Medical professionals help RE Smear tests?!
Question: Medical professionals help RE Smear tests!?
Hi,
OK I need some advise/help!! I made a TENTH attempt to have a Smear test recently!. I know the fact I am a Nurse should make it easier But I am at a complete loss as to what to do!. This last time I convinced myself I wouldn't care how much it hurt, it would be over quick enough and the benefits out -weigh the uncomfortableness of it!. But STILL it didn't happen!. I don't get uncomfortable because my GP is male, it really doesn't bother me, neither do I feel embarrassed (I'd rather have him doing it then the abhorrent Practice Nurse that is there!.!.not quite sure why she is tolerated!)!. I actually prefer a male doctor than a female doctor, this isn't correct what I am about to say next and sounds sexists (specially considering I am a female) but I feel in 'safer hands' with a male Dr than a female Dr (like I say this isn't really a correct way of thinking!) I don't feel embarrassed at all!.!.!.I know some women do feel embarrassed about having a smear test, but Nurses and doctors go into a complete 'medical mode' when dealing with human body parts, so It isn't that!.
Embarrassing was an understatement this time, to say the least!!!!! The Dr managed to insert the speculum about 1cm before I screeched in pain, completely tensed up and clamped by legs together shut, with his arm THERE!. And I didn't realise!? In the end he said, "can I have my arm back please"!! It was soooo embarrassing!!! I just find it so painful and I cant figure out why!. I am 5ft and I always figured, small women have small parts but that shouldn't really make any difference, the vagina, regardless of height is capable of stretching enough to fit a baby through!. I'm just so tight there, I don't know what to do!. I don't think it's psychological, I mean, I see no reason for it to be!.
I've had Fenton's operation which made no difference whatsoever!.!. I cant go through my life without having a smear test and I can't possibly go under GA just for a smear!. One suggestion my mother made (also a GP) is I should have a gynecologist do the smear which may be better as they are more used to doing it and do it day in and day out!.!. but I don't see how this would make any difference!. It isn't that the Dr is doing anything wrong, its me!.I even find it difficult using tampons, I'm 22, it took me till I was 18 to master using them! The Dr used the smallest speculum possible, being 22 I know it isn't absolutely VITAL that I have a smear test at the moment, but I do feel once one becomes sexually active a smear test should be done every three years!. So anyway he couldn't do the smear test and when I came out of the surgery and got in my car, for some reason I burst into tears!. I can' figure out why, I know some women say they feel violated, I don't know what I felt to be honest and I know the importance of having a smear test; I also know the consequences of not having one and then risking pre-cancerous cells not being detected and of course developing C of the cervix is far more painful than any smear test!. So I can talk the talk, but not walk the walk! I even have answered questions on here telling other women it isn't that painful and it's vital one has them!. I guess it's because I know it shouldn't be painful and for most women it isn't, just uncomfortable!.It just seems to hurt the further up the speculum goes!. Sex hurts too, and we have to stop after awhile!.My GP said it isn't a real problem, I'm only 22 and as I have only had one sexual partner I'm unlikely at risk, but, there is still a risk, not all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, although I've never seen a nun with cervical cancer! I'm aware I am ranting again, so I'm going to leave it at that!.!.Does anyone else have this issue!? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated!.!. sorry if this question has been long, I have made a mental note to myself to try in future to condense my words!!
Rhianna
!.
The only thing I can think of that might have been a factor is the very first time a smear test was attempted, was when I was 18 and just joined the Army!. It was an Army Dr that attempted it and wasn't very gentle and clearly irritated about having to do Gynecological exams! He was kinda old school and felt women didn't belong in the Army!Www@Answer-Health@Com
OK I need some advise/help!! I made a TENTH attempt to have a Smear test recently!. I know the fact I am a Nurse should make it easier But I am at a complete loss as to what to do!. This last time I convinced myself I wouldn't care how much it hurt, it would be over quick enough and the benefits out -weigh the uncomfortableness of it!. But STILL it didn't happen!. I don't get uncomfortable because my GP is male, it really doesn't bother me, neither do I feel embarrassed (I'd rather have him doing it then the abhorrent Practice Nurse that is there!.!.not quite sure why she is tolerated!)!. I actually prefer a male doctor than a female doctor, this isn't correct what I am about to say next and sounds sexists (specially considering I am a female) but I feel in 'safer hands' with a male Dr than a female Dr (like I say this isn't really a correct way of thinking!) I don't feel embarrassed at all!.!.!.I know some women do feel embarrassed about having a smear test, but Nurses and doctors go into a complete 'medical mode' when dealing with human body parts, so It isn't that!.
