Female Advice Preferred: THOSE exams....you know the ones...

[flowerchild32273]

so ive never had a pelvic exam/pap smear..since im 19 and ive started having sex i figured i should have one. im kind of nervous about it and i dont really know anything about it. i guess i just want to know how bad itll be and what your experiences were

[Pandamonium]

I was terrified before my first appointment and can honestly say that it isn't that bad. Yeah, it's a bit awkward. But it isn't painful or lengthy in any way. I was in and out in under 20 minutes. At worst, you may feel a little pinch during the pap smear.

Given what it can prevent, it's definitely worth going.

[Anonymity]

I don't know. I refuse to go. It just seems so . . . weird.

[flowerchild32273]

yea i wasnt going to go but my best friend just had an abnormal pap test and was like "yea you should definately go..shit happens" so i thought it was a good idea

[Thurineth]

You get called about it when you turn 20 anyway. I have my first one on wednesday... we'll see how it goes.

[BabyIndia]

I'm 20 and I haven't been called :/ Should I make an appointment myself?

[✿ Orchidaceous]

Hey there. (:

As it's already been said, it isn't painful or lengthy. It may feel awkward and embarrassing, remember that this is there job and they've seen it all before! There's nothing to be afraid of. It's good that you've made the decision to make an appointment. Any time after you're eighteen or sexually active is a good time to make an appointment.

There's a good page on visiting the gynaecologist here. [Click.]

[iDream]

Most doctors say to have your first test three years after you become sexually active, or when you're 20, whichever comes first. :]

[Justin Bieber]

Hey, you have nothing to worry about! Everyone is a little nervous before they go for the first time- it's completely normal. Getting checked out might involve 10 minutes of awkwardness, but it can prevent a lifetime of disease and problems. When you go in, have the doctor explain everything, and tell you what will happen before she does anything so there aren't any surprises. Remember to relax and take deep breaths. Maybe take a friend/parent to take your mind off things. Or even an iPod so you can listen to music

Hope this helped!
-Amy

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Hi,

I was the same as you, had my first at 19, and was really scared. I have to say it is not nice. It defintley hurt for me, not tons but it was very uncomfortable. It was awkward, painful and I cried afterwards.

I have since been back and it was not quite as bad. The more relaxed you are, the less it will hurt. It isn't nice, it's not a pleasant experience and everyone acknowledges that. When I went the nurse always tried to help by talking to me. The first time I was way too nervous so defintley try and have a chat because it will help put you at east.

Although it really is horrible it's a part of life and it will get easier each time you go, so take a deep breath and get it over with.

Good luck!

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by BabyIndia

I'm 20 and I haven't been called :/ Should I make an appointment myself?

It depends where you live, in the UK for example we don't start having exams until 25 whereas in the USA you have to have it done earlier (and before you get contraception in some states it seems, which is ridiculous and defintley will put girls off, but hey thats another story).

You are supposed to get tested for STI's between every different sexual partner, which is the reason why I've been.

[Thurineth]

Originally Posted by her_beautiful_mistake

It depends where you live, in the UK for example we don't start having exams until 25 whereas in the USA you have to have it done earlier (and before you get contraception in some states it seems, which is ridiculous and defintley will put girls off, but hey thats another story).

You are supposed to get tested for STI's between every different sexual partner, which is the reason why I've been.

You get called in for one when you're twenty in the UK, not 25.

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by Vlora

You get called in for one when you're twenty in the UK, not 25.

Ooh thats so good, when did it go down?

Just googled, apparently the age is 25.

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/ce...ncer-screening

[losing touch.]

In Scotland it is 20 but here it is 25. I believe there are plans to change it to 20 here also though.

[flowerchild32273]

well i live in the us. i have an appointment for tomorrow. im really nervous about it...

[Nicolette]

I've been told once you're sexually active you need one yearly, in any case they aren't such a huge deal. People make such huge deals and have such anxiety about their pap smears but they're really a piece of cake, besides do you know how many vagina's the doctor doing it has seen? He's not comparing anything, its all in a days work for him. Don't stress out about it at all, relax, breathe, and it'll be fine.

[flowerchild32273]

well it will be at my colleges health center so its a nurse practitioner not a gyn but they are all very nice and very helpful women. ive been there before for birth control and normal sickness.

[ghostoverground]

I've never had a pap smear but I've had at least 3 pelvic exams-- my first when I was 15 because I had to have emergency surgery to remove an ovarian cyst and correct ovarian torsion.. so since then I've had follow-ups, etc. I didn't really have any pain or discomfort. I thought the fact that the surgeon (who is now my gynecologist) was a guy would make it more awkward but I found no difference. Maybe even less awkward with a male, as long as he's middle-aged or old , hah.

[flowerchild32273]

i had the pelvic exam and it really wasnt that bad. i was expecting worse. i didnt have the pap smear because she didnt think i needed it but i did get an std screening just to be safe. thanks for the help ladies

[Justin Bieber]

Woohoo =]
Glad it went well!
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