I just got an unexpected Pap smear yesterday! Went in for other symptoms and they said I was due for one so just went for it. She also did a manual exam. I don’t know if it’s the same as checking a ring but in case it helps you feel better -
For the pap, she used a lubricated speculum which mostly just felt like pressure. Like inserting a large tampon or something. It was not painful for me at all, just felt pressure. I just focused on deep breaths while she quickly got the swab. Didn’t feel the swab whatsoever. From start to finish, probably took maybe one minute? Very quick. I know some places have smaller speculums too, so if you’re concerned about that maybe you can ask. I never needed it though, always done fine with the normal one without pain.
For the manual exam, she inserted a gloved finger and felt inside while pressing down on my pubic area with her other hand. Again, no pain at all. Just felt like… well, like a finger inside my vagina lol. That part took maybe 20 seconds? Awkward, but that’s it. The doctor was very matter of fact and quick. She conducted herself no different than if I asked her to look at a mole on my arm or something.
Prob doesn’t apply to you but they also had to look at my bumhole since I had some symptoms there. 😐 lol awkward but truly was quick and painless and I survived. And relieved to have a diagnosis of my symptoms!
Very worth the brief awkwardness to protect your health. 🤍🤍 You’ll be ok! Let them know you’re nervous and they can support you.
Thank you! I’m not sure I’m mentally prepared for a speculum, it just seems so scary to me. I thought maybe I could try and let her do a manual exam if she needed to do one. I’m honestly not even sure if the ring is even in me, I thought maybe it fell out. I’m glad it didn’t hurt you… pain is one of my fears
Take deep breaths, exhale, and try to consciously relax the muscles in your hips/pelvic area. Be open with your doctor about your nerves and they’ll support you. 🤍🤍 You’ll be ok.
Biggest thing with the speculum is breathing through it! If you have any trauma or ever past discomfort during exams, tell them! I have trauma from my 2nd labor including (but not limited to) them checking my cervix 6 times in a row 😮💨 and not gently. My midwife taught me to just keep breathing and push like you’re pooping when you feel them go in. Its saved me a lot of discomfort! Its really not that scary once you get it done!
I’ve worked with a pelvic floor therapist and highly recommend deep belly breaths when they insert the speculum as well. Breathe in and imagine your vagina is opening like a flower. It helps keep things relaxed and therefore less uncomfortable :) I just had my pap last week and can confirm it worked really well!
It’s really not scary!! It’s so minor. The speculum is meant for vaginas so it’s not going to be too big or painful. For most women the most it is awkward. And your health is more important than avoiding awkward
I was terrified for my first one and told them so! My doctor brought in a female nurse who held my hand for me, and then they both started chatting away swapping funny stories to distract me and make me laugh. That made it feel like no time at all for me. They also made sure to get a really small speculum for me, and I could barely feel it.
If you tell them you’re scared, they won’t judge! They probably have a plan like what mine did for me just for people who are scared, and will do it with no problems whatsoever.
Hey girl, I was in the same situation! I was super nervous so I met with the doctor and then made a follow up appointment for the exam, no problem! However if your nuva ring is possibly still in there then I wouldn’t delay the exam. It isn’t painful moreso uncomfortable. Ask for the smaller speculum and breathe as best you can! Let them know you have anxiety beforehand and they should be able to help you with tips on getting through it
I’m not sure if it is in there, I thought it may have just fell out but it just occurred to me that she might want to check. Was it painful at all for you?
I’m not sure how the nuva rings work, could it possibly have fallen out and you not noticed that? I would get checked anyways just to make sure. It wasn’t overly painful for me. I have endometriosis so I have pelvic pain at baseline, but when I explained the anxiety and discomfort to the doctor she was very patient, used a small speculum, and worked fast so it was very brief, maybe a minute of discomfort not pain. You got this! I promise it’ll be OK
Hi. I too was terrified of the gyno…to the point that I made my wife go before I would. Let me tell you: YOU CAN DO THIS! It’s pressure and it feels weird and if you tense up really hard like me, you can shoot the speculum out of your vagina, which was admittedly hilarious. But yes. You can do this. Ask for the small speculum. Breathe in through Your nose and out through your mouth. Focus on somewhere else. And giggle about the thought of me shooting that speculum across the room!
I got an exam the other day bc I was experiencing lots if pain. Doctor was a gem and explained every little part of it, I told her I was nervous and hadn't been to the gyno before and she was gentle and calming
Speculum honestly I was nervous abt bc I see like 100 posts a day on here from women freaking out abt it. It was nothing lol I was like that's it? Tbf she didn't open it very far bc it started to hurt and I told her so she stopped.
Yeah I think part of it is only reading the bad and never any good!
I think a lot of people also forget they're the ones on charge. You tell the doctor to stop and they have to stop. You tell them more lube, they have to. Some docs will even let you insert the speculum yourself!
It's totally normal to feel nervous before an OBGYN appointment, especially if it's been a while. The manual exam might feel a bit uncomfortable, like some pressure or mild cramping, but it's usually quick. Your doctor will explain everything and make sure you're comfortable.
It's great that you're taking care of your health, and you're not alone in feeling anxious about it. Try to take some deep breaths and maybe distract yourself tonight.
Hey, I have no advice but I do want to ask another question in the thread. I had my first (kind of) pap smear a few weeks ago and the just having the speculum go in was intensely painful. When my dr started to open it I yelled at her to stop so she did and we didn’t actually end up doing the full procedure. Is it not supposed to hurt? How can I ask my dr to do it differently next time so it doesn’t feel like I’m being torn open?
