Please help with this, i'm very nervous...women answer only please?

Question

please help, i have to go for a cervical smear soon and I've never had one before...

I'm very nervous and scared that it will hurt, part of the reason is that i was abused as a child and I really hate the idea of being looked at and touched down below by anyone but my fiance...i feel like i'm about to be sick just thinking of it...

what were your experiences of it?

i'm 21

Answer 1

Make sure before you go that it will be a Woman doing it for you hun, try a few deep breathing exercises and just try to send you head to a nice place. Imagine a beach, a waterfall..... anything to take your mind off of it. It doesn't hurt but it is a little uncomfortable and yes, it can be invasive BUT..... remember it would be a lot more uncomfortable and invasive in the long run if there was something wrong and it wasn't caught nice and early.  PLEASE go for it hun, yukky as it is it's so much better than dying (sorry but that's the long and short of it). Lots of luck chicken.

Bee

Answer 2

What you need to reaslise is that these proffessional people do this kind of test lots of times and have no interest in you personally. It can be a bit uncomfortable but not painful. At the end of the day, a few minutes of"embarassment" could save your life. Try to relax and be safe in the knowledge that millions of women have gone through the same thing with no after effects. I bet that once you have had your first one, you will be very happy to go regularly, as it was nothing really..

Answer 3

It's embarrassing, and uncomfortable but not painful. First they usually check your b*****s for lumps - they'll generally ask you to lift one arm over your head and feel around in circles quickly, then the other and do the same. Then it's very quick to get a smear done - they use a tool to open you up and use a long cotton swab to take a cell sample for testing. Then they usually feel for growths by putting a couple of fingers inside and one outside and do an easy "pinch" between them to feel around for just a minute to see if there are any nodes on your uterus or ovaries.

Nothing to be scared of, but it's not fun for you or them. Luckily, it's only a few minutes time and you're done.

Answer 4

i'm 15 years old and i'm a girl - so no worries. i just had a letter from my GP saying that i need a teenage health check, which includes a check 'down there'. i'm nervous too, but just remember that all women feel embarrassed when they go for these sort of checks, and that you will have a professional doing it. you're very brave for even considering going for a smear test, and i'm sure that everything will be ok! xx

Answer 5

If you don't want cancer it's the only way of them checking the cells. Will just have to grin and bear it. It would be odd if people actually liked having it done. Ask for a woman to do it as she probably has to have it done herself.

Answer 6

First of all, it's going to be okay.  You are doing this for your health and well being.  Explain to the doctor you are very scared and if you choose to, explain why.  They should be more sensitive and understanding with you.  

You have to be totally undressed.  They give you a gown or a paper blanket.  They usually do the pap smear first.  

The speculum is a little uncomfortable and might feel worse if you are tense so try to keep your legs and stomach muscles relaxed.  You can request they use a smaller speculum too.  Once they get the speculum in they do the pap smear pretty quickly.  It might feel weird or hurt a little bit but nothing overly unbearable.  

After that they insert a finger or two in your v****a to check your uterus and ovaries.  If you are tense it may hurt a bit so again, keep yourself relaxed.  Once that is done they check your b*****s.  

It's over pretty quick.  These doctors know it's uncomfortable and awkard for women.  What you can do is ask the doctor to tell you what he/she is doing so you know what to expect.

I hate this stuff too.  I've had many problems and I get sick to my stomach as well when I have to get the exam so I know how you feel.  You will get through it though.  Sweetie, you will be okay!  

Answer 7

I've never had any problems. Perhaps if you tell the Dr. or nurse beforehand about how and why you feel nervous. They will be sympathetic i'm sure.

The procedure is simple and it is very important that we ladies have these done! The Dr. will pop a rather cold, wet metal instrument inside that holds the v****a open so that he/she can pop a long cotton bud thingy in to dab onto the neck of your cervix. It doesn't hurt and sometimes you can't even feel that bit.

It helps to relax too.

Do not worry.

And there can be a female nurse present if you want - do not be afraid to ask.

Also maybe you should get some psychological help if you haven't already...

Best wishes x*x

Answer 8

Try not to worry so much - easier said than done though! It doesn't last long and isn't sore so just keep thinking that and before you know it will all be over. Good luck!

Answer 9

Well it's not my best thing ever but it's not horrendous. It doesnt hurt at all..you feel a bit embarressed of course but every time I have been I have been seen by different docs and they all have been great. The actual test is over in about 10 mins. There is a feeling of coldness a sensation of scrapeing..not sore and that is that. Keep breathing deeply and try and think of something else and you will be fine..honestly. I have had about 5 done and no probs at all. If it's just too much for you explain this to the doc your past abuse in advance and they may supply a mild sedative to ease your nerves

Good luck

Answer 10

Oh Darling,

                You need to have this done, it's not awful, and the other answers have told you all you need to now about he procedure so I don't need to say anything about that.

                You've done so well to put your past behind you. You say that you are comfortable with your fiance, and I presume that you've told him about the problems in your past? Take him with you!! Book it for a time when you can both go. Let him do some of the talking for you. You could speak to the nurse/doctor before, or have your fiance speak to them. They can't refuse him being with you, and I don't think they'd try to refuse anyway. Even if he's just there to hold your hand you'll feel so much more comfortable about it all.

             Take Care Sweetie, you'll be just fine,

             C x*x      

Answer 11

Well it doesnt really hurt. It doesnt take long for the doctor to do it. All the doc will do is use a plastic thing and get some skin and they he/she will feel around, but they really dont look they mostly feel. You will get in there and out fast.