Female health exams and issues

splitimage · Mar 18, 2023 at 08:46 AM

I went for a pap smear yesterday and it was an absolute nightmare. I hate them at the best of times but yesterday was extra horrible. I actually screamed because the specculum (sp??) hurt so much. My Dr. said I had vaginal dryness and so prescribed an estrogen cream. I am less than thrilled at the idea of having to apply it, as I know I'll feel super awkward. Sigh the joys of being an older woman.

TheGal · Mar 19, 2023 at 09:15 PM

I'm going through menopause right now, but haven't had a pap for quite some time. I don't have a doctor, so maybe a walk-in clinic? They're definitely not pleasant, but necessary.

Sorry you were in pain. They ought to have lubed the speculum ...

Hang in there!

SlumberKitty · Mar 20, 2023 at 12:19 PM

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I have the worst time with pap smears also. I am in peri-menopause I think. The doctor is going to do a test. She says I am on the young side but that it isn't impossible. I find pap smears to be very painful. Everyone says no they aren't. You just don't relax enough. They are just uncomfortable. Bull. They hurt a lot. I had to do two back to back because they couldn't get enough cells on the smear. Both times! They wanted to schedule me for a third one but I told them no and talked to my GP. The HPV test came back negative so she said I'm fine and don't worry about it until next year. I feel your pain. Kit

nonightowl · Mar 22, 2023 at 03:14 PM

I feel your pain, literally.

We have self driving cars but still endure painfully invasive tests. It must have been invented by a man as no woman would do that to another woman. Same with mammograms. Do men have comparable tests? I think a prostate exam is invasive but this scraping of cells, ugh!!!!Relax?!

Cold metal instruments inserted while your legs are spread across continents? And in stirrups to boot!

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splitimage · Apr 07, 2023 at 07:37 AM

Thanks everyone. Well I finally got around to filling my prescription for the hormone replacement ointment. Nos I have to apply it, internally, every night for 2 weeks then twice a week indefinitely I think.

I'm supposed to make an appointment to reattempt the pap smear after I've been applying the cream for 2 months. Not looking forward to that.

nonightowl · Apr 07, 2023 at 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitimage

snip:
Now I have to apply it, internally, every night for 2 weeks then twice a week indefinitely I think.

Not looking forward to that.

Internally?!!

I couldn't do that. Kudos to you.

I don't blame you for not looking forward to another test.

BeyondtheRainbow · Apr 07, 2023 at 08:58 PM

You can always ask for a small speculum. I've found that helps a lot. My gyn had certain muscles she'd show me to relax and that greartly decreased the pain too but I couldn't tell you what they are.

Not needing gyn exams is one of the best parts of having had a hysterectomy.

MuddyBoots · Apr 08, 2023 at 10:22 AM

Funny, I just had a pap smear done too, and it was awful as well (more so due to past abuse rather than physical pain though). My dr used the small speculum like Rainbow said and that makes a huge difference. I don't know your psych med situation, but I took some Zyprexa before I went in so I was kinda out of it and not super tense/anxious as well.

That's too bad about the cream and having to go back. I'm sure after a while you'll get used to applying it though. I hope your next pap smear goes much more smoothly (I'm sure it will).

jesyka · Apr 17, 2023 at 12:30 AM

Sorry to hear that. I have been through the same thing. I know my former obgyn are sadists as thet tild me to stop whining z& it’s not so bad. Wth? And the Dr. was a female.

I hwve put off getting anything done for over a year sinve I dresd it so much! I can’t even use a tampon of r have penetrative sex as it is extremely painful to have anything exterted inside of me. I have sime medical condition I can’t spell.

They should give us anesthesia before giving these exams! Doing all of this awake is barbaric! I do think this torture was invented by sadistic men!

nonightowl · Apr 17, 2023 at 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesyka

Sorry to hear that. I have been through the same thing. I know my former obgyn are sadists as thet tild me to stop whining z& it’s not so bad. Wth? And the Dr. was a female.

I hwve put off getting anything done for over a year sinve I dresd it so much! I can’t even use a tampon of r have penetrative sex as it is extremely painful to have anything exterted inside of me. I have sime medical condition I can’t spell.

They should give us anesthesia before giving these exams! Doing all of this awake is barbaric! I do think this torture was invented by sadistic men!

B i t c h nurse told me over 40 years ago that I “better get used to it kiddo.” And I still remember her tone and facial expression after all this time. I agree one should be sedated and insensitive comments from women makes it even more painful, literally and figuratively.

I’m sure it was invented by a man, along with mammograms, high heels, corsets and bras.

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Discombobulated · Apr 17, 2023 at 10:35 AM

I’m so sorry so many of you had such unsympathetic staff carry this out, that’s not going to help and would likely worsen pain.

I get a lot of pain with smears and I think it’s because I have a retroverted uterus, it’s not uncommon. The angle is different, more awkward. I tell the staff beforehand and they thank me because it does prepare them too.

Last nurse I had was so kind and although it hurt she talked all the way through and reassured me. It makes a huge difference.

dangerousreality · May 26, 2023 at 12:15 AM

Imagine if a guy had to have a big wand stuck in his whole yearly. LMAO

Blueowl · May 26, 2023 at 11:29 PM

The father of gynecology is J. Marion Sims.

If you are interested in reading what he did to women, check out Harriet T. Washington's book titled "Medical Apartheid."
Harriet A. Washington | Penguin Random House

For me, it was eye opening.

nonightowl · May 27, 2023 at 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangerousreality

Imagine if a guy had to have a big wand stuck in his whole yearly. LMAO

I'm not sure but I think the prostate exam is quite invasive, where they go from "behind"...

Still not even close to a Pap test, in my opinion.

Discombobulated · Yesterday at 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonightowl

I'm not sure but I think the prostate exam is quite invasive, where they go from "behind"...

Still not even close to a Pap test, in my opinion.

A friend told me about his prostate biopsy - now that sounded painful! Commiserations to any man having to go for one of those although they don’t routinely get them every 3 years.

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TheGal Member TheGal has no updates. Member Since: Aug 2022 Location: The House Posts: 464 226 hugs given	Mar 19, 2023 at 09:15 PM #2 I'm going through menopause right now, but haven't had a pap for quite some time. I don't have a doctor, so maybe a walk-in clinic? They're definitely not pleasant, but necessary. Sorry you were in pain. They ought to have lubed the speculum ... Hang in there!
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dangerousreality Junior Member dangerousreality has no updates. Member Since: May 2023 Location: lacey wa Posts: 14 (SuperPoster!) 2 hugs given	May 26, 2023 at 12:15 AM #12 Imagine if a guy had to have a big wand stuck in his whole yearly. LMAO
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Blueowl Member Blueowl has no updates. Member Since: Jul 2022 Location: West Posts: 261 86 hugs given	May 26, 2023 at 11:29 PM #13 The father of gynecology is J. Marion Sims. If you are interested in reading what he did to women, check out Harriet T. Washington's book titled "Medical Apartheid." Harriet A. Washington \| Penguin Random House For me, it was eye opening.
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