Embarrassing was an understatement this time, to say the least!!!!! The Dr managed to insert the speculum about 1cm before I screeched in pain, completely tensed up and clamped by legs together shut, with his arm THERE!. And I didn't realise!? In the end he said, "can I have my arm back please"!! It was soooo embarrassing!!! I just find it so painful and I cant figure out why!. I am 5ft and I always figured, small women have small parts but that shouldn't really make any difference, the vagina, regardless of height is capable of stretching enough to fit a baby through!. I'm just so tight there, I don't know what to do!. I don't think it's psychological, I mean, I see no reason for it to be!.
I've had Fenton's operation which made no difference whatsoever!.!. I cant go through my life without having a smear test and I can't possibly go under GA just for a smear!. One suggestion my mother made (also a GP) is I should have a gynecologist do the smear which may be better as they are more used to doing it and do it day in and day out!.!. but I don't see how this would make any difference!. It isn't that the Dr is doing anything wrong, its me!.I even find it difficult using tampons, I'm 22, it took me till I was 18 to master using them! The Dr used the smallest speculum possible, being 22 I know it isn't absolutely VITAL that I have a smear test at the moment, but I do feel once one becomes sexually active a smear test should be done every three years!. So anyway he couldn't do the smear test and when I came out of the surgery and got in my car, for some reason I burst into tears!. I can' figure out why, I know some women say they feel violated, I don't know what I felt to be honest and I know the importance of having a smear test; I also know the consequences of not having one and then risking pre-cancerous cells not being detected and of course developing C of the cervix is far more painful than any smear test!. So I can talk the talk, but not walk the walk! I even have answered questions on here telling other women it isn't that painful and it's vital one has them!. I guess it's because I know it shouldn't be painful and for most women it isn't, just uncomfortable!.It just seems to hurt the further up the speculum goes!. Sex hurts too, and we have to stop after awhile!.My GP said it isn't a real problem, I'm only 22 and as I have only had one sexual partner I'm unlikely at risk, but, there is still a risk, not all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, although I've never seen a nun with cervical cancer! I'm aware I am ranting again, so I'm going to leave it at that!.!.Does anyone else have this issue!? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated!.!. sorry if this question has been long, I have made a mental note to myself to try in future to condense my words!!
Rhianna
!.
The only thing I can think of that might have been a factor is the very first time a smear test was attempted, was when I was 18 and just joined the Army!. It was an Army Dr that attempted it and wasn't very gentle and clearly irritated about having to do Gynecological exams! He was kinda old school and felt women didn't belong in the Army!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Firstly I must say that I sympathise with your problem, I have come across 9 or 10 women over the years with similar responses to your own when suggesting that they book for overdue smears!. Also though both men and women doctors and nurses can be rough when performing smears, my experience has been that women often seem to complain more about women performing their smears than men!.
Also some of the most unpleasant and misogynistic male gynaecologists often perform smears very gently!.
I am hopefully not being any more big headed, than I might appear anyway, when I say that I did manage to persuade most of those women to let me try and perform a smear for them and I genuinely did manage all of them without distressing or hurting one woman!.
Firstly I reassured them that i would stop if they were too uncomfortable!. When performing the smear I allowed and gave as much time as it needed, stopping and waiting for them to feel comfortable after every movement, with a very long delay before opening the speculum, and then doing his painstakingly slowly!. I talked and reassured though out the procedure and it just always came out OK!. I might add that I ignored the current recommendation which is not to use lubricant gel but just warm water, ( to improve the quality of the smear,) much to the disapproval of my practice nurse!.
If there is a trick to this it is always give any patient, for ANY procedure as long as it takes, if everyone else has to wait so be it!. I always apologised to patients when I did run late, which I have always tended to do since I entered practice!. But if anyone complained about my lateness I always told them I would give their problem as long as was needed also!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Also some of the most unpleasant and misogynistic male gynaecologists often perform smears very gently!.
I am hopefully not being any more big headed, than I might appear anyway, when I say that I did manage to persuade most of those women to let me try and perform a smear for them and I genuinely did manage all of them without distressing or hurting one woman!.
Firstly I reassured them that i would stop if they were too uncomfortable!. When performing the smear I allowed and gave as much time as it needed, stopping and waiting for them to feel comfortable after every movement, with a very long delay before opening the speculum, and then doing his painstakingly slowly!. I talked and reassured though out the procedure and it just always came out OK!. I might add that I ignored the current recommendation which is not to use lubricant gel but just warm water, ( to improve the quality of the smear,) much to the disapproval of my practice nurse!.
