Pap smear.. first time

Oh, my goodness! Don't hate being a girl! There are a lot more good things about it than bad! My daughter felt the same way you do. She said that she would be more comfortable with a female gynecologist and she found a really good one. Of course, my daughter is not uncomfortable naked in front of me, but it might help you to go to a female. If you were male, you would still have to go for check-ups! Men have to go for prostate check-ups. Those are not very pleasant, either. It might help if you go the first time to just talk to the gynecologist. Women are more likely to be more understanding than men...at least I think so. That way, you could meet her and she could explain the exam and tests to you. Good luck! And get to the doctor! Even if it is a yeast infection, left untreated, it can cause more serious problems!

Ohh, I have'nt have done yet. I was actually thinking lately to schedule my pap smear with my obygyne but again I have this ridiculous feeling like yours. I never wanted anybody to look down at me grrrrr. That is so annoying rather than embarrassing, just the thought of it makes me feel like shattered. But I need to have one since it is for my health, although I am not experiencing any abnormalities right now. Maybe we should go together hehehehe ( kidding ) I am just inspired with your post and I feel contented now to know that I am not alone.. Cheers!!

Would it help to have a female doctor? I went thru the same feelings when I had to go for a pelvic. You sort of get used to it after you have a baby or two. Everything private becomes public to the medical profession it seems like. I did feel better with a female doctor. I found out that a nurse can do a perfectly good pap test, too.If you have an infection the person examining you will take a sample scraping to see what it is (It is pretty painless). What I hate is the COLD speculum that they stick up you. You'd think they could at least put it under a lamp to warm it up. Just grin and bear it . We all do!

I remember how horrified I was at the very thought of that kind of exam years ago but, while it's sure not one of my favorite ways to spend my time it's something you'll find yourself getting used to after the first time or two. I'd strongly recommend getting a female doctor, if possible. Some people claim the pap smear is painful, others don't; the fact is, depending on the individual it's somewhere between slightly painful for a grief second or two and mildly uncomfortable for most women. The doctor will do the "internal" at the same time as she (hopefully, for your sake!) does the pap smear and some affections can be diagnosed or ruled out in that way and others require a urine test. I hope you "grit your teeth and bare it" because it's very important and saves many lives! Annie

Bless your heart! I have had two kids and I would still rather take a beating than have this done each year, but it is very important that you have it done, especially if you have some problems running in your family. Yes, it does hurt a little bit when they do the procedure but if you can try to relax as much as possible it will be over quickly. My daughter is needing to have this done also. She has had it done before but she dreads it badly too. I havae told her though that if she doesn't go ahead and get the appointment I'm going to get it for her. It is extremely important that you have this done every year.

A pap smear is something that we women must do, and it is very important to have it done. It is not the most pleasant experience in the world, but it is not really that terrible either. I am a very modest person as well and don't really like people seeing my stuff, but just remember that it is the doctor's job to do this and they do this all day long everyday. To them you will be just one more, they are used to it and they are only looking at you in a professional capacity. You will have to lay on a the bed thing, and place your feet in styrups, they are actually more comfortable then you think. The worse thing about a pap smear is that they use a device to hold you open so the doctor can do the exam. After he/she does that they will take a quick look and then will brush a swab (Q-Tip) across the area. If you have an infection they may do a second swab to use to test for the infection, but they may not. The whole thing takes less than 5 minutes and it will be over before you know it. It is certainly not as bad as getting a shot. Don't let fear keep you from getting this done, it is very important, and is really not that bad at all.

You should get a pap smear every year. The first one is the hardest because you don't know what to expect and your freaking out a bit. I would suggest that you try and resolve your nerves and find a female doctor that you would be comfortable with. Make an appointment and tell them it is your first time and ask for a consult first to meet the doctor and talk to her before the exam. You can ask questions and get direct answers. Most doctors will do this and you will end up feeling better and have your nerves eased. Good luck!

hmm it's advisable to get a pap smear. it's even more important if you've got the HPV. cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable cancer. all it takes is a pap smear and the recovery rate is 99%. i got my first pap smear done many years back. it's pretty normal, just like any medical examination. maybe you want to see a female doctor. it'll help with the anxiety. cheers.

here I am still playing catch up... I don't like them either...and my doctor is a woman which I think makes me even more uncomfortable! Marsha

you will be covered and they don't "look" at all. The first time will seem very awkward to you but relax. It is no big deal and it is very painless. your paps smears are very important and can save your life. Once you've gone in once or twice, it won't seem like such a big deal for you. PLease do it. I have had cancerous cells twice and once it was spreading and I had to travel and go to a specialist. My daughter has been treated twice and she goes regurally.

I had my first one done at 16 or so. I know your first time of having one is pretty scary but you only need one every 3 years or so. Its important for us women to have them it can detect things that we wouldn't be able to detect on our own. So far I have never had an abnormal pap smear if you have an adnormal one you have to do it more than every 3 years but if you have a normal one than you don't have to have one for another 3 years. You'll know if it comes back adnormal if they call if you don't hear anything from your doctor about an abnormal besides your infection than that's good news. It gets easier having one the more that you have one.

I still don't like them and I've done it about 38 times! Having a female do it helps. But not a whole lot. Just remember, your body is to them like a car is to a mechanic. They've seen it all, they don't care, there's nothing special about your parts. To them, it's just like any other chore like washing dishes is to us--just a job. I hope you'll make an appointment soon. Just remember, it's all over in less than a minute and that minute could save your life.

There is nothing to fear in regards to a pap smear. Your doctor will use the proper size speculem for you and it shouldn't hurt at all. As for the embarrassment factor - a doctor probably sees the private parts of a woman around a dozen or more times a day, he or she isn't going to be bothered in the least. My doctor can tell if I have a yeast infection just by looking. The whole thing might take 3 minutes at the most.

You should definitely have one done soon. I had my first one when I was around 19 or 20. I find the actual pap somewhat painful but that is most likely because I have endometriosis, I get terrible cramps for the whole day afterward. The actual exam isn't bad, they only look at you for a few minutes and feel around a little. I find that I am much more comfortable with a female doctor and I have a great one that I really like. As bad as the exam might be it is better than getting cancer. As far as the infection, I have never had one, If you have a UTI the will have you pee in a cup but if it is some other type of infection they will probably just take some sort of a swab down there, almost like a throat culture, it shouldn't hurt. Good luck.