You're going to put that where??!!!
For any woman who has ever had a pap test done, we all know how much fun these are.
For any of you that haven't, why not?
If you are at the age to be sexually active, you're at the age to be responsible for your health, and to take care of YOU.
A pap test can help diagnose precancerous conditions or cancer of the cervix or vagina.
It can also detect infection or inflammation in the reproductive tract.
Nobody I know likes having paps done, but we all know how important they are.
I'm sorry if this gets graphic, but I am going to explain what happens during the exam, and what it feels like for me.
When you do go for the first time, I hope you remember this blog and it gives you a bit of comfort knowing what to expect.
Being nervous is normal. I've been having them for years, and I still get a bit of a weird feeling in my stomach when I'm there.
The good thing is they don't take long, and one a pain scale, I would say 2 out of 10, and that's only for a few seconds.
Nothing that would make you scream or freak out.
First, book your appointment when you're not on your period. I don't know if this actually has an effect on the test, but it will be a lot more comfortable for you and the doctor, and I'm sure they would very much appreciate it.
24 hours before the test:
Don't have sex
Don't use any kind of vaginal sprays or douches
Make sure you tell the doctor before they start if you think you may have any kind of infections, or are being treated for one
Try to pee before they start (in the bathroom not on the table)
To begin, a nurse will have you take everything off from the waist down, get up on the bed and cover up with a sheet they give you.
They usually leave the room while you do this, but not always.
When they come back in, the doctor will have you lay on your back and put your feet in stirrups and tell you to let your knees fall outward.
They may have you scoot your bum down a bit until you are in a better position for the exam.
The doctor will place an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. These are either metal, or a clear plastic material and feel cold when they first touch you. The doctor will use a lubricant to make inserting this more comfortable. The speculum keeps the vagina open so the doctor can see the upper part of the vagina and cervix.
They will then use a small brush that scrapes the surface of the cervix to collect cells. This sounds horrible, but honestly it's not bad. They may also take samples from other parts down there too, but everything happens very quickly, so it's not like you have to lay there for an hour having your insides scraped. You probably won't even realize they've taken more than one sample if they don't tell you.
They remove the speculum and that's it. The doctor may choose to do an internal exam and ask you some questions about if your having any issues, honesty here may be embarrassing but it's very important. My doctor usually does a quick breast exam at the same time.
I get a mild cramp in my stomach every time I have a pap test done, but when the test is done so is the cramp. A tiny bit of bleeding may happen right after which is very normal, so I always wear a panty liner on that day.
The whole process takes about 15 minutes from beginning to end. The actual pap is about five minutes.
Remember to breath during this. The more you tense up the more you feel everything.
Concentrate on your breathing. Nice even breaths, let your tongue relax from the roof of your mouth, and relax your shoulders.
By the time you try to focus on those things, it's over.
Be brave, be responsible and be the best you.
Take care of YOU because you deserve it.
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