[Zen888]

Every year I go and have an regular physical exam at my family doctor's office.

While the doctor is performing a Pap test/Pelvic exam I tend to tighten up or tense up down below and don't relax. I experience alot of discomfort and pain while my doctor is performing the tests/exams.

For me down below is a very private region of my body and it is an odd out of body experience for me to have someone that close to my body. Even though it is not a sexual situation just a professional medical situation I still tense up and cannot relax. I worry about the shape and size of my vagina (is it too large or is it too small), do I have too much pubic hair or should I shave it down a bit, do I smell offensive down below even though I have showered and cleaned myself......list goes on!

How do you make yourself feel more at ease or comfortable while getting an Pap test/Pelvic exam? And what is the general standard for the apperanace of your pubic hair (full bush? no bush? small barely there bush?)

[anna342]

I can't really comment as to what I do, as I've never had to have one. I nearly did at 16, but was having surgery anyway and asked them to do it whilst I was out and even then I had to shave most of it off for them under instruction because one incision would be made quite low down.

I did have to, I would just tidy it up down there a bit. But I wouldn't worry about anything else. As I'm in a medical profession where I deal with all parts of a persons body at one time or another I can honestly say that no one is paying that much attention to anything other than getting the job done. Unless there is a problem, the Dr won't think twice about the smell, size, shape, whatever.

It's easy to say that though, and not so easy to keep in mind when they are poking about down there. But remember also that Dr's know you are going to be nervous and may tense up. I doubt they enjoy having it done anymore than you do!

I personally ask my GP to prescribe a sedative that I can take one before, and one after. For me though, having the exam done is terrifying and even with a sedative i often swap out to an alter. and usually a child. My female GP knows all about this and has been shown what to do and how to handle it

[Perna]

I didn't have a gynecologist and asked my girlfriend and she made an appointment for me with hers, a day she could go with me. She took me to the office and sat in the waiting room waiting. She had told me wonderful stories; she, her mother, and grandmother all use to go the same time and then go out to lunch together afterwards as a treat!

I remember that story and try to think about all the women having exams past and present, and make sure I have a good rapport with my doctor, etc.

[Michah]

Zen, I take a 5mg of diazepam, lie on the bed and close my eyes......my gynea is wonderful, but man I HATE pap smears........I am NOT good at being touched ANYWHERE!! Sorry, but my pubes, vagina and surrounding bits are really the last thing on my mind....

My gynea is the only person I have ever known that can do a pap smear in 1 minute.......speedy gonzales!! and the whole time he tells me to breathe and not look like he is going to cut my legs off.......Ha Ha he is funny.

I find if you keep the pubes short it is less friction when using the speculum.....

Hope my meagre contribution helped in the discussion.

[Zen888]

Michah, I cannot help it but I am concerned about the size of my bits because there is also the doctor's assistant (a woman) in the room as well. I'm just wondering if God gave me a standard issue vagina or if mine looks odd?

[bearchic34]

Zen i'm sure your lady parts look perfectly normal. The woman in the room is to protect you, so that there is someone so that the Dr. 'can't' assult you. They are suposed to make sure there is no inapproperiate contact with the physical exam.
I bet if you were to ask the dr he'd said there is no 'normal' issue lady parts, everyone is unique in the way their body was built. ~hugs~