Pap Smear.. (female only please)

Hi, I was just wondering how often pap smears should be done, I am 19 and have never ever gotten one, coz I was well, afraid. But now I'm single and well you know, 'active' I figured it should be something I should get done at long last.

I was also wondering what the process involves, and if they can also check for STDs at the same time or if it was just a check or what not. I have no idea. 

You should get a pap as soon as you become active. its a simple process, the doctor will use the "duck bill" (which isnt painful) to spread you open a little (for lack of better term). she will then swab your cervix - which you can't feel and then release the bill and you are done.  they can and usually offer to test for std's  and will even do a HIV test if you'd like.

This is nothing to be afraid of. The doctor will probably also do a general exam - check your breasts for lumps, feel around your throat and belly and the like.

Its a painless process - and you definately should get it done.  

You should do it once a year just to be safe.

Yes, you should.  It's recommended to have it done yearly once you become sexually active.

Here's some info on what's done:  http://women.webmd.com/guide/pap-smear

Basically you lay on an exam table while they do the exam.  You may feel some pressure but it's really not that bad.  The doctors I've been too are good at explaining what they are doing and making it as uncomfortable as possible.  Just tell them it's your first exam and they'll treat you well (or should anyway).

And yes, you can and should check for STDs at the same time. 

Ha, I *just* got back from a pap smear. I'm 22, btw.

I believe they are supposed to be done every year. But don't worry, its really not that big of a deal and its nothing to be afraid of. If its your first time, you should really go for an exam at a gynecologist (an exam is just a pap smear plus something feeling around to check for lumps that could indicate cysts or cancer). They can check for STDs, just make sure you let them know, because they don't always to it automatically.

So basically, here's what happens . . . The doctor will make you lay down and put your feet in stirrups (if its a male doctor, he is required to have a female nurse in the room). Then the doc will insert a small device called a spectrum, which they usually warm and lubricate, so you'll hardly feel it. The spectrum is kind of like a tube and will allow the doc to insert a small, q-tip like object. S/he pretty much just swabs the inside of your vagina with the q-tip object. Then the spectrum comes out and you're done! If you spring for the exam, the doc will also insert two fingers (afterwards) and just feel around for any inconsistencies.

I hope that answered some questions. I actually think the spectrum is pretty similar to inserting a tampon, its roughly the same size (you can ask for the smallest if you'd like) and its not that noticeable. Even if you are uncomfortable, the whole process takes about 10 seconds.

Best of luck!

they will usually swab for chlamydia and gonorrhea... you have to ask for syphillis. pap smears are very important. they also look to make sure there is nothing visually out of place and check your ovaries and uterus during the exam.

im not sure for who it is painless, but for me it is quite uncomfortable and i do spot afterwards. but... my first pap smear might have saved my life-- i had high grade dysplasia that was 1 step away from cancer. it was caught early enough that i had a simple procedure to remove the abnormal cells. the procedure didnt put my fertility at risk and was painless.

go! get a pap smear! cervical cancer is almost 100 percent curable when caught early and it is extremely slow moving-- pap smears can save your life! also some stds dont have obvious symptoms, and the pap will catch those as well. if you dont have insurance, check out planned parenthood, or your college clinic.

 

edit: its called a speculum and they swab your cervix, not your vagina.  but same basic principle as the post above. 

Whoa. Thanks for all the speedy replies. Still a bit freaked out, but it must be done 

You may be more comfortable with a female doctor.

I'd go once a year. I heard somewhere that if you're young and healthy you can do it every two years but I go once a year for safety.

I think the instrument they insert is actually called a speculum.

Man. These replies confuse me a bit. When I got mine done it was pretty painful. =/

Very shortlasting though and it needs to be done.

Yes, definitely go get one.  They can be a little uncomfortable, but basically the more relaxed you are the better.  If you tense up your muscles it is more uncomfortable, so just try to (excuse the graphic expression" "let it all hang out" and it will be much easier. 

 As for the sex of the doc, some people feel more comfortable with a male doctor for that stuff, and others feel more comfortable with a female doctor.  Go with your feelings. 

Just a clarification. In the US, a male doctor is not required to have a chaperone or female nurse in the room. I personally don't think this is a big deal, but if you feel more comfortable going to a female doctor you should do that.

I looked at all the other post and didn't see this mentioned. Don't be surprised if they do an anal exam ( not sure if that's what they call it). I've been to two diff. doctors and one didn't do this. My second doctor did and I was shocked because I wasn't warned at all! They simple lubercate two fingers and put them in your butt. I was in such shock when this happened I asked a friend, who said she had experienced the same thing.

 

Let your doctor know it's your first one!

They just changed the guidelines for pap smears.  You're not supposed to go in until you're 21, unless you've been having sex for over 3 years.  And then you're only supposed to go every two years if your pap is normal.  I think maybe if it's abnormal, too, but I'm not sure.  My doctor actually turned me away the other day because I'm only 20!  Call your doctor and ask to see if they're following these guidelines, yet.

You can ask for an STD test in addition to a pap smear, but they don't do them automatically.  It's really not a bad process, the pap I mean.  Maybe a little uncomfortable the first time to have someone you don't know poking around down there, but it's alright.  Stare at the ceiling and think of your favorite song or place, haha!  They're usually pretty quick and professional, too.  No worries.  Plus you don't have to go for 2 more years!

I've went yearly, shortly after I became 'active', to get my birth control prescription. My last one was on my 23rd birthday. It can be embarrassing for some, but the doctors are used to it. You just go and get it over with.

I've never had an STD test done, they've never offered. I kinda assume if something LOOKS wrong, they'll let me know I need one. Haha. My [now] fiancé had one about 6 months after we got together (court ordered, long story) and his was clear, so I assume if I had something he would have got it by then and it would have showed up by then.

Some of the STD test require a blood test, I do believe. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong. 

I am mortified about some of the comments!  HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease and is estimated that 1 out of every 2 (yes, half the population) will contract a form at some point in their adult life.  HPV has many forms, but can lead to cancer or other health problems and usually has no symtoms so it can be undetected for years and does not show up on a regular pap test.  So saying you have to be sexually active for 3 years is dangerous.  An annual exam should be scheduled for any female that is sexually active, even if you use condoms and are under 20.  You can get tested for HPV and should be automatic after 30, but have to request it prior to that age.  If you test and it is negative, consider getting the vaccine, do research.  I started getting them done at 17 and go every year...should do self breast exams monthly too.

in re hpv: unless you have abnormal pap smears, it is unnecessary to test for HPV precisely because it is so prevalent.  a majority of the strains are transient infections and do nothing.  a handful cause genital warts and another handful (but not the same handfuls) cause cervical changes that can lead to cancer.

if you get an ascus (abnormal squamous cells of undetermined significance) or worse, they will usually auto test you for hpv (either in a repeat sample, from the original sample, or during a colposcopy).  some clinics are now testing for hpv automatically for sexually active people but it is my understanding this is rare and is only effective when there has been a possibility of the infection being introduced: new partners, infidelity, etc.

additionally, the hpv test is most helpful the younger you are rather than older as as we get older we are more likely to be monogamous and therefore less likely to become infected with a new strain. 

and yes, you should get the hpv vaccine.