Upcoming Yearly and Question

Avatar for rthrbswmng
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Upcoming Yearly and Question
3
Sat, 05-01-2004 - 2:32am
I made my appointment with the college health center (first for me) for monday and the lady didn't give me any instructions to follow like I was told at planned parenthood last july. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what not to do before a pap and how long? I thought there wasnt any sex within 24 hours, but I don't want to screw this up so I have to wait again for an appointment they may not have (apparently scheduling is rough down here this time of the year). Also, what is there to expect, the normal pap n breast exam? THanks soo much in advance! I wish I remembered more but it was a bad experience last time so I tried to block it.

Melissa


Edited 5/1/2004 10:48 am ET ET by rthrbswmng

Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Sat, 05-01-2004 - 11:12am
Good Morning!

The #1 rule of having your yearly pap exam: Don't stress about it! It will be done and over with before you even have time to worry, trust me. I was a wreck my first couple times too.

Some guide lines before you head in to the office:

-don't have sex for 48 hours before your exam. Semen can disrupt the cervical cell scrapings they take from you and make it come up as an un-readable swab. It sucks to have to go back and have it done *again* when you could have just had it right the first time.

-make sure you bathe and shave (if thats your thing) the day you go in. Its one less thing you have to worry about while s/he does the exam.

-don't douche before you go in, again, it can mess with your test results (and is NOT reccommended by any gyno anyway).

So just remember to relax, it will all be over so fast and the best part is that you have another 364 days till the next one! hope I helped....

*MG*

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Sat, 05-01-2004 - 4:14pm
Another rule is that you cannot be on your period. If you are, you will have to reschedule. You can expect the usual PAP and breast exam. The less tense you are about it, the easier it will be to get the speculum in and the less painful it will feel. I know it's hard to not tense up, but if you can force yourself to relax it will go more smoothly. You can even practice ahead of time. Contract your muscles down there like you're trying to hold back from having to urinate and move your bowels. Then relax them and note how it feels to relax them. Practice relaxing them and hopefully you will be able to do it during the procedure. Good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2004
Sat, 05-01-2004 - 4:30pm
Hi there! I was always told no intercourse or anything for 72 hours (3 days before a pap test,) cause it can "disturb" the cells. Also, you have a pap and a breast exam at a yearly. Relax!