How can I stay calm during a Pap smear?

Be Comfortable

Don't come in for your pap smear in your tightest pair of jeans and a body-hugging top. You need to have a sense of comfort to help you relax before and during the test. Wear comfortable clothing so you feel comfortable, and ask for a woman doctor, too, if that eases your mind. Be as relaxed as you can.

How do you relax during a smear test?

How do you not tense up during a Pap smear?

Can they sedate you 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 was my Pap smear so painful?

When Pap smears are uncomfortable, it's often because there's a sensation of pressure in the pelvic region. Urinating beforehand can relieve some of this pressure. In some cases, your doctor might request a urine sample, so be sure to ask if it's OK to use the restroom beforehand.

Top 5 Tips for a More Comfortable Cervical / Pap Smear Test Experience

Can they numb you before a Pap smear?

4. Paracetamol: Take a dose of paracetamol 30 minutes before your smear which will take some of the discomfort away. 5. Numbing gel: If all else fails, ask the nurse to use a small amount of numbing gel.

How can I relax at the gynecologist?

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 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 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 long does a pap smear 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.

Is there an alternative to a smear test?

Swabs or urine samples taken at home could be as effective at identifying women at high risk of cervical cancer as traditional smear tests, according to new research.

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.

How can I make my cervix less painful?

Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol an hour before the exam to reduce discomfort. Deep breathing can help you stay calm and relax your pelvic muscles. If you feel pain, tell your doctor.

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.

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.

How many inches is a speculum?

LARGE SIZE SPECULUM: The gynecological instrument measures 4-inch by 1-inch used by doctors to open the walls of the vagina and examine the vagina and cervix.

How do you mentally prepare for a gynecologist appointment?

Can Obgyn prescribe anxiety medication?

Women are more likely than men to suffer from affective and anxiety disorders,¹ and it is the primary care providers, including obstetrician/gynecologists, who write most of the prescriptions for antianxiety and antidepressant medications.

Do pelvic exams hurt?

A pelvic exam is a normal part of taking care of your body. It only takes a few minutes and it doesn't hurt.

What should you not do before a smear test?

Don't use any creams, medication or lubricants in your vagina before your smear. Jess advises: "These things can also get into the sample and make it difficult to see. "It doesn't actually effect the result but it can make it hard for the person who's looking at the sample to see what it is."

Should a smear test hurt?

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.

Do nuns have smear tests?

Nuns should he offered routine cervical smears. When a nun has symptoms suggestive of cervical cancer, that diagnosis should be considered as seriously as for any other woman. Irregular vaginal bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding or recurrent vaginal discharge, should lead to a full pelvic examination under anaesthesia.

What should you not do after a Pap smear?

Avoid sex and don't use a tampon in the two to three days following a Pap smear if you're experiencing bleeding. The additional pressure may cause bleeding to start again or become heavier.

What should I avoid 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.