Girls,what does a pap smear feel like?!
Question: When you go for a "pap smear," they actually do a complete pelvic exam.
You should take off all your clothes except your socks, but make sure you put the gown on that they give you. It opens in the back so it will feel like you are wearing it backwards, but that's how it is supposed to go. It doesn't matter if you shave or wax down there, because the doctors have a lot of experience with both shaved and non-shaved genitals and can do the pelvic exam equally as well regardless of the grooming of the area. They can still see everything they need to see and do everything they are supposed to do. Nothing is missed if you don't shave.
A breast examination is typically done before the pelvic examination. While you are sitting, the doctor inspects the breasts for irregularities, dimpling, tightened skin, lumps, and a discharge. Then you sit or lie down, with your arms above your head, while the doctor feels (palpates) each breast with a flat hand and examines each armpit for enlarged lymph nodes and for lumps and abnormalities. While performing the examination, the doctor may review the technique for breast self-examination with you.
During the pelvic examination, the woman lies on her back with her hips and knees bent and her buttocks moved to the edge of the examining table. Special pelvic examination tables have heel stirrups that help a woman maintain this position. If a woman wants to observe the pelvic examination, she should tell the doctor, who can provide a mirror. The doctor may explain the examination or review the findings before, during, or after the examination. For the examination, the doctor first inspects the external genital area and notes the distribution of hair and any abnormalities, discoloration, discharge, or inflammation. This examination may detect no abnormalities or may give clues to hormonal problems, cancer, infections, injury, or sexual abuse.
The doctor spreads the tissues around the opening of the vagina (labia) and examines the opening. Using a speculum (a metal or plastic instrument that spreads the walls of the vagina apart, which kind of looks like a duck bill), the doctor examines the deeper areas of the vagina and the cervix. The speculum goes into your vagina. It should not hurt, but it may feel uncomfortable and some pressure. If you have never used tampons or had intercourse, you can ask the doctor to use a pediatric speculum which is the smallest speculum available and it won't streth the vaginal walls as much as a normal sized speculum (which can be uncomfortable, but not painful, if you are not used to having things in your vagina). The cervix is examined closely for signs of irritation or cancer. The doctor may use a swab, brush, or small plastic spatula to obtain a sample of the cervical cells for testing, usually a Papanicolaou (Pap) test or a variation of it. You will feel the brush on your cervix but again, it does't hurt it just feels like pressure. The doctor checks for protrusion of the bladder, rectum, or intestine into the vagina.
After removing the speculum, the doctor feels the vaginal wall to determine its strength and support. The doctor also feels for growths or tender areas within the vagina. After inserting the index and middle fingers of one gloved hand into the vagina, the doctor places the fingers of the other hand on the lower abdomen above the pubic bone. Between the two hands, the uterus can usually be felt as a pear-shaped, smooth, firm structure, and its position, size, consistency, and degree of tenderness (if any) can be determined. Then the doctor attempts to feel the ovaries by moving the hand on the abdomen more to the side and exerting slightly more pressure. More pressure is required because the ovaries are small and much more difficult to feel than the uterus. The woman may find this part of the examination to be slightly uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. The doctor determines how large the ovaries are and whether they are tender.
A rectovaginal examination may be done. (Most doctors don't do this unless the woman is older than 50). The doctor inserts the index finger into the vagina and the middle finger into the rectum to examine, the back wall of the vagina for abnormal growths or thickness. In addition, the doctor can examine the rectum for hemorrhoids, fissures, polyps, and lumps. A small sample of stool can be obtained with a gloved finger and tested for unseen (occult) blood. A woman may be given a take-home kit to test for occult blood in the stool.
Cervical cytology testing (such as the Pap test) involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope. There are two types of cervical cytology: the conventional test and the liquid-based test. The clinician collects the sample by inserting a speculum into the vagina to spread the walls of the vagina apart and using a plastic spatula (similar to a tongue depressor) to remove some cells from the surface and opening of the cervix. Then, a small bristle brush is inserted into the passageway through the cervix (cervical canal) to obtain cells from the wall of the canal. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where it is examined under a microscope for abnormal cells, which may indicate precancerous changes or, rarely, cervical cancer. Usually, the Pap test feels scratchy or crampy, but it is not painful and takes only a few seconds.
Pap tests identify 80 to 85% of cervical cancers, even very early-stage cancer. They can also detect changes in cervical cells that can lead to cancer (precancerous changes). These changes, called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), can be treated, thus helping prevent cancer.
Pap tests are most accurate if the woman is not having her period and does not douche or use vaginal creams for at least 24 hours before the test. Experts recommend that women have the first test about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse but no later than age 21.
Answers: When you go for a "pap smear," they actually do a complete pelvic exam.
You should take off all your clothes except your socks, but make sure you put the gown on that they give you. It opens in the back so it will feel like you are wearing it backwards, but that's how it is supposed to go. It doesn't matter if you shave or wax down there, because the doctors have a lot of experience with both shaved and non-shaved genitals and can do the pelvic exam equally as well regardless of the grooming of the area. They can still see everything they need to see and do everything they are supposed to do. Nothing is missed if you don't shave.