If there is a trick to this it is always give any patient, for ANY procedure as long as it takes, if everyone else has to wait so be it!. I always apologised to patients when I did run late, which I have always tended to do since I entered practice!. But if anyone complained about my lateness I always told them I would give their problem as long as was needed also!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You of all people should know how important this test is, so stop being so silly and get it done, It could save your life!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I hope your Dr rapes you and i hope dr franks rapes you *****Www@Answer-Health@Com
What I would not give to have been that Doctor doing the test!
will you marry me!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
will you marry me!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Hello I am not a professional but my wife has had several smear test because of unusual cells and she saw your question and said tell her to try going to a family planning clinic, normally they are female doctors and they are always working at that end of a woman's body, it also might relax you more as she will have had done to her what you are trying to achieve!. Perhaps they could administer a muscle relaxant before trying to carry out your smear test
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Hi Rhianna,
I see a lady in my work who has similar issues and has been unable to have a smear like you ,she has the broad diagnosis of vaginismus and her consultant gyn has got her using vaginal training cones increasing the size over a period of months so she can be in control of her own body again-might be worth a go hun and finding out if it would be appropriate for you-good luck xWww@Answer-Health@Com
I see a lady in my work who has similar issues and has been unable to have a smear like you ,she has the broad diagnosis of vaginismus and her consultant gyn has got her using vaginal training cones increasing the size over a period of months so she can be in control of her own body again-might be worth a go hun and finding out if it would be appropriate for you-good luck xWww@Answer-Health@Com
Hi rhianna, well i did answer your question but its been removed, so has the one from a nasty girl who we all know, not sure why mine was removed, but hey, hope you get your problem sorted, x http://www!.queendom!.com/advices/advice!.h!.!.!. here is the link hun, its really intresting, and i think this could the the reason for your problem, good luck, hope this helps!.xWww@Answer-Health@Com
You could so have condensed this to: 'I am too tight to have a smear test'
Anyway, so your problem is quite clearly you're not relaxed enough!.
This might sound a bit odd, but try practising at home, so you get used to what it feels like to 'untense' your muscles!. You got to take a few deep breaths, and kind of relax them as if you were going for a wee (but don't actually do it yeah!)!. With a bit of practise I'm sure you'll be fine!.
Then go back to your same GP for the test, as this is the one you feel most comfortable with!. I'm sure you'll be fine relaxing with him, and having a good laugh at your last attempt!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Anyway, so your problem is quite clearly you're not relaxed enough!.
This might sound a bit odd, but try practising at home, so you get used to what it feels like to 'untense' your muscles!. You got to take a few deep breaths, and kind of relax them as if you were going for a wee (but don't actually do it yeah!)!. With a bit of practise I'm sure you'll be fine!.
Then go back to your same GP for the test, as this is the one you feel most comfortable with!. I'm sure you'll be fine relaxing with him, and having a good laugh at your last attempt!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Okay i think that this is all mental, how did you find having sex didi u get tense!?
Iam hoping uv never been abused or anything that could cause it!?
vaginimos u know where the muscles tence having sex!?
Maybe the army thing did put u off big time!!- i really think u should speak to a counceller or do hypnothearpy to get to the root of the problem and prepare you for the test!.
as for the cryin- normal i cried my eyes out when i got home from my first one!!! heheh i hope this helps be strong!! lolWww@Answer-Health@Com
Iam hoping uv never been abused or anything that could cause it!?
vaginimos u know where the muscles tence having sex!?
Maybe the army thing did put u off big time!!- i really think u should speak to a counceller or do hypnothearpy to get to the root of the problem and prepare you for the test!.
as for the cryin- normal i cried my eyes out when i got home from my first one!!! heheh i hope this helps be strong!! lolWww@Answer-Health@Com
mabye you should ask for a smaller speculum, and have someone go with you, so you feel better, and arnt so nervous!.
and essismum, im sure she knows how important it is to get the exam done, but its just too painful for her and she cant control thatWww@Answer-Health@Com
and essismum, im sure she knows how important it is to get the exam done, but its just too painful for her and she cant control thatWww@Answer-Health@Com
the problem with having a pap smear is that the gp is not allowed to use any kind of lubrication to make it easier for you!.
some gp's do use a plastic disposable speculum but the metal ones are the best!.
what you need to do is prepare yourself before you go in to see him, think of something sexual just to get yourself going a bit, that way it will be easier for him!.
vaginal speculum's, especially the metal ones can come is some very small sizes, i know because i got several sizes here! and he could have tried harder to find the right one!.
i know it might sound intrusive, but he should insert a finger or 2 inside you first to see what size would be best to get the test done!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
some gp's do use a plastic disposable speculum but the metal ones are the best!.
what you need to do is prepare yourself before you go in to see him, think of something sexual just to get yourself going a bit, that way it will be easier for him!.
vaginal speculum's, especially the metal ones can come is some very small sizes, i know because i got several sizes here! and he could have tried harder to find the right one!.
i know it might sound intrusive, but he should insert a finger or 2 inside you first to see what size would be best to get the test done!.Www@Answer-Health@Com