argh.

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

okee dokee, heres the deal. i had my very 1st gyno appt today. i went, spread eagle and la di da. the doctor, knowing it was my 1st appt, was very nice. she opened my cervix and i thought "hm, not so bad. not good, but i can live." i was all relaxed. then, in the middle of that thought, i felt a stabbing pain as she swabbed my uterus. this wasnt pain that i could just sit and take. i gasped and tightened my muscles instinctively. it killed. she looked at me and asked if i was alright. i told her it hurt. she said ok and started back to work. i got 2 more huge stabs of pain. i mean, pain. not discomfort from it being a new experience. pain. i mean i came home crying. now my vagina is all stretched out and it burns when i pee. not to mention i have to wait for my results. everyone told me it didnt hurt, what the hell is wrong with me? im about ready to denounce my vagina.

Comments

[snookumpie.livejournal.com]

yes, some of the routine procedures DO hurt. when they swab you for your PAP smear, they have to scrape up against the cervix -- and that's a highly centered organ with lots of nerve endings. unfortunately, women have different reactions to PAP smears -- for some it really hurts. for some it tickles. for some it's a prickling weird sensation somewhere between the two. for me, it's the third plus my blood pressure drops and i get faint.

however, it is something that, while uncomfortable, is essential to protecting your health. it sounds like your doctor tried to comfort you but perhaps could have helped a little more when you started to freak.

myself, i'm a survivor of rape and didn't have a gyn exam until well after i'd been assaulted -- and before i became sexually active. the process set off a whole lot of triggers for me. what i've learned over time is that it's ESSENTIAL that you focus on your breathing during the procedure in order to stave off panic and keep your blood pressure regular. it's also really useful to keep talking to your doctor -- even if it's just babble -- because it keeps you connected with her and with the process.

also, she should explain to you what she's going to do before she does it. then you can brace yourself.

i'm really sorry it was so unpleasant for you. it never gets enjoyable, but it does become easier to manage.

[snookumpie.livejournal.com]

sorry. i meant to write 'highly sensitive organ'! if it's burning to urinate right now, do try drinking plenty of water and pure cranberry juice -- if you cant' get that, try picking up cranberry tablets, which can be found in a vitamin/herbal section of your pharmacy. that helps balance the PH in the urethra and works to eliminate the pain.

however, if it keeps hurting to pee after a day, definitely call your doc. there's a condition called 'cystitis', which is nothing more than the irriation of the urethra that results in some women from gyn exams, sex and strenuous sports. you can take a pill to get rid of that -- if that's what it is -- easily.

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

thanks chiqua. i was just so freaked out.ive been having some stupid problems with my vagina, so im just lookin for an answer, you know? and hey, its been over 24 hours and the burning has lessened, but still exists. should i be worried?

Re:

[snookumpie.livejournal.com]

if it's getting better, no. if it had stayed the same or gotten worse, i would have definitely suggested calling your doc.

and i can totally understand getting freaked out. we all do about this stuff.

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

thanks man.
ps the burning is gone now, whoo hoo!

[urania.livejournal.com]

mine, my first one, it hurt so badly when she put in the speculum that i burst out crying.. and i'm usually pretty good about pain. she stopped, because of it... it was before i was sexually active, tho, and my skin is naturally really dry and sensitive as anything, so i don't imagine that that helped much! :)....
i hope the results are positive, though, so you will have a silver lining...

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

yeah thats what freaked me out, im usually good with pain as well. it was ironic. i was in mid thought "hey this isnt too bad at a...." and i flipped, something hit something and it wasnt good at all. ick. so has it gotten easier for you?

Re:

[urania.livejournal.com]

don't know, it was less than a year ago, but i hope so.. i'll be better prepared, at least, for some weirdness, and things won't be so "tight" in there (to sound crass, sorry :)

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

haha dont worry, i dont mind about the crassness. it had to be said, and there was no better way to say it. :)

[ex-graspingb368.livejournal.com]

Just to clarify, they don't open your cervix and swab your uterus - they open your vagina and swab your cervix. :)

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

hey thanks for the correction. my mom origially told me thats what they do--open your cervix and such, so i was goin off of what she said.. i guess she ISNT perfect after all, hm? :)

[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

Yes, the first PAP smear and pelvic exam can be uncomfortable. I'm sorry it hurt!

To clarify something for you though, she did not swab the inside of your uterus... that would never be done with the equipment you saw her use today and it would have been done under HIGHLY sterile conditions. What she did do was swab the cervix to collect cells. The speculum can cause some stretching, especially if you've never had sex before. I know this may sound silly, but try taking some ibuprofen (if you have no conflicting conditions) to alleviate the swelling. Also, because you may have some very small tears or abrasions in the perinium, you could try sitting on an ice pack to cool the area. Also, avoid bubble bath or shower gels when you bathe for a day or two, to reduce stinging. You'll get through this...and you'll be healthier for it! :) *hugs*

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

thanks man. i would imagine getting any shower gels and such in there right now would be a huuuge mistake. but i have to ask, is this whole gyno thing gonna become easier ever?

[kanga2roos.livejournal.com]

Oddly, I've never had a really painful pap... even tho my first was actually while I was pregnant. (yeah, I guess that was kinda bad of me ;) I find now that they're almost painless.. but they weren't always. Sorry to hear yours wasn't fun. *comf*

-kanga

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

ok good so it DOES get easier? thats what i need to hear! :) thanks!

[kanga2roos.livejournal.com]

Heheh. Yeah, for most people it does. :)

-kanga

:-/.........

[minniedent.livejournal.com]

I've never had one, and now I'm getting all anxious about it. :\

I've learned a lot from all these posts though, thanks for starting it. I'll take all the given advice. :)

Re: :-/.........

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

haha youre welcome.
my vagina has always been a problem area for every girl in my family, so that could account for the pain i felt.
dont worry. :)

Re: :-/.........

[robiniski.livejournal.com]

haha wow that came out wrong. i meant to say something along the lines of "Vaginas have always been a problem area with girls in my family", not "My vagina has always been a problem area for every girl in my family". that makes no sense. haha sorry. my vagina isnt THAT bad!