[la di dah]

So anyway, being the redneck that I am, I have had 1 gyno visit in my life to date. It was pretty unpleasant, I needed painkillers after the exam. And it was only a basic exam/smear.

This was in 2008 and I haven't done it again, partially because of coverage/billing issues - no health insurance etc. etc. - and partially because I am a huge, avoidant, sobbing idiot.

But you know what? I hear that a) they're helpful for TTC and b) if I DO manage to get pregnant, probably someone will eventually want to look at, or even touch, my bits. For non-recreational purposes.

Anyway, I am scared. But what do I need to do to be ready for my visit tomorrow? I have trimmed the hedges and stuff but don't really feel like going total hairless for the first time the day before the visit because what if she's distracted with my ingrowns or whatever?

What are the done things? I don't stink or have anything graphically wrong, as far as I know, so is it fair to assume it's hard to frighten a person who does pap smears for a living?

Can I take ibuprofen beforehand?

You can make as much fun of me as you want if you post anything helpful.

[Guest_zeus359_*]

I hate going for pap smears or anything like that too, but the reality is they really don't care as long as you are clean.

[Apageintime]

I always tell them as soon as I'm through the door that I'm a bit nervous and I haven't been in a while. I find doctors understand this and go out of their way to help me.

I had a really bad pap smear 6 years ago (Canberra is a hard place to find a decent lady doctor) and when I got up the courage to go back I told the new doc about my experience and my fears, she was so great about it.

So I think, be honest with the doc, wear your good undies (but not the super lacy ones) wet wipe 'down there' before if you feel you need a freshen up, and accept it will be awkward as hell.

I always like to remind myself that I'm sure the doc has seen way worse than my bits for a routine pap smear so she won't even remember them when she goes home that day.

[Therese]

I am sure it is incredibly hard to scare a gyno. And as long as you are clean I am sure they don't even notice anything else.

I hope your appointment goes well.

[Allymeg69]

Relax! .... I know, easier to say than to do, but consider this - a lot of gynos also do obstetrics work as well, so they will have seen a woman's nether regions in a lot worse condition than when just doing a smear.

Like the PP said, just clean is fine. I try to schedule my smear appts first thing in the morning so I can have a shower and get there while I am still fresh.

If you feel the need for a painkiller beforehand I don't see why that would be a problem, but really, a properly done smear test, even with the current method using a little brush thingy, shouldn't give significant pain, I've only ever noticed a tickling sensation, but if you tense up too much it might make things worse.

And thanks, you've just reminded me I need to book my next smear!

Good luck

[Lucretia Borgia]

Yep..what Zeus said....honestly, they have seen it all before.....depending on what kind of exam you think you might have take a nurofen or a naprogesic .....oh and re pregnancy: I had some (relatively) invasive stuff TTC (a HyCoSy.. Not nice think Pap smear ON STEROIDS) but throughout my entire pregnancy I din not have one internal exam. Zip. Nada. Good luck!

Edited because my iPad keyboard hates me.....

This post has been edited by Lucretia Borgia: 13/11/2012, 12:58 PM

[meggs1]

You made me LOL

Good on you for going back.

The doctor will have seen hundreds and hundreds of them, and won't care in the slightest. Besides they dont really look that much, they have a sheet over you and they know where they are going.

I'd be open with the doctor that you are nervous about the exam and had some pain last time.

FWIW I had a hycosy (a type of scan of the uterus) and they advised taking nurofen an hour before so I don't think there would be a problem.

Oh snap LB.

This post has been edited by meggs1: 13/11/2012, 12:59 PM

[noi'mnot]

By all means take a painkiller beforehand, if you think it will help. There aren't any "expectations", though, apart from basic hygiene. People who look at vulvas and vaginas for a living are used to working with all lengths of hair, all shapes and sizes.

I'm sorry that your last visit was so bad. It really shouldn't be - a pap smear should not involve anything beyond minor discomfort, unless there is a medical reason for anything else*. Sometimes anxiety and stress can make it more uncomfortable because when you're tense your whole body tenses up in anticipation, making it more painful. If you are in to using relaxation techniques, these might help you to make your experience tomorrow easier. I would also recommend that you let your care provider know, as soon as you walk in the door, that your last experience was so painful and you're nervous. It's their job to make you feel relaxed and at ease and comfortable.

Good luck!





*Also, sometimes women with a history of sexual assault, or difficult pap smears in the past, or a wide variety of other reasons, find pap smears to be really uncomfortable/painful. This is really normal, and can be managed with an understanding and experienced care provider.

[causeway]

I have an IVF baby. After everything I've been through, a papsmear is a walk in the park! Maybe keep this in mind! Yes, it's uncomfortable, but only for a few minutes and the benefits certainly outweigh not having it done. Think of all the people who will want to have a look, touch, feel etc. if you needed treatment because you didn't have regular check ups. Also, (this thought helps me...) Who am I to think that my bits are so exceptional that they are going to be ingrained in the OBs mind forever?. I hope this helps. It only takes a few minutes!

[suziej]

I would probably mention your fears and issues up front - if you are too afraid to voice them, write down that you have had a previous bad experience and would like your fears to be put to rest before going into harness (that was a joke) - hopefully s/he has had enough training to be considerate and understanding.