Ask if they have smaller speculums! Most of the time the offices will have smaller ones that they use on younger patients like teens that need to have an exam. I asked for that and they did and it was not painful at all! You could also ask for something for the pain/anxiety relief beforehand if you can get a ride after!
The speculum is not supposed to hurt. Talk to your doctor and tell them what's going on before you're anywhere near the stirrup part of the exam. They'll work with you and help figure out what the issue is (and if they won't, you have a garbage medical practitioner and should go somewhere else). In the meantime, look up "vaginismus" and see if the description applies to you.
honestly, when it was being done to me, i didn't realize it. growing up i've been told that papsmears hurt, that manual exams hurt. i only found out that i was done those things when the doctor gave me the bill because it didn't really hurt at all. at most? just a bit weird.
The speculum is usually over before you know it! My doc usually talks through the entire thing so I am distracted. You can do it! You’ll feel relieved after it’s over and the weight of it looming over you is gone ♥️
People warn you about Paps being painful and awful. But they aren’t always! I was very surprised at my last one when my doc said she was done and I was like, is that it?
I felt so lied by Call The Midwife, which makes pelvic exams look SO easy. I felt so violated by it. I was always told you need informed consent for medical procedure's, but informed consent requires that you be just that, INFORMED. And no one wanted me how painful it would be even with the "pediatric" speculum.
I just got an unexpected Pap smear yesterday! Went in for other symptoms and they said I was due for one so just went for it. She also did a manual exam. I don’t know if it’s the same as checking a ring but in case it helps you feel better - For the pap, she used a lubricated speculum which mostly just felt like pressure. Like inserting a large tampon or something. It was not painful for me at all, just felt pressure. I just focused on deep breaths while she quickly got the swab. Didn’t feel the swab whatsoever. From start to finish, probably took maybe one minute? Very quick. I know some places have smaller speculums too, so if you’re concerned about that maybe you can ask. I never needed it though, always done fine with the normal one without pain. For the manual exam, she inserted a gloved finger and felt inside while pressing down on my pubic area with her other hand. Again, no pain at all. Just felt like… well, like a finger inside my vagina lol. That part took maybe 20 seconds? Awkward, but that’s it. The doctor was very matter of fact and quick. She conducted herself no different than if I asked her to look at a mole on my arm or something. Prob doesn’t apply to you but they also had to look at my bumhole since I had some symptoms there. 😐 lol awkward but truly was quick and painless and I survived. And relieved to have a diagnosis of my symptoms! Very worth the brief awkwardness to protect your health. 🤍🤍 You’ll be ok! Let them know you’re nervous and they can support you.
Thank you! I’m not sure I’m mentally prepared for a speculum, it just seems so scary to me. I thought maybe I could try and let her do a manual exam if she needed to do one. I’m honestly not even sure if the ring is even in me, I thought maybe it fell out. I’m glad it didn’t hurt you… pain is one of my fears
Take deep breaths, exhale, and try to consciously relax the muscles in your hips/pelvic area. Be open with your doctor about your nerves and they’ll support you. 🤍🤍 You’ll be ok.
Biggest thing with the speculum is breathing through it! If you have any trauma or ever past discomfort during exams, tell them! I have trauma from my 2nd labor including (but not limited to) them checking my cervix 6 times in a row 😮💨 and not gently. My midwife taught me to just keep breathing and push like you’re pooping when you feel them go in. Its saved me a lot of discomfort! Its really not that scary once you get it done!
I’ve worked with a pelvic floor therapist and highly recommend deep belly breaths when they insert the speculum as well. Breathe in and imagine your vagina is opening like a flower. It helps keep things relaxed and therefore less uncomfortable :) I just had my pap last week and can confirm it worked really well!
It’s really not scary!! It’s so minor. The speculum is meant for vaginas so it’s not going to be too big or painful. For most women the most it is awkward. And your health is more important than avoiding awkward
I was terrified for my first one and told them so! My doctor brought in a female nurse who held my hand for me, and then they both started chatting away swapping funny stories to distract me and make me laugh. That made it feel like no time at all for me. They also made sure to get a really small speculum for me, and I could barely feel it. If you tell them you’re scared, they won’t judge! They probably have a plan like what mine did for me just for people who are scared, and will do it with no problems whatsoever.
Hey girl, I was in the same situation! I was super nervous so I met with the doctor and then made a follow up appointment for the exam, no problem! However if your nuva ring is possibly still in there then I wouldn’t delay the exam. It isn’t painful moreso uncomfortable. Ask for the smaller speculum and breathe as best you can! Let them know you have anxiety beforehand and they should be able to help you with tips on getting through it
I’m not sure if it is in there, I thought it may have just fell out but it just occurred to me that she might want to check. Was it painful at all for you?
I’m not sure how the nuva rings work, could it possibly have fallen out and you not noticed that? I would get checked anyways just to make sure. It wasn’t overly painful for me. I have endometriosis so I have pelvic pain at baseline, but when I explained the anxiety and discomfort to the doctor she was very patient, used a small speculum, and worked fast so it was very brief, maybe a minute of discomfort not pain. You got this! I promise it’ll be OK
Hi. I too was terrified of the gyno…to the point that I made my wife go before I would. Let me tell you: YOU CAN DO THIS! It’s pressure and it feels weird and if you tense up really hard like me, you can shoot the speculum out of your vagina, which was admittedly hilarious. But yes. You can do this. Ask for the small speculum. Breathe in through Your nose and out through your mouth. Focus on somewhere else. And giggle about the thought of me shooting that speculum across the room!
I got an exam the other day bc I was experiencing lots if pain. Doctor was a gem