For ladies only!!! A very personal women's health question?!


Question: For ladies only!!! A very personal women's health question!?
I'm getting my first pap smear done next week and I'm scared to death! Are there any tips for making this easier!? I really hope I'm freaking out over nothing, but it would be nice to get some reassurance! Thanks! :)Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Since there are already answers regarding the basics of what will happen, I won't repeat all of that!. Instead I'll also reassure you, and let you know that you *will* do just fine!. I hate it when people sugar-coat what medical procedures are like, so I won't say that it will be comfortable by any definition of the word, but I think the biggest thing you will end up remembering about your first visit is that it's a *different* kind of discomfort!.!.!. in fact, even at my age a speculum is not exactly the best feeling!. My biggest complaint was always that the speculum was cold!. ::LOL:: My current OB/GYN has a little heater for the speculums, so they are body-temperature when used, which is much more comfortable!.

As for tips for making this easier, I'm not sure what works for other women, however it is important to stay relaxed!. I practice biofeedback (which is consciously slowing and regulating the breathing), and that helps me quite a bit, even during some of the recent procedures I have had, which have been more uncomfortable than other exams I've underwent!. Deep breathing will do wonders to help you stay relaxed!.

It's common to hold our breath when undergoing anything that causes discomfort, however that actually causes more tension, and will make the exam more uncomfortable!. Before I practiced biofeedback I had attended Lamaze classes, and that used to help me during my yearly pap smears!.

Lastly, when it gets uncomfortable, remember that it's good that you are getting an exam now, so if there are ever any problems they will catch them immediately!. I'm not just repeating what they will tell you there (and likely already have), I am speaking from experience!. I was one of the few women (I have never met anyone else who was as stupid as I was in this) who avoided getting a yearly exam because of the discomfort!. I figured that I was young and healthy, and the chances of me having any reproductive health issues was nearly nil, so before this last January it had been four years since I had went in for a pap smear or exam of any kind (other than when I had strep throat or an ear infection)!. This was doubly stupid because I've studied all of this, so I knew it was a risk!.!.!. I just figured I was healthy --and I disliked pap smears-- enough that I'd skip it!.

I am now battling cervical cancer (stage 2b)!. One of the first things that my my OB/GYN explained when they found it was that if I had been going in for my yearly pap smear, they would have caught it sooner!. It was essentially my doctor's way of saying, "this is your own fault, moron!." I've battled (and recovered from) Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and now I'm in a second battle, and the worst part is that it was indeed my fault entirely!. I make it a point now to tell every woman I meet who doesn't want to get a pap smear how important it is!.!.!. it's sorta become my mission in life (besides winning this fight as thoroughly as I can)!.

So when you're uncomfortable, try and smile and know that you are healthy, and you will stay that way because of these annoying exams!. ^_^ Okay, smiling may be pushing it, but you understand what I mean!.

You'll do great, and know that many of us who read this remember what it was like to be nervous about their first OB/GYN exam!. It will be over before you know it, and you'll be free of the need to have another one for an entire year!. ^_^

- - -

EDIT:

I copied these for you off one of the websites I go to for dealing with cancer pain naturally (without medication), because they will help you to relax during your exam on Friday!. I'm sorry for making this such a long post, but I hope these help you! ^_^

-

Abdominal Breathing Technique

Breathing exercises such as this one should be done twice a day or whenever you find your mind dwelling on upsetting thoughts or when you are experiencing pain!.

* Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen!. When you take a deep breath in, the hand on the abdomen should rise higher than the one on the chest!. This insures that the diaphragm is pulling air into the bases of the lungs!.
* After exhaling through the mouth, take a slow deep breath in through your nose imagining that you are sucking in all the air in the room and hold it for a count of 7 (or as long as you are able, not exceeding 7)
* Slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of 8!. As all the air is released with relaxation, gently contract your abdominal muscles to completely evacuate the remaining air from the lungs!. It is important to remember that we deepen respirations not by inhaling more air but through completely exhaling it!.
* Repeat the cycle four more times for a total of 5 deep breaths and try to breathe at a rate of one breath every 10 seconds (or 6 breaths per minute)!. At this rate our heart rate variability increases which has a positive effect on cardiac health!.

In general, exhalation should be twice as long as inhalation!. The use of the hands on the chest and abdomen are only needed to help you train your breathing!. Once you feel comfortable with your ability to breathe into the abdomen, they are no longer needed!.

