Birth Control Pills and Pap Smears

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

Well, I went to my doctor Monday afternoon, and first off he has me scheduled for a Pap smear the 20th. I'm just a little scared.

Second, he noticed my 'mild acne' and asked if it 'bloomed with my period'. Yup. It does. He mentioned birth control pills could most likely clear it completely up.

I would love to be rid of these awful breakouts. I will have a completely clear face for about three days of the month, and the rest of the time is spent in 'damage control'.

So, does anyone take BC pills for their acne... and does anyone have anything to say about a pap smear?

(I'm 19, and I'm not sexually active)

Comments

[gliterybuterfly.livejournal.com]

The pap is really no big deal...just a little uncomfortable. It doesn't hurt. I was nervous my first time because I didn't know what to expect, but that's basically it - a speculum and a cotton swab.

I don't take BC pills for acne, though. I take them (I'm celibate right now - not really by choice) because the pills reduce my cramping and flow. Without them my cramps are almost paralizing and my flow is uncontrollable. Ick. Although I have noticed that I don't have as many pimples as before I started on the pills (I've been on them for 6 months).

**hug**

Good luck. =o)

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

*smiles* Thank you!!

Yeah, I guess thinking of the pap smear as just a speculum and a cotton swab, it's not so bad. I just had blood taken today - and I survived. I actually kindof... thought it was neat. Yeah. I'm weird.

I havn't decided on the BC pills yet, my mom is having me research it online. As far as I can see, the lower doses of estrogen/progesterin are much safer than they used to be...

So, we'll see.

*hugs you back* Thank you, again. :)

[byagghametta.livejournal.com]

The tool is cold. That's about all I can remember about my last one...

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

Hey!!! That dosn't make me feel better. *giggles*

Ah, I guess I should be ready for whatever happens. :P

[byagghametta.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, if all I remember of it is the tool being cold, that may well be the worst of it. :)

Re:

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

I guess so. :)

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. So, I'll be okay. I'm scared, but not so bad now that people are telling me what to expect.

I don't think my mom is planning on going with me, but the more I think about it, the more I want her there. Strange, I know I am, but ohwell.

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

I'm going to ask for a nurse in there with me, and I'm going to try to get the guts to remember to have the doc EXPLAIN to me what he's doing.

I know I'll be nervous, but I'm not too awfly scared.

:)

nurses and such

[laliari.livejournal.com]

hugs! i remember my first time to the gyn - i was 15 and very scared. but everyone is right - the pap smear is no biggie. and as far as i know, if you have a male doctor, he's required (for propriety's sake) to have a female nurse in the room for a pelvic exam - liability does have it's upside. good luck!

laliari

Re: nurses and such

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

:) Thanks... I was wondering if it wasn't 'standard procedure' for a nurse to be in the room when it's a male doctor...

Two more days to go...

[deathchicken.livejournal.com]

eh, pap smears are no big deal. yes, they are uncomfortable, but no, it is definitely not unbearable.

i didn't take my pills specifically for acne, but it definitely worked. he'll probably put you on ortho-trycyclin, and that WORKS. i always break out like mad during my period and while i was on that particular pill it was diminished to the point where i didn't even notice any zits. i think it reduces the oil on your face or something...i dunno, but since i've gone off ortho-trycyclin my face has gotten a hell of a lot oilier...oh well.

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

Ah, cool. I'm leaning towards going ahead and doing it now... We'll see what my mom says when I tell her that, but I think she's leaving the decision up to me.

:)

Re: I hear ya'

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!! *hugs* It'll be okay. I think I'll drag my mom along. *grins*

I like my doctor... as far as I can tell, so that's a plus. He's not a gyno, though. Hrm. Just a family practitioner. We'll see how it goes. If it's a doctor's visit from hell, I can always find another doctor. :)

No worries.

[bizetsy.livejournal.com]

This might sound frustrating, but the more you can relax, the less you will feel anything. If you wear tampons, then you can think about it the same way: if you tense your muscles, it's harder to put in, if you relax, it will just slide.

I wish you the best of luck.

Re:

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

It dosn't sound frustrating at all... a good tip. Today is my appointment, too, so it came just in time.

Thanks.:)

[josparke.livejournal.com]

hmm, your face isn't that bad... now :>

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

depends.