Pap Test/Pelvic Exam

In January, I have my annual physical exam.

I have had many Pap tests/Pelvic exams before but I am always anxious about them.

I know my doctor has probably seen every size, shape, and age of various vaginas but I am still concerned about what he thinks about mine.

I have thoughts such as are my labia the right size (too small or too large)?, should I shave my pubic hair or just trim to tidy things up?...etc.

He is a nice doctor and is always gentle with me. But the last Pap test/Pelvic exam was painful because I couldn't relax. It's not just me and the doctor in the exam room he also has a nurse in the room as well. I feel like my vagina is on display!

And I don't like someone that I hardly know being that close to my vagina. My vagina is a very private part of my body that nobody sees since I am not in a relationship.

How do I relax during the exam? What do doctors really think about when they are performing these exams?

I have mine done by a female doctor and that helped me alot - I'm more comfortable having a female compared to a male doctor. This is standard routine for gynecologists and to them, this part of the body is the same as any other part. I think the only thing they would appreciate, is cleanliness. When they're doing the actual exam, I think they're thinking about your health and they might be thinking about golfing or something silly LOL. As far as size goes, I'm sure they've seen everything and don't care about that unless, it's medically relevant. Me and my doctor usually talk about unrelated things during the exam - it's kind of funny.

I brought a comfort object, something I could hold and focus my attention on during the exam. I brought my stuffed ox that I take to therapy and doctor's appointments. I focused on him and was able to relax during the exam.

I wish you luck Zen!

listen to music on an ipod if they allow you to.

I am more concerned about what my doctor really thinks about my vagina than the exam itself.

Let me clue you in here. The sight of your vagina will not give him nightmares...trust me he has seen just about everything from jewelry piercings to the really nasty stuff from really nasty infections to vaginal warts to women who are menstrating quite heavily I might add. They have also seen some nasty STDs not to mention childbirth. By the time you walk out of there, what he saw of you will be out of his mind until next year. Good luck.

I agree we shouldn't be concerned what the doctor thinks about the size, shape etc., unless it's medically relevant.

Yeah I feel the same way. but i try to tell myself thta doctors don't look at your private area and think of it as a vagina. It's their job.