I got a papsmear over a year ago because I was sexually active, but other than detecting STD's I was wondering how important the darn things are. If it isn't too important than I'd rather not...that freaking hurt!! :evil:

the amount of pain while making that seems to depend on the doctor, so you might be luckier next time ?

It's important to do these things after 25 I think and then about every five years?

With that they can see cancer in a early (treatable) state. (hopefully)

They are very important. The main purpose of a Pap smear isn't to check for STD's but to screen for cervical cancer. I hadn't had a Pap in over 2 years, and this last time I went, it came back abnormal. Moderate to severe abnormality, possibly pre-cancerous. I have to go back in for a colposcopy (up close and personal with my cervix, basically) and a biopsy. I've never had an abnormal Pap before, and I don't have any existing risk factors.

While the most aggressive, invasive type of cervical cancer is linked to HPV, there are other types that have no real pattern and can show up at any time. You should have a Pap smear at least once a year if you are sexually active.

Psst...1vegan

VB gentlemen, please let this be a place for women to discuss "girl issues" amongst themselves. I doubt anyone would mind if you read, but please leave the replies to the women only, thanks. ^^
http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=452483&postcount=1
:)

:eek: :o

*chases 1vegan out of Women's Issues with a stick :whack:

;)

Sorry for hijacking your thread there Bizy. I also wanted to add, if you're actually feeling *pain* during your Pap, you should tell the doctor. It's normal to have some discomfort, even some mild cramping, but it shouldn't be painful. It can be a vicious cycle, because the more nervous you get, the more things tighten up, and the more discomfort you can have.

The last time I got a Pap smear, my dr told me that since I am in a monogamous relationship and have had 3 clean Pap smears in a row, I can wait 2 years, instead of having it done every year.

If your pelvic exam was painful, discuss it with your doctor. If you're not comfortable talking with your doctor about it, find another doctor! It really is important.

I think they're probably important, and the benefits probably outway the risks/discomfort. In the UK, you have them every 3-5 years. There is an article here about cancer testing, which brings up aome interesting points. http://www.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,3605,1144515,00.html

In Britain, all women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical smear test every three to five years. The government sets cervical screening targets for GPs - if they don't get certain numbers of women to have them, the practice gets less money. Doctors therefore tend to advocate screening rather than inform women of the complexities of all the risks and benefits.

There is no doubt that cervical screening saves lives (the Department of Health says it saves around 3,900 lives a year). But many women are ill-informed about the possible risks and benefits. Many of us, in the course of our routine screens, will undergo "false positive" tests which may lead to unnecessary further tests and panic. Many of us will face worrying recalls for repeat screenings. This is probably worthwhile if it saves lives.

But are we being allowed to decide for ourselves whether we want to participate? "People have the right to be told the truth in a non-misleading way," says Marshall. "If this leads them to make decisions that are different to the ones I would like them to take, that is their right. We have no right to force - or manipulate - competent adults into undergoing screening just because we think it is in the public interest."

Pap smears should NOT be painful! Perhaps a little uncomfortable (I mean lets think about the logisitics here) but definitely not painful. Get a new doc!

I'm only 16 and I went around and asked all of my friends who have had papsmears and they all said it hurt. Maybe it hurt because I'm a wuss or I DO hate my doctor :gun: or maybe just because I was nervous....

Was it that thing they stick up first to hold things open (yeah, I know, so technical - I can't think of what it's called) that hurt? I'll admit, the last time I had one done I was about to scream at my doctor because she was being pretty rough about it, but that was the only time I had a problem.

I've pretty much tried to forget the whole thing...but I'm pretty sure the overall experience hurt....I don't think my doctor likes me either....

You should try to find a doctor you're more comfortable with - see if your friends can recommend anyone. I've been to several different docs over the years and most of them I couldn't stand. I'm at a woman now who's good and easy to talk to, and I've been to another doctor who was a specialist who was absolutely fantastic. The whole thing might take years to even find someone you like, but it's important to keep up with appointments in the meantime since a lot of things that could go wrong down there a woman might not even notice until it's too late. Also, not to scare you or anything, but if you have sex before 18, you're more likely to develop cervical cancer.

If done properly it really should not hurt at all. I have never had a problem with any pain while getting one. Perhaps your doctor was too rough :( Find a new doc ASAP and try to go at least every two years, but once a year is best. Exams are important not just to keep an out out for any pre-cancerous changes but also to check for things like cysts and infections.

Thanks everyone for all of these responses! They are really helpful. Anything else I should know?

It's not true about them being done right = no pain.

In Canada, if you want to get your birth control every year, you have to have a pap.

Yeah that's why I had mine done...my doctor wanted to make sure everything was alright before I went on depo...and that I wasn't pregnant (that was also for my mom, though!)

They shouldn't be painful! I'd say my worst pap smear ever just felt like a menstrual cramp. (and pfft I can take a menstrual cramp any day!!) I do sometimes spot for a day or two afterwards, but thats normal too.

Vaginal ultrasound tho?? Woo! That was a humdinger. I wanted to claw my doctor's eyes out. She thought I had an ovarian cyst or something, and inserting a very large probe into a very virginal human female is no cake walk :P

ummmm......

It's not true about them being done right = no pain.

In Canada, if you want to get your birth control every year, you have to have a pap.

That is very true and very upsetting. :(
I hate them and they hurt a lot. I am even more afraid for if they find something, because I suffer from irrational and severe fear of medical procedures.

My last papsmear didn't hurt, but it was rather embarrassing. They couldn't find my cervix. I kept saying "it really is there!". They had to go away and get a more experienced nurse to find it. She had no difficulty at all. Definately, definately, getting someone who knows what they are doing is the go.

Also, ask about the different speculums (sp?). Apparently there was a new one released on the market a couple of years ago that makes all the difference.

How can a licenced doctor/nurse not be able to find your cervix? That's just stupid...I'd have been furious (and mortified) !! :evil:

Yes, I was mortified. The second nurse they called found it in like two seconds flat.

I'm in the U.S. and I believe you also have to get it every year for a birth control prescription here. I certainly do, anyway. I think the discomfort (although I wouldn't say it has ever been painful) is worth it for the peace of mind. At my last one, they totally freaked me out because they found something. I had to go to a specialist, and it turned out to be a benign fibroid. I guess that runs in my family and is no big deal as long as you keep an eye on it. I didn't get my first until I became sexually active, but then I've had them yearly ever since. I think it's a good idea to do it. You could always just go to Planned Parenthood. I have found them to be really nice and sensitive in the three cities where I've lived. They are really nice about accomodating you if you prefer to only see a female doctor, too.