(no subject)

[ex-wyldviole490.livejournal.com]

Am I the only person who didn't totally freak out over my first PAP smear and exam? I had no problems, wasn't scared or nervous or anything. And I was, and stil am, a complete virgin. And I didn't feel weird afterwards either. We're women and it's just something we need to do for our health. It's nothing unnatural or freaky. Just a procedure like any other.

Comments

[fianna.livejournal.com]

I didn't have any problems with mine as well.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I didn't freak out about mine, and not only was I only 16, it was in the late seventies, when teens weren't as educated about bodies. But I'm lucky, I grew up in a *mostly* body-positive and woman-positive family. I'd read about gynecological exams and my own physiology already, had a good idea of what to expect, and hadn't heard any horror stories.

[ex-wyldviole490.livejournal.com]

I think that makes all the difference when you have a supportive mother, aunt, older sister whom you can discuss it with. And even if you don't, it's nothing to freak out so much over.

It's uncomfortable and a little embarassing sometimes, but it's nothing to have a psychotic episode over! *LOL*

[snapdragon-666.livejournal.com]

I've never had one. I think i'd be nervous of pain but maybe not anything more. I can really understand why some girls can get so upset afterwards though.

[ex-wyldviole490.livejournal.com]

What would you have to be upset about afterwards? It's all over with then!

Re:

[snapdragon-666.livejournal.com]

Well there was a girl in this very communitywho was quite upset and i think we all need to be sensitive towards her. I should imagine that if a doctor was the first person to go 'down there' and mess around with your intimate bitsit could be a bit upsetting.

[ex-wyldviole490.livejournal.com]

Well, I personally thought that she was being more than a little silly and overly dramatic about the whole thing. It was a doctor for cryin' out loud. Not a rapist! I would rather a doctor be the first person to touch me than a rapist or someone else whom I didn't want touching me.

[snapdragon-666.livejournal.com]

Given a choice yes, but a it was a doctor. If it didn't affect her health, i'm sure the girl would have rathered the doctor wasn't the first person down there. It dosn't matter what our views are- she was upset and she deserves respect.

[titsy-mcclure.livejournal.com]

I didn't freak out. *shrug* It's something you have to do. You bite the bullet and get it done, it's a damn sight better than not catching cervical cancer early.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I wasn't freaked out, but I was highly annoyed with the PA, who insisted on using latex gloves although I'm allergic to natural rubber latex.

At that point, my allergy wasn't anaphylactic, but I still had to deal with swollen and itchy genitals for a week.

These days, I've been known to refuse to let anyone touch me who claims that latex allergies "aren't that bad". Hello, it can *kill* me.

[ex-wyldviole490.livejournal.com]

I would've been annoyed about that too! Medical personnel are supposed to listen to you about things like that!

[victorianbeauty.livejournal.com]

I don't think my experience wouldn't have been as bad if it was just a routine pap smear. I freaked out so much because the week before I had had an ultrasound and the results came back with their might be a growth on my cervix. Then I under went the pap smear because with the pap smear my doctor could see the cervix and see if there was a growth. If I hadn't gone in worried about a growth it probably wouldn't have been as bad. I'm not saying it would have been good because for me it was the first time somebody other than myself had been down there (even if it was for medical reasons) and I'm very sensitive and have a low tolerance for pain to begin with. I'm glad I know there isn't a growth but the expereince varies from women to women because we're all different physically, emotionaly and situationaly.

[pinklytaurus.livejournal.com]

The idea freaks me out because I'm a very private person, and I'm a virgin. It's quite unerring to think someone is just going to be down there.

Re:

[pinklytaurus.livejournal.com]

I am not worried about that taking away my virginity. I know that I am going to be a virgin until I get married. I'm just a very private person. I don't like to be touched either. If I hate it when my friends hug me, how am I going to react when a doctor is poking and proding me down there. It just makes me wonder.

Re:

[pinklytaurus.livejournal.com]

How do I do at the dentist? I do fine. I think the dentist/gynecologist is a false analogy. There is a HUGE difference between something sticking their fingers in your mouth to your you know what. A HUGE difference. A huge difference in privacy as well, or at least as far as I concerned.

[casey1979.livejournal.com]

i agree with you whole heartedly
there is a difference.
to me anyways.

Re:

[pinklytaurus.livejournal.com]

::smiles:: I do believe that there is a difference. Completely different orifices of your body! Totally different associations and uses.

Amen

[casey1979.livejournal.com]

there is a difference between going to the dentist and going to the gynecologist
i've been going to my dentist since i was 5, religiously every 6 months. your mouth is more "public"
u usually don't go to the gyno until you're past 17.
you're taught all those years that it's Private and then someone tells you someone HAS to look down there
very ishy if u ask me. not that i'm not educated and comfy with myself down there. i am, but not comfy w/ anyone else getting comfy down there..haha if that makes any sense at all

[puttysan.livejournal.com]

I was fine with the exam itself, I hated my first doctor. Even though I was 17 and nervous, she refused to come talk to me first (wasted time, she said). And after she came in to tell me to get dressed, she left me sitting in paper for 45 mintues while she saw other patients. Instead of letting me stay clothed, or even better, in the waiting room with my mother. That had me freake out then. Once it was done I was fine though, and more pissed at her than anything else.

[julisana.livejournal.com]

I had no problems with my first pap. The lady who was my gyno was super nice and walked me through it. My second pap I didn't really have a problem with, except the lady was in such a rush she forgot to do the testing kit on me too...so I had to go through the whole thing twice! That was fun, let me tell you.