out I am a cin III. High risk. I have a total hysterectomy coming up June 1st. I have had abnormal paps for 4 to 5 yrs and had the treatments for them. This year I got a 2nd opion and I am glad I did. I learned more in 1 visit with this dr than I did in all the other visits with the other one. Ladies get your paps done,. It is so important. Ask questions and if you dont like the answer go on line and look it up and if you have to change drs. Your life may depend on it. Just look up on the ceiling at the picture. Your dr is your dr and is doing his job and is more than likely saving your life, Isnt that worth what like bit of embarassment you feel? After all the dr has seen all kinds of buttoms what makes yours so special? LOL You know what I mean. GET YOUR PAPS DONE LADIES YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
- —Guest catnlucille17
Not a problem
- I've had plenty of pap smears over the years and have never found them painful. Uncomfortable- yes! Embarrassing- definitely! But I'm very shy of my nether regions, even with my husband. I have always had a female nurse carry them out and they are so practised at it that it begins to seem like any other procedure and for the peace of mind it brings, it's well worth it.
- —Guest Danielle
why?
- my pap smears were extremely painful. The first time I thought it was because the area was inflamed from cancer but after surgery and treatment and feeling better the next one hurt just at much and the doctor had to stop. I don't know why they should be so painful. Don't we put tampons up there and sometimes they bump into something; isn't that the cervix? Why does it hurt so much in the exam? I agree with the person who said they can devise something better, without pain.
- —pennysuescheff
Never Skip Your Pap Smear
- I really don't like Pap smears. I don't know any woman who does! They are uncomfortable and a bit embarrassing, but I remind myself that the person doing the smear does several hundred of these every year and has likely done thousands of them in his/her career. I agree that nurse practitioners are much better at pap smears. They are more gentle and it's a better experience. But regardless of the discomfort, it is SO IMPORTANT for women to get pap smears regularly. I have worked in a cancer center for many years and have counseled women with advanced cervical cancer. I have watched women die of this disease. It is so tragic because the disease is 100% treatable if caught early. Don't ever skip a pap smear because it's inconvenient, embarrassing, or uncomfortable. It's a lot less inconvenient than being diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer!
- —Guest So Worth The Trouble
Eh
- Of course I can think of about a thousand things I'd rather be doing than have a pap smear, but it's such a relief to know that I don't have to worry about cervical cancer. Taking deep breaths and relaxing as the speculum is inserted has really helped make the experience less uncomfortable!
- —Guest Nicole
Midwives and NPs!
- I've been getting my "yearlys" since I was about 19 (I'm 33 now). What I've learned is that midwives and nurse practitioners are much more gentle and respectful than ob/gyns - even female ones. I've never had an issue getting my paps. They're awkward and a little embarrassing, sure, but since I've started asking for the NP or the midwife for my well woman exams, it's been a breeze. They tend to know a little bit more about the side effects of the different pill brands, too, an added bonus.
- —AnneRemmington
Not a Big Deal at All
- I have such a comfortable relationship with my OB/GYN. We chat about our kids and I don't even realize he's doing the Pap until it's over.
- —BBB
Nothing to it
- Compared with everything else you are subjected to in a routine medical exam, the pap smear experience is no more uncomfortable. I have almost always had a female nurse practitioner or doctor, and I think that is something that can help a lot of women overcome their hesitancy about the procedure. But really, when you compare it with getting poked and prodded everywhere else, and having blood drawn or even blood pressure taken, it is any more uncomfortable or painful? NO! It's just another area of your body that can have its own set of problems and it should be checked regularly. A caveat is that I know a rape victim who, unfortunately, has always had a male doctor, and pelvic exams bring back that trauma. Nowadays it is very easy to find a female NP, PA or MD for your exams, and I think anyone with qualms about exposing themselves to a male provider should request a female.
- —Guest wb
Good, and...Eh
- The pap itself, for me, is not painful per se, just a little uncomfortable. (And when I say 'uncomfortable', I don't mean it as a code word for 'painful,' I'm really referring to slight discomfort.) The only part that I don't like is when the swab itself scrapes my cervix, but it's over in a second or two and then the rest is fine. There are a few things I actually enjoy about my pap exams. First, it really feels great knowing that I'm being proactive about my health and that I don't really have to worry about major problems going undetected until it's too late, which is something that I do otherwise worry about. Also, I've looked carefully for a gyno who is not only wonderful, but who has a wonderful office staff, too. They're funny, reassuring, and just plain nice. I feel really taken care of when I go in, almost like visiting a spa. For those who hate paps, I'd recommend getting a female doc (or really nice male) with a nice office staff. It doesn't need to be traumatic.
- —Guest Lizzie
uncomfortable, but necessary
- I find Paps to be a little uncomfortable (like a pinch) but over with quickly. The funniest one I had was 6 wks postpartum. My baby was screaming and I had to hold her while I was on the table DURING the exam!
- —Guest catherine
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