Pap-Smear ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Pap-Smear ?
11
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 12:28am
i had sex for the first time un-protected with my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years and im going to planned parenthood to take a pregnancy test just to be sure. We didnt finish having sex because it hurt me. But, should i get a pap smear too, anyways ?? im really scared, i heard it hurts really bad. what to do..?? i feel i dont need one. And what does a pap do anyway?? THANKS-- Nalei'

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
In reply to: naleiya
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 12:39am

1st

Any woman (even girl) who is sexually active should have regular pap smears. Not only to detect cervical cancer (EARLY...the way to stay ALIVE) but because through the entire exam you can find out about any early warnings on STD's, etc.

2nd

You didn't mention your age. After 20, sexually active or not, yearly exams are recommended and vital to preventative care.

I am 25. Married with 3 children. I do not go for regular check-ups with a family doc. I DO go for regular exams with my OB/GYN (gynecologist). He caught my early issues (likely a result of the HPV virus...an STD that MILLIONS of people in the US have and don't know) and I have had procedures to remove existing issues.

It is vital to your health. If you are having sex, GO. It's not that bad.

Cat

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2005
In reply to: naleiya
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 1:36am

On or about the 10th of the month.....you had sex for the first time. You didn't use a condom, but you also didn't complete it because you were in so much pain. The chances of getting pregnant from pre-ejaculate are very slim unless you were ovulating on that day or the day before or after. On the 24th you said you were going to take a pregnancy test. Did you? Did you follow the instructions? What was the result? Have you skipped a period? Have you made an appointment at Planned Parenthood, or are you just thinking about it? Home pregnancy tests, if done right, are accurate. Unless you took it too soon. Also, stress can make your period late. You said in another post that you weren't stressed.....but you are.

Anyway, if you go to Planned Parenthood.....they will decide if you need a pap smear. As the other poster said, it's something you should do annually once you are sexually active.
Whoever said it hurts at all is crazy or lying. It does NOT hurt. They will insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. It is as small as a finger. They will use lubrication and you will barely feel it. They use that so that the smear will not be contaminated by the walls of your vagina. They use a long q-tip to just touch your cervix. They need the smear to test for HPV and for pre-cancerous cells. It doesn't hurt, you won't even FEEL it.

You said in another post that your Dad doesn't care how many babies you conceive??? It's not your Dad's life, it's yours! You're only 18, and you aren't ready to have a family.
While you're at Planned Parenthood, talk to them about birth control.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
In reply to: naleiya
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 6:59am
I cannot help but think after reading her posts that our sex ed in public schools needs some serious overhauling, if she is in the US. I had sex ed in middle school 26 years ago and I learned this stuff. Why has it gotten so much worse that our young girls don't even kow what a Pap smear is?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
In reply to: naleiya
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 7:25am

Why do you feel you don't need a pap?


bounxh0a-1.gif picture by dillbyrd

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
In reply to: naleiya
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 7:38am

Good question Tally.


bounxh0a-1.gif picture by dillbyrd

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
In reply to: naleiya
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 12:47pm

im 18. Never once in sex-Ed while i was in school did they ever tell the girls what a pap smear was... NEVER. It is so bad now, that they dont tell the girls everything when all the girls are doing is having sex and getting pregnant. Most of my girlfriends are pregnant or already have kids.. its SO BAD, in california.

Im going to planned parenthood on friday with a good friend, i made an appointment for the pregnacy test and if they say i need a pap smear i will get one. im just afraid.. thats all.

Lately ive been feeling "not normal"...maybe i am STRESSED. But im happy.. Im still with my boyfriend and we are really doing good right now. i think i missed alot of Q's...
i dont know how to go back.

Naleiya

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2005
In reply to: naleiya
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 12:54am
You should get a pap every year for your health. How old are you? (If you dont mind me asking) All they do is is get a sample of the cells on your cervix and check for abnormal cells, STD's and the like. Its not painful either, it is a bit uncomfortable, but its not that big of deal in the end. You should also discuss birth control of sorts when your there, they will give you all the options and help you pick whats right for you. You have to have a pap to get birth control also.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
In reply to: naleiya
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 6:51am

Why are you so afraid? What are you afraid of? While cervical cancer is very rare in somone your age, it does happen, plus it gives them a history of what your normal cells look like so there is a history through the years. Sex the first time for me was much more uncomfortable than the Pap was.

And they will do a Pap, a whole gyn exam, if you're planning on obtaining BC. It's good that you're going, but it's not a traumatic thing. I started having them at 15 and it's really not that big a deal.

And I agree with Tish. The schools should be teaching basic sex ed and that should include health information, the importance of breast self examination and regular checks should be a part of it. I'm confused though as to why your father would be so open as to say he doesn't care how many kids you have, but your mother wouldn't talk to you about the importance of getting a yearly check. And it *is* very important.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
In reply to: naleiya
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 6:34pm

im 18.. and i cant talk to my mother because she doesnt want me to grow up and she doesnt know im having sex. i cant talk to her bout it', she doesnt even like my bf. My father isnt in my life so that is why i said that about him. Yes, when i go to planned PH, if they say i need a pap i will get one. im not afraid anymore, now its like whatever. every female has to go through it right... you guys make things alot easier.

people ask me "why are you on ivallge and what is it?" and i say, well i cant talk to my mom so i have LOTS of moms who give me great advice on the "village"!

Thanks xoxo--Nalei'

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2005
In reply to: naleiya
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 12:22am

Pap's do not hurt. It's awkward at first because you have to be so vulnerable in a way you're not used to. If you go on the pill, you can usually make your pap appts for every 15 months. The general rule is to go every year to catch cancer early on.


The best advice is for you to relax as much as possible while getting your pap exam and know that it's over in a minute. It hurts to have a baby...so if you don't want that, you need to start using birth control. You sound very young so do yourself and your bf a favor and get some condoms.


The good news about sex is, it only gets better. If you're going to make the decision to have sex, make sure you have safe sex and know your partners well. Best of luck to you, I hope everything works out for you.

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