[Typo]

So in two weeks I am going to the doctor to get my first pap smear

I am very very nervous and scared, and I was wondering if anyone here could help me calm down.

What exactly goes on during a pap smear?

I am also extremely worried it will trigger me and I will end up throwing punches or dissociating does anyone have any suggestions to help with this since I have a feeling knocking out a nurse is a no no in the medical world

Thank you all

Peace
Sparrow

[thunderbear]

Originally Posted by Silversparrow

So in two weeks I am going to the doctor to get my first pap smear

I am very very nervous and scared, and I was wondering if anyone here could help me calm down.

What exactly goes on during a pap smear?

I am also extremely worried it will trigger me and I will end up throwing punches or dissociating does anyone have any suggestions to help with this since I have a feeling knocking out a nurse is a no no in the medical world

Thank you all

Peace
Sparrow

Pap smears are uncomfortable but they don't hurt. all they do is open you up with some kind of scope. They look inside to check for any cervical abnormalities. Then they take a long q-tip and swab your cervix. I don't know what to tell you about the dissociation because I usually take a xanax before I go in because pap smears make me nervous to.

[gimmeice]

(((((((((((((( silversparrow )))))))))))))

Something that may help you is to do some relaxation techniques, like the above poster said pap smears don't hurt but they are uncomfortable luckily they don't usually last long.

[googley]

It can be scary the first time, and more. I would suggest that you mention this to the doctor/nurse if they don't ask. Also mention your nervousness about the procedure. My doc was willing to go slow and talk me through it so that I was able to be as comfortable as possible. If you take meds for anxiety, you might want to talk to your pdoc about doing something specifically for the doctors appointment. I also talked about the whole experience with my T so I would know exactly what was going to happen and we talked about what I could do to relax. I took my anxiety balls to give me something else physical to focus on rather than what was going on. Good luck!

[(JD)]

Well, I debated saying this but I had several pap smears that hurt. It depends upon where the doctor takes the sample from, how close to the entrance or not I think. But most doctors can take the tissue before you even realize.
It's a lie on your back with the gown on, knees up and open type procedure. If your doctor is a male, be sure to ask for a nurse to be there with you. The doctor will also press on your abdomen and feel for masses too...all part of the check up? IDK if you aren't having sexual activity, you could postpone this smear, unless there's cervical cancer in your family history. The Pap is strictly for diseases spread through intercourse, and is not very accurate imo.

I would definitely make sure the doctor knows this is your first one, and that you might freak out or something of that nature. It might not be so bad, you know, to dissociate. I mean, that's what much of the meditation and relaxation techniques do for you.

[ickydog2006]

My first one definitely hurt. I was also a virgin so that contributed some and also resulted in some bleeding. The pain for me was about equal to bad cramps and it only takes a few minutes. I actually have another one coming up pretty soon. It's a lot less worrisome after the first time. Obviously you still get nervous, but it really isn't that bad.

[Am I crazy?]

Originally Posted by _Sky

The Pap is strictly for diseases spread through intercourse, and is not very accurate imo.

I

Not completely true. The Pap smear is primarily a screening test for cervical cancer and associated HPV, but hormonal changes (which can be associated with ovarian conditions)can also be seen, as well as other infections like Candida which are not necessarily sexualy transmitted. Although rare, metastatic disease can sometimes be picked up as well. In my experience it is pretty accurate - I think they quote 95% - but there are the ones that slip through. It is only a screening test rather than a diagnostic test, which is why it is very important to keep having them during your life. Although it is not 100% effective it is better than nothing.
It doesn't take very long, and is worth the brief 'uncomfortableness'.

[(JD)]

There's an HPV test that is far more accurate, and the two together will find all growths if present. The Pap is just about 50% accurate, and not for everything.

I'm not sexually active and therefore refuse the test and have no need for the HPV test either. The last pap I had caused me to bleed for 2 months...just from the test (as I'm past menopause onset.)

ivilliage.com has some interesting write-ups, as I'm sure many googled sites will tell the truths.

IDK if they create a baseline, like they do mamograms. That might be useful then to have that for one. (However I also stopped mammograms since the death rate of breast cancer increased some 340% once the insurance companies demanded yearly mammos. (Not the finding of breast cancer, breast cancer deaths increased. Doctors who are against the mammograms state they believe the pressure causes any possible issues to mestastacize rather than to remain small and incidental.))

BUT I'm not here to argue. I just think it's something women should read up about, and not just go do because some doctor says everyone has it.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I had to go in Feb for mine. Was 3rd time I had to go. It soudns really scary and it is the first time, but they understand that. I didn't even have to tell the nurse I was anxious. She could def tell! She went really slow and told me everything before she did it (even though she knew I had one before).

Have you looked online for a full explanation to what goes on during the exam? They check for cysts in the ovaries by pressing on yoru belling. And they will do a breast exam (easiest part I think) to check for lumps. And then they do the pelvic exam.

