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age
30-35,
anonymous
writes: I am 23 and I am having my first smear test Thursday, I am absolutely petrified, im shaking thinking about it, can anyone give me advice I hope im not the only one that feels like this? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, So_Very_Confused  +, writes (9 February 2012):
 It's thursday and I'm thinking of you...
and glitter... EWO I love that story!
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female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (8 February 2012):
 This post reminds me of a story I heard. A woman goes to get a pap smear and while her legs are up in the sirrups and the drape is over her legs the doctor comes in and says to her, "Well well we certainly got all dress up for the occasion!" Puzzled, the woman reflected on her activities prior to her doctor's appointment. Apparently she had been shopping then rushed home to give herself a quick once over with a wash cloth before she hurried out the door to go to her appointment. Then she remembered wiping the sink that morning after her teenage daughter had spilled some glitter after applying her makeup for the school play. Dressed up indeed!
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female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (8 February 2012):
It’s scary the first time… ask the nurse to hold your hand. TELL the doctor you are scared and tense. It’s NORMAL to be that way. I’ve been having pap smears since I was 14 years old (I had terrible PMS and needed to be on hormones so paps were necessary)
IF you are a virgin he can use a smaller speculum and hopefully it’s plastic and not too cold…
You will lay back put your legs in the stirrups and have a paper draped over you… you will have to spread your legs and feel violated… it’s over in 30 seconds… you may spot afterwards slightly…
You may feel pressure but not really pain.. some light cramping later on maybe if you are very sensitive.
WHAT they don’t warn you about and you can see if your doctor will do it, is that after the PAP many doctors if thorough are doing a brief quick ANAL exam takes 2 seconds… feels weird… and poof you are done… get dressed come into my office and talk….
If I was with you I would come hold your hand.. can mom or a friend go with you will that help?
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reader, anonymous, writes (8 February 2012): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionnono i have had sex lol ive gotta boyfriend....just avoided it lk the plague theyve sent me two letters lol its just thought of being exposed and its embarassing
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reader, anonymous, writes (7 February 2012): There's no need to be so scared.
What exactly is scaring you about it?
I had one just before Xmas & believe you,me getting the "all clear" is better than worrying that there could be something wrong.
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female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (7 February 2012):
 I still hate it, but it has to get done. Just know that gyno have seen it all before. And if you relax and just close your eyes ( or if you have a good gyno like mine) you look at the picture in the ceiling. It will be over in no time.
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female
reader, person12345 +, writes (7 February 2012):
 What part scares you? It doesn't hurt, it's mostly just uncomfortable (more mentally than physically). Just remember they've seen EVERYTHING and you look normal, no matter what you look like. As women we're all taught to think our genitals are disgusting and ugly, but they're not ugly, smelly, or disgusting.
Your gyno has seen vulvas in all colors shapes and sizes in all states of cleanliness and sweatiness and bloodiness and in various states of infection and covered in blisters and hairiness and during birth and immediately after, trust me she's not sitting there judging aesthetics, she's thinking, is that freckle cancerous, how can I get this speculum in in the least uncomfortable way? I promise there is NOTHING you can present her with that she hasn't seen and that you look completely normal. The only thing she will see when she looks is, healthy or not healthy.
If you're nervous about the sensation, it's certainly not a typical feeling thing, but if you can relax your muscles it won't hurt. One piece of advice for your first time, don't look at the speculum. It looks much scarier than it feels. I remember my first visit, she showed me the speculum and I was PETRIFIED. It looked massive and I was thinking no way can that fit in there! But it did and it didn't hurt at all. I mean you can feel it, but it doesn't hurt if you relax your PC muscles. If it hurts speak up and she can get a smaller one. They will look with a flashlight then they will use two small brushes. One looks like a silicone cooking brush and they will brush the outside of your cervix. I never even feel that one. Then they will take another brush that looks like a pipecleaner and brush the inside of your cervix. This one can cause feelings like a light period cramp, but it's not bad at all. Then she may ask if you want an STD test, where they use long cotton swaps. Can't feel them at all.
The second part she will use lube and feel the inside of your vaginal canal with her fingers. This part is the most uncomfortable, but they will usually do it second and they can talk you through it. It's very quick, shouldn't take longer than a few seconds.
I know it's scary, but once you walk out I promise you'll be thinking it wasn't so bad. My first I was so scared I could barely make myself go in, but I did it and I haven't been scared since.
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female
reader, YouWish +, writes (7 February 2012):
 Oh, it sucks, to be sure, but not in any way that's terrifying!
I'm guessing you've never had sex before, if you're having your first pap smear? If I'm incorrect, and you are sexually active, then this will be a breeze.
The doctor takes something called a speculum (I call them the spaghetti tongs or salad tossers), and if he (or she)'s good, he'll warm them up. Then once that part's done, he takes a big Q-tip, does the little smear part (takes all of 5 seconds and you barely feel it), takes a quick look, and you're done!
If you aren't sexually active, make sure you tell the doctor. The key to the least discomfort is to do something that I know will be next to impossible. It's to relax. The more you're tense, the more uncomfortable you'll be.
When I did my first, I was not sexually active yet. A friend of mine told me to concentrate on my breathing to relax. You breathe in slowly and count to 10 in your mind as you inhale, and then count to 10 slowly in your mind as you exhale.
Like this:
**breathe in slowly as you count** 1...2...3...4....5....6...7...8....9...10
**hold breath for a second**
**breathe out slowly as you count**
1....2....3....4.....5.....6.....7.....8....9....10
The worst part is when the speculum is being inserted. However, if you breathe and let your pelvis and legs go limp like Jell-O, it'll go fast. Once they're in, the hard part is over. Then it's ***Q-tip***, then they'll take out the speculum, then you're done!
Like Aunty Em says -- you'll be fine! Just let your doctor know if you're not sexually active yet!
During my first time when I was terrified, my doctor make me laugh when he was trying to calm me down...he said, "Don't worry! You'll be okay when I insert this! It'll be natural, just like your husband!"
I responded "If my husband were to have a spaghetti-tonged penis made of metal, I'd want a divorce!". It was easy after that, because I laughed the whole time just thinking about it. I was single, by the way. :P
You'll be okay! When my son was a little kid and I had to take him for shots (poor kid!), I would tell him that it was just a few little pinches, and then I'd take him out for some ice cream afterward. Maybe you should do something nice for yourself after this is done. Get a treat or buy something nice. Have something to look forward to after the unpleasantry is over with!
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reader, anonymous, writes (7 February 2012): Its a doddle, no need to stress. Its over in a few minutes. No woman looks forward to it but it really is way better to have it and know your healthy.Just focus on why your having it done.
The nurse who did one of mine was just doing the smear when she said 'oh you must know my son'( I was like - WHAT?!!)
- turned out she meant he was working at the same place as me during his holidays.
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female
reader, AuntyEm  +, writes (7 February 2012):
 It is really nothing to worry about. It's a bit uncomfortable but is over in a few seconds. The more you relax the quicker it is...really it will be fine!!!
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