A breast examination is typically done before the pelvic examination. While you are sitting, the doctor inspects the breasts for irregularities, dimpling, tightened skin, lumps, and a discharge. Then you sit or lie down, with your arms above your head, while the doctor feels (palpates) each breast with a flat hand and examines each armpit for enlarged lymph nodes and for lumps and abnormalities. While performing the examination, the doctor may review the technique for breast self-examination with you.
During the pelvic examination, the woman lies on her back with her hips and knees bent and her buttocks moved to the edge of the examining table. Special pelvic examination tables have heel stirrups that help a woman maintain this position. If a woman wants to observe the pelvic examination, she should tell the doctor, who can provide a mirror. The doctor may explain the examination or review the findings before, during, or after the examination. For the examination, the doctor first inspects the external genital area and notes the distribution of hair and any abnormalities, discoloration, discharge, or inflammation. This examination may detect no abnormalities or may give clues to hormonal problems, cancer, infections, injury, or sexual abuse.
The doctor spreads the tissues around the opening of the vagina (labia) and examines the opening. Using a speculum (a metal or plastic instrument that spreads the walls of the vagina apart, which kind of looks like a duck bill), the doctor examines the deeper areas of the vagina and the cervix. The speculum goes into your vagina. It should not hurt, but it may feel uncomfortable and some pressure. If you have never used tampons or had intercourse, you can ask the doctor to use a pediatric speculum which is the smallest speculum available and it won't streth the vaginal walls as much as a normal sized speculum (which can be uncomfortable, but not painful, if you are not used to having things in your vagina). The cervix is examined closely for signs of irritation or cancer. The doctor may use a swab, brush, or small plastic spatula to obtain a sample of the cervical cells for testing, usually a Papanicolaou (Pap) test or a variation of it. You will feel the brush on your cervix but again, it does't hurt it just feels like pressure. The doctor checks for protrusion of the bladder, rectum, or intestine into the vagina.
After removing the speculum, the doctor feels the vaginal wall to determine its strength and support. The doctor also feels for growths or tender areas within the vagina. After inserting the index and middle fingers of one gloved hand into the vagina, the doctor places the fingers of the other hand on the lower abdomen above the pubic bone. Between the two hands, the uterus can usually be felt as a pear-shaped, smooth, firm structure, and its position, size, consistency, and degree of tenderness (if any) can be determined. Then the doctor attempts to feel the ovaries by moving the hand on the abdomen more to the side and exerting slightly more pressure. More pressure is required because the ovaries are small and much more difficult to feel than the uterus. The woman may find this part of the examination to be slightly uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. The doctor determines how large the ovaries are and whether they are tender.
A rectovaginal examination may be done. (Most doctors don't do this unless the woman is older than 50). The doctor inserts the index finger into the vagina and the middle finger into the rectum to examine, the back wall of the vagina for abnormal growths or thickness. In addition, the doctor can examine the rectum for hemorrhoids, fissures, polyps, and lumps. A small sample of stool can be obtained with a gloved finger and tested for unseen (occult) blood. A woman may be given a take-home kit to test for occult blood in the stool.
Cervical cytology testing (such as the Pap test) involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope. There are two types of cervical cytology: the conventional test and the liquid-based test. The clinician collects the sample by inserting a speculum into the vagina to spread the walls of the vagina apart and using a plastic spatula (similar to a tongue depressor) to remove some cells from the surface and opening of the cervix. Then, a small bristle brush is inserted into the passageway through the cervix (cervical canal) to obtain cells from the wall of the canal. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where it is examined under a microscope for abnormal cells, which may indicate precancerous changes or, rarely, cervical cancer. Usually, the Pap test feels scratchy or crampy, but it is not painful and takes only a few seconds.
Pap tests identify 80 to 85% of cervical cancers, even very early-stage cancer. They can also detect changes in cervical cells that can lead to cancer (precancerous changes). These changes, called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), can be treated, thus helping prevent cancer.
Pap tests are most accurate if the woman is not having her period and does not douche or use vaginal creams for at least 24 hours before the test. Experts recommend that women have the first test about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse but no later than age 21.
Honestly, you can barely feel it. They take a little, well long, swab and insert it. But the doctor will explain everything as she's doing it. It's a little creepy having someone down there but you barely feel a thing.
it doesnt hurt but it does feel kinda wierd at first but it doesnt hurt some women.it is always good to get it done every year. to fight cancer.
It really doesn't hurt that much. It is ackward and you feel a little pressure, but no real pain. Although you can have some spootting after. Your Dr. should talk you through it completely.
I found this online, maybe it will help you understand what is done and how it feels....
How is a Pap test done?
Your doctor can do a Pap test during a pelvic exam. It is a simple and quick test. While you lie on an exam table, the doctor puts an instrument called a speculum into your vagina, opening it to see the cervix. She will then use a special stick or brush to take a few cells from inside and around the cervix. The cells are placed on a glass slide and sent to a lab for examination. While usually painless, a Pap test is uncomfortable for some women.