How can I make a Pap smear less painful?

Is there a way to make a Pap smear less painful?

Position Matters, Too. A simple change in positioning might also make a pap smear less painful. Some women tolerate the procedure better by lying on their sides or they place their hands underneath their rears and press down. Just like sex, different positions can decrease any discomfort you feel in your vagina.

What should you not do before a Pap smear?

Avoid intercourse, douching, or using any vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies for two days before having a Pap smear, as these may wash away or obscure abnormal cells. Try not to schedule a Pap smear during your menstrual period. It's best to avoid this time of your cycle, if possible.

How can I reduce the pain of a speculum?

Applying a small amount of gel to the blades of a speculum before insertion won't alter test results—but will reduce the patient's discomfort.

Why is my Pap smear so painful?

For most people, a smear test shouldn't be painful, but it's normal to find it a bit uncomfortable. Usually the most uncomfortable bit is when the speculum is opened. Having your cervix brushed to remove cells can feel a bit strange, but shouldn't hurt. However, some people will find a smear test painful.

How Do I Overcome The Pain Of My Smear Test? | This Morning

Can you be numbed for a Pap smear?

The short answer to this question is, yes, you can be sedated to get a pelvic exam and Pap smear. This is not common practice however, and usually only done when there is suspected clinical concern and a routine exam is not possible.

Why does the speculum hurt so much?

Sometimes a pap test is excruciatingly painful not because the speculum is the wrong size, but because your vaginal issue is thin and dry or the muscles that surround the vagina are tense and painful.

How can I make my speculum more comfortable?

"Slow your breathing down, put your hands by your side, and think about dropping your bottom into the couch. "We might ask you to put your hands underneath your bottom, or we might ask you to cough." That can help the speculum be inserted easier.

Can you get fingered before a Pap smear?

This may include inserting the fingers or a sex toy into the vagina. Penetration may lead to tissue inflammation in the vagina, which can interfere with the Pap smear.

How long do Pap smears take?

Pap Smear Procedure

The test is done in your doctor's office or clinic. It takes about 10 to 20 minutes. You'll lie on a table with your feet placed firmly in stirrups. You'll spread your legs, and your doctor will insert a metal or plastic tool (speculum) into your vagina.

How do you relax for a pelvic exam?

A: Communicate with your provider that you're feeling nervous and tense. They can help position you to feel more comfortable. Practice slow, deep breathing. Try to relax your shoulders, your stomach muscles and the muscles between your legs.

Can you get laughing gas for a Pap smear?

Since most patients can find this procedure uncomfortable, Dr. Aliabadi always uses numbing medication on the cervix and Nitrous Oxide (aka “laughing gas”), which virtually eliminates anxiety and helps with any remaining discomfort.

Do smear tests hurt if you're a virgin?

The cervical screening procedure won't damage your hymen or affect your virginity in any way, although it may be a little more uncomfortable for those who haven't had sex before.

How many fingers is a speculum?

Your doctor will insert two lubricated and gloved fingers into your vagina. They'll use the other hand to press on your lower abdomen to check for any growths or tenderness in your pelvic organs.

Is it normal to get wet during a pelvic exam?

There is nothing wrong with you. Your body's natural response of lubrication in this particular case has nothing to do with whether you are aroused by your doctor or the examination itself. Also, some women lubricate more than others and that is normal too.

Does sperm show up on a Pap smear?

Routine Pap smears can detect sperm but do not appear to be an ideal method to substantiate recent sexual intercourse.

What can I use instead of a speculum?

The Callascope has the potential to offer an alternative to the standard duckbill speculum for clinical exams, which like the self-breast exam, will allow individuals with cervices to perform basic cervical exams in their own homes.

How many fingers does a gynecologist use?

The doctor or nurse will put lubricant on two fingers (still wearing the gloves) and slide them inside your vagina. Using the other hand, he or she will press on the outside of your lower abdomen (the area between your vagina and your stomach). You may feel a little pressure or discomfort.

What age should you get your first Pap smear?

Women should start Pap smear screening at age 21. Between the ages of 21-29, women whose Pap smears are normal only need it repeated every three years. Women ages 30 and over should have testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) with their Pap smear. HPV is the cause of cervical cancer.

Can a gynecologist tell if you're a virgin?

A pelvic exam or a vaginal exam cannot reveal with absolute certainty that a woman is a virgin or has been sexually active. A gynecologist can't tell if you are a virgin by doing a physical exam because of the variation in different hymens and the absence of a hymen isn't an indicator of sexual activity.

Can you be put to sleep for a smear test?

During the general anaesthetic, while you are asleep, your doctor puts a speculum into your vagina to keep it open. They check your cervix and vagina for signs of cancer spread. They pass a slim telescope, called a hysteroscope, through your cervix into the womb.

How do you groom for a Pap smear?

Although you don't have to worry about grooming, you should avoid a few things before going to get your Pap. "Try to avoid sex, douching, tampon use, and being on your period a day or two before your Pap in order to avoid obscuring results," Dr. Angela Jones, Astroglide's resident sexual health advisor, tells Bustle.

What is the gynecologist tool called?

What is a speculum? A speculum is a duck-bill-shaped device that doctors use to see inside a hollow part of your body and diagnose or treat disease. One common use of the speculum is for vaginal exams. Gynecologists use it to open the walls of the vagina and examine the vagina and cervix.

Why am I so scared to get a Pap smear?

Anxiety can make attending a smear test very hard. There are many triggers for anxiety , including health anxiety, fear of the unknown, body dysmorphia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or experience of sexual violence.

Does getting your cervix checked hurt?

Well, for starters, it's uncomfortable! Toward the end of pregnancy, vaginal tissue becomes more sensitive, so a cervical exam (which is not known for being gentle) can feel uncomfortable or even painful.