Just take deep breaths and if you get really uncomfortable you can ask them to stop and let you calm down and breathe for a minute. You might want to explain the dissociation thing so theyll know and can be prepared and more sensitive to your needs. Just know no one enjoys this experience and its normal to try to think of every reason to get out of it! Its very important though, to your health. And it does get easier each time. Just think.....you wont have to go for a whole year!!

Good luck babe.

[Kaelia]

I'm in my 30's and I still get anxious about this. They are uncomfortable, but as others have said, I highly recommend going online and reading an explanation of the procedure beforehand, so you know what to expect (at least from a technical standpoint). And definitely tell your doctor about your anxiety and ask him/her to explain everything he/she is doing during the process.

One thing you really have try to do is relax your lower body and legs. This can be difficult to do when you're nervous or anxious, but it makes things go faster and more comfortable.

Another observation I've had involves the metal speculum. It can be a little cold, LOL. I've had some doctors who run it under warm water briefly...I prefer that.

My OB/GYN told me it's also OK to take 1 or 2 Ibuprofen/Advil beforehand if you want. You probably don't have to do this, but sometimes it just makes you feel better about it (like a placebo effect).

I think my first time I held the nurse's hand. LOL.

They're professionals and shouldn't mind handling your questions and concerns.

Hope that helps. It's a quick procedure; it will be fine

[serafim_etal]

In addition to what Am I Crazy? said...the pressing on the abdomen is specifically checking the ovaries and uterus (as well as a few other organs in the vicinity) for masses. As well as cysts, proper positioning, and for painful areas (which could indicate an issue). The instrument used to open the vagina is called a speculum. This instrument comes in sizes...be sure to ask the doctor to use the smallest one possible. When the actual pap portion of the exam is done, the doctor may use a long q-tip, or more commonly, a long handled brush. The surface of the cervix is brushed to remove some cells...they brush off easily and it should not actually hurt, there may be a feeling of pressure though. Have you ever had a strep-throat culture done? The procedure for removing the needed cells is almost identical (although the throat culture is always a q-tip).

[serafim_etal]

Originally Posted by _Sky

There's an HPV test that is far more accurate, and the two together will find all growths if present. The Pap is just about 50% accurate, and not for everything.

I'm not sexually active and therefore refuse the test and have no need for the HPV test either. The last pap I had caused me to bleed for 2 months...just from the test (as I'm past menopause onset.)

ivilliage.com has some interesting write-ups, as I'm sure many googled sites will tell the truths.

IDK if they create a baseline, like they do mamograms. That might be useful then to have that for one. (However I also stopped mammograms since the death rate of breast cancer increased some 340% once the insurance companies demanded yearly mammos. (Not the finding of breast cancer, breast cancer deaths increased. Doctors who are against the mammograms state they believe the pressure causes any possible issues to mestastacize rather than to remain small and incidental.))

BUT I'm not here to argue. I just think it's something women should read up about, and not just go do because some doctor says everyone has it.

In 1996 (27 years old) I had a pap test come back HSIL/CIN III (cancer insitu) at the time I was not sexually active, had not been sexually active since being abused as a young child, and my choice of partner would have been (and still is) female anyway. I ended up having a conization to remove cancerous cells (pathology came back positive), and then had to have a pap test every 3 months for a year, and then every 6 months for a year after that. I ended up having a hysterectomy at 32 due to endometriosis ( which can be found during the exam) and the fact that my pap test hit HSIL/CIN II that year, meaning the cancerous cells had returned...still no sexual activity with a male partner. There is much more involved with an anual exam, not just the pap test. All the pap test is, is a smear of cells that a lab looks at. While it is true that the test can give a false positive, a false positive is better, in my opinion, than no test and dying or never being able to have children because of falure to have the screening.

The most importnat thing to keep in mind is that the exam involves more than a pap smear...and more than HPV is looked for.

[HALLIEBETH87]

also, i find it very important to treat myself after i leave for being so brave Get yourself something sweet or a little something to reward yourself

[Typo]

Thank you all so much! I feel much better now, still really nervous but all your replies is making my nerves disapear a little

And I'll take your advice Hallie, I'll go get a nice cup of coffee afterwards

Peace to all
Sparrow

[dearyou]

Ugh, yea, I have to go in for my next one in a few months. I had one before and I was terrified of it, but my doctor was really cool and understood that it is an uncomfortable procedure and what not. My doctor is a man, but you might be more comfortable with a female doctor too, if you can request that 'cause well, your female doctor would have been in the same places as you and well, she's got all your girly bits, so it might not be so intimidating. The exam won't last long. When I had mine, I just focused on a spot on the ceiling and imagined a happy place and afterwards I was so proud of myself that I got over this fear! Definitely a nice treat is good.