pap smear/anal sex questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2005
pap smear/anal sex questions
4
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 3:39pm
I am 24 never had pap smear and i am going may 6 im so scared so any advice and can anyone tell me what it is like? is there any shots or taking blood involed ? how bad does the pap smear hurt? also is it more common for guys to like anal than female? also any advice on getting used to anal? thanks
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 4:13pm

Holly, a pap smear is nothing to be fearful of. It's a simple procedure where a light scraping of the vaginal walls and cervix is done with a small mascara wand-looking instrument to collect cells for testing. It is NOT painful.

In a normal annual exam, the dr. will also do a manual exam of the vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries and breasts to make sure they are healthy and normal.

He or she will ask you if you have any concerns, complaints or questions and that would be your opportunity to ask whatever questions you may have. And don't worry, they've heard and seen it all, so nothing you can bring up will shock or embarrass them. It's a good idea to write these things down before you go, so that you don't forget them, too.

TELL the dr. that this is your first exam and he or she will inform you of each part of the exam....what they're doing and why before they do it.

No, having these procedures done isn't fun but we must do it to protect and maintain our
reproductive health.

And as far as anal sex goes...different men enjoy different things, so, no, anal isn't something every man enjoys.

My stance on it is this...if YOU enjoy anal, then do it....if you don't or you find it painful, uncomfortable, gross, humiliating, whatever....then don't do it. I get the sense though that you don't enjoy anal sex but are just going through with it for your partner.

Any act that is NOT mutually pleasurable needs to be discussed, not just endured for the partner's sake. IF anal isn't something that gives you pleasure or it's painful, then tell your partner and don't do it anymore. Your pleasure and comfort are equally important and should be respected. But, your partner can't read your mind so tell him how you feel, if you haven't already.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-21-2004
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 4:28pm
Pap smears are not scary. I am 23 and had one every year since I was 18. It is a little uncomfortable but doesn't hurt. The doctor will also examine your breasts for any lumps. And will do a quick finger quick to test the iron level in your blood.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 4:29pm

As Kat said, there is nothing to be afraid of with the exam, nothing painful


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2004
Sat, 04-02-2005 - 11:18am
Pap smears aren't as bad as you think. I never had one until I got pregnant because I was so scared. There is so minor discomfort from having the speculum in you and you can feel a very minute amount of scraping, but there are no shots or blood work done at all...It doesn't take very long. It can be a little unnerving..You might be uncomfortable at first, but you'll get used to it.