Pap test

[Naomi]

Okay, I know it's yuck but I'm assuming as we're all women (that in itself might be a big assumption??) that we've all had one or will have one at some stage.

I am due (okay, a bit overdue) for one and I just hate the idea of it. You'd think after having fertility treatment and giving birth that I'd be over the whole embarrassment and discomfort associated with someone poking at my nether regions, but no.

Ugh. So I just need to make the appointment and do it. The problem is my Dr. She's great, I'm really happy with her and she looked after me all through my pregnancy and now does all of Hugo's medical things (vaccinations and all of that). But I'm wondering if there's a point where you become too familiar with your Dr and it gets weird all over again seeing them for stuff like this? I know that it's her job and it probably doesn't doesn't faze her in the slightest ... but I still feel a bit weird about it.

[floria]

Naomi, I kinda know how you feel. I get my pap smear test done this week. My Dr is a female too. I have seen her for many years at Family Planning Clinic then about three years ago decided I would see her at her general practice instead. During that time my parents have become patients of her and they see her on a very regular basis. So she knows all the family stuff etc. It's bad enough having to have them done every two years but at one stage I had to have them done every six months.

[Monty]

I'm way overdue by many years and I've not had one in my life. I know I'm really bad don't worry I've heard it all so no use telling me LOL. Have tried to have one but couldn't go thru with it due to pain factor. I have a very limited pain threshold. I get nervous, anxious and all that. After the wedding I am really going to try and go back to the docs for another try. Wish me luck!

[Pam]

Monty, can you go with your mum? Erin was understandably nervous when going for her 1st, so I went with her. I was due for one myself at the time, so I went 1st, then Erin. The doctor knew it was her first and that I'd come along for support, so was also very sensitive. Erin & I always make a double appointment every second March ;) We can remind each other LOL

Funny tho, I would never do anything like that with my mother.. different generation I guess. Make sure when you go, you mention it's your first, and I'm sure your doctor will be senitive to your fears.

[Ptolly-Totts]

This routine test we should not become complacent with. Even after many years of getting the all clear, one still needs to have regular checks. My doctor told me of a case of an elderly patient, who all her life had completely normal pap smears, then one came up abnormal, turned out to be CN 3 quite treatable, however it is still very thought provoking...

[emstar]

I had mine last week 3 years over due!!!! Which is really bad, my mother when she was younger went to see the doctor about something different as she was leaving the doctor said that she was due for a pap smear, mum said she would come back another time to have it done but the doctor insisted that she have it now, thank god the doctor did as they found she had a very rare cancer and they were able to treat it.

Also I am very sore down there at the moment I had to go to hospital on the weekend for a lump, when the doctor saw it he booked me straight in for an operation, it wasn't cancerous thank god, but it was awful and I am still in pain but at least the nasty lump is gone!!!

[Wendy]

Pap smears at any age are more embarassing than anything. Not painfull or anything like that and sometimes it's more the idea of it that puts you off but it's funny how when we have babies we just go along with it all and we certainly have more poked at and looked at than with a pap smear. :blush:

[Chrystal]

I hate them, but have been pretty good with mine, my babies have all been timed well and I'm usually due just after having them. Mind you, there is a big difference to being poked at while giving birth (there's normally drugs involved and a lot of pain,you don't really care who's there), where as with a pap you're very much in the know with whats happening, and then feel ickky for a while afterwards.

I also have a femail Dr now, my first one was with a male Dr and I was horrified thru the whole thing. Its a bit weird as we cross paths at my daughters day care, and I actually saw her there the morning of my last pap, and felt a little awkward.

I make sure I get them done every 2 years, as I had a friend diagnosed with cervical cancer at 21.

[PinkDot]

I havent had one yet, I asked my doctor the other day and am planning on getting one soon. She showed me a smaller um, whatever that thing is called that they use. I am just really embarrassed, but I guess its worth knowing. I cant believe I am fine to get a brazillian and scared to get a pap smear :blush:

[semele]

Wow Pinkdot, you get a Brazilian??!!

I had my first pap test a year and a half ago. It was fine, a little embarrassing and uncomfortable but when you realise that you are doing it for your own benefit, I think it's okay. My doctor said she could go through the process with me but I told her that I didn't really need to know and she just did it.

Guess I'm due for another one soon.

[Julia]

I personally wouldn't use my regular GP for pap smears for the reason you're stating Naomi...too familiar. She's seen my girly bits once, when I had my miscarriage but I really like to keep my doctors separate so will go back to my gyne/obstetrician for my pap smear.

As I said in another post though, even though he's seen me giving birth & does this day in, day out it still embarasses the hell out of me seeing him for a pap smear, but I'd rather him than my GP.

Will you be getting the new one done? You have to pay more but apparently it's more accurate.

Sigh...I'm due for mine in July & I'm already worrying about having to get on that table. But as Hazy said, it's so important. A good friend of mine had a routine pap smear last year & was found to have cancer.

[Jewly]

Can't say that they are my most favourite things to have done, but I try and not let it bother me and just prefer to get it over and done with and forget about it. I've also had a few internal scans done, to diagnose my PCOS and I think once you have had one of those done, you can pretty much let them do anything to you..lol

Julia...I hope you're friend is going to be ok.

[Naomi]

Jewly - I have had so many internal u/s - I also have PCOS and had fertility treatment to fall pg which entailed scans every second day for a week or two while we were cycling ... plus the internal u/s during pregnancy (6 weeks to confirm viability, 11 weeks nuchal translucency, 20 weeks anomoly scan) BUT I still cringe about the pap test. I think it's just that the scans were generally done by relatively anonymous people.

Julia, I think going to a gyn is the way to go ... and yes, I think I will have the newer test, don't mind paying extra for the increased accuracy.