Abdominal breathing is just one of many breathing exercises!. But it is the most important one to learn before exploring other techniques!. The more it is practiced, the more natural it will become improving the body's internal rhythm!.

-

Using breathing exercises to increase energy

If practiced over time, the abdominal breathing exercise can result in improved energy throughout the day, but sometimes we are in need of a quick "pick-up!." The Bellows breathing exercise (also called, the stimulating breath) can be used during times of fatigue!. It should not be used in place of abdominal breathing but in addition as a tool to increase energy when needed!. This breathing exercise is opposite that of abdominal breathing!. Short, fast rhythmic breaths are used to increase energy, which are similar to the "chest" breathing we do when under stress!. The bellows breath recreates the adrenal stimulation that occurs with stress and results in the release of energizing chemicals such as epinephrine!. Like most bodily functions this serves an active purpose, but overuse results in adverse effects as discussed above!.

The Bellows Breathing Technique (The Stimulating Breath)

This yogic technique can be used to help stimulate energy when needed!. It is a good thing to use before reaching for a cup of coffee!.

* Sit in a comfortable up-right position with your spine straight!.
* With your mouth gently closed, breath in and out of your nose as fast as possible!. To give an idea of how this is done, think of someone using a bicycle pump (a bellows) to quickly pump up a tire!. The upstroke is inspiration and the downstroke is exhalation and both are equal in length!.
* The rate of breathing is rapid with as many as 2-3 cycles of inspiration/expiration per second!.
* While doing the exercise, you should feel effort at the base of the neck, chest and abdomen!. The muscles in these areas will increase in strength the more this technique is practiced!. This is truly an exercise!.
* Do this for no longer than 15 seconds when first starting!. With practice, slowly increase the length of the exercise by 5 seconds each time!. Do it as long as you are comfortably able, not exceeding one full minute!.
* There is a risk for hyperventilation that can result in loss of consciousness if this exercise is done too much in the beginning!. For this reason, it should be practiced in a safe place such as a bed or chair!.

This exercise can be used each morning upon awakening or when needed for an energy boost!.

- - -Www@Answer-Health@Com

Honestly, the best thing you can do is relax!. The more tense you are the more difficult it will be for the doc to do the exam!.

Your doctor should talk with you before hand, so just let them know how you are feeling!. They have been there and done that lots before!.

If it makes you feel any better, the first time I had one my doctor knocked over the whole tray of tools and they had to set up a second time!

But here are the basics!.!.!.!.!. They will have you undress and get on the table (in a gown)!. The doc will do a breat exam!. Then the doc will have you put your feet in the stirrups and wiggle your behind to the end of the table!. They use a thing called a speculum to open your vagina to get a clear view of your cervix and they take a swab!. Your doctor will at some point press on your lower abdomin to check that all your girl stuff it good, and last they may or may not (I know I'm sorry, but it's what they do) they may do a rectal exam, I know, yuck!. But of the 15 or so I've had done, I've only had 2 doctors do that!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

It really is no big deal!. Your doctor will talk with you before hand, ask you questions about your diet, exercise, period, sexual activity etc!.!.!. (health related questions)!. When it comes to the Pap it won't hurt at all!. You may feel a bit nervous being exposed but your doctor does this everyday and it really is no big deal to him/her!. Plus it's really fast; less than a minute for the Pap smear, then she'll feel your ovaries and make sure everything is seeming normal!. You'll be done in no time and really again not painful at all!. Good luck; but you'll be just fine!. Www@Answer-Health@Com

"JF" explained the process perfectly!. Sometimes your doctor will explain what he/she is doing, step by step, so you know what is going on down there!. For instance, "now I am inserting the speculum using some gel, it might feel cold", or "this might feel slightly uncomfortable for a second" it is good when they explain it because it is good to know what is coming so you are mentally prepared and it is never as bad as you think, especially if you have a good imagination!. Good luck you will be fine!. Don't be afraid to talk and ask questions if they don't explain!. You usually have two people in room, especially if it is a male dr!. that is usually standard to make you feel better!. Www@Answer-Health@Com

I haven't had one yet but from what I hear if you relax your muscles will too and it'll make it all easier!.

Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com

I haven't had one done but I heard that you just have to relax and not be tense!. Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories