[lizardlady]

I got a new female primary care doc a few months ago. I had to have a Pap test done today. Not having any problems, just a routine check. As an assault survivor I really, really hate gyn exams. I also have a small pelvis and docs have had trouble in the past. I'm also 15 years post menopause which adds more complications. Let's just say I'm probably not the ideal patient to do the test on.

The last PCP I had, also a woman! was an idiot about the test. She would just keep forcing the speculum in and demanding I relax. Need I say the more she pushed and ordered me to relax the more tense I got, making things even worse. She even complained I was "too dry." I wanted to yell at her to use more lube fer pete's sake!!!! DUH!

Then there's the new doc. I explained to her that I really, really, hate having the test done. She said she hates them too. I told her I'd been assaulted in the past so really hate them. She said she understood. Bless her heart she was as gentle as she could be getting the spec in me. She kept encouraging me to relax as much as I could. She got the sample she needed and got out quickly. She also told me that if everything is okday I won't have to have one again for two years.

The contrast between new doc and old is night and day. Last doc fussed at me that my cholesterol was still 2 points (!) too high after I brought it down 100 points. The doc praised me for getting it down again. Old doc kept finding reasons for me to come to the office every 3 -4 months. New doc said that with the good test results I have, barring anything showing up in the Pap, she'll see me in a year for my annual check up!

[gayleggg]

I'm glad your new doc helped you through the pap with less trauma. A pap is never easy but some doctors can make it better. Like i didn't know that Specs come in different sizes until my daughter when to her doctor who listended to her and used a smaller spec on her. They don't tell us these things. A loving and caring doctor can make all the difference between a okay pap and a traumatic pap. Glad yours was understanding.

[Aviza]

Wow your new doc is so awesome, I'm really glad you found her.

[junkDNA]

thats great that the new doc was better. i am glad i read your post because i have been avoiding a gyno for 5 years. i had an abnormal pap test and they had to burn some of my cervix out in a procedure. it was pretty terrible and i cried. i was supposed to go back for a follow up but i never did. it scared me too much.

[Artchic528]

I hate the speculum. It's so uncomfortable when it's in. I guess I need to suck it up though because I am due for my annual ob/gyn appointment now. It's really important that I go because of my IUD.

Ah the joys of womanhood.

[Nammu]

It's great to read things like this.

I'm glad it went better and hope the results will be normal.

[nervous puppy]

I'm glad your new doc was understanding. That's good to hear!
I have a similar issue when I have my exam in that my doc needs to use the smaller speculum, and it's difficult for her to get the sample she needs for the pap. I've been with my doc for over 25 yrs and she's always tried to be as quick and gentle as possible. I told her way back in the beginning how nervous these exams made me, but I've never been brave enough to tell her why (the abuse).

[ladytiger]

Yay for the new doc! My gyno who left the office was really good to me. Previous ones complaied about my tightness (not a virgin) but I told them there's trauma which is why I can't be still doing those exams. I was doing a tampon exercise with lube to expand my vagina which helped. I had to get a uterus scan to see if there was other complications and my uterus is fine

[spring2014]

I agreed too lizradlady !!!!!!! my ob / gyn is a woman too. that speculum is too cold the metal one . she has to use a pediatric speculum for me cuz my vagina is too small for a metal speculum. I usually do a breathing exercise and imagine somewhere pleasant .








Diagnosis : Anxiety and depression
meds : Cymbalta 90mgs at night
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50 mgs at night for insomnia

[Pastel Kitten]

I have never had a pap, and I'm honestly terribly afraid of it because I can't even engage in sexual intercourse yet, let alone have a medical instrument inserted. I'm 20, so I'm guessing I'm already way overdue for one..? My old primary care doctor never mentioned it to me - my new doctor asked me if I had gotten one yet.

[lizardlady]

Pastel Kitten, how about telling your doc that you've never had a Pap or engaged in sex and see what s/he says about the need for a Pap? For what it's worth, I started having them before I was sexually active due to a problem I was having.

As a follow up to my original post, I got a note in the mail from my new doc that the test was fine! I don't need to have another for two years!

[Pastel Kitten]

I did tell her, and she said I wouldn't be able to have a Pap until I've engaged in intercourse. I hope it's ok to wait.

On another note, I'm very glad to hear that it went well for you!

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

I got a new female primary care doc a few months ago. I had to have a Pap test done today. Not having any problems, just a routine check. As an assault survivor I really, really hate gyn exams. I also have a small pelvis and docs have had trouble in the past. I'm also 15 years post menopause which adds more complications. Let's just say I'm probably not the ideal patient to do the test on.

The last PCP I had, also a woman! was an idiot about the test. She would just keep forcing the speculum in and demanding I relax. Need I say the more she pushed and ordered me to relax the more tense I got, making things even worse. She even complained I was "too dry." I wanted to yell at her to use more lube fer pete's sake!!!! DUH!

Then there's the new doc. I explained to her that I really, really, hate having the test done. She said she hates them too. I told her I'd been assaulted in the past so really hate them. She said she understood. Bless her heart she was as gentle as she could be getting the spec in me. She kept encouraging me to relax as much as I could. She got the sample she needed and got out quickly. She also told me that if everything is okday I won't have to have one again for two years.

The contrast between new doc and old is night and day. Last doc fussed at me that my cholesterol was still 2 points (!) too high after I brought it down 100 points. The doc praised me for getting it down again. Old doc kept finding reasons for me to come to the office every 3 -4 months. New doc said that with the good test results I have, barring anything showing up in the Pap, she'll see me in a year for my annual check up!

Liz...Glad you found someone better. I know how some women won't go at all, due to the reasons you posted. Even women doctors don't always have the right people skills, esp. for that type of "exam" for crying outloud.

Yelling at or demanding someone to "relax" is not the way to get that person to relax!

I found out recently that another patient agreed with me on how the cold the nurses are at this one facility. I mentioned to a nurse at one I don't usually go to how much NICER they all are. Someone agree with me, that she doesn't like the nurses at the other facility. No compassion, warmth, or sensitivity. It's like they have been sucking on lemons all day, so sour in disposition.

It's good that they space these visits out to a few years apart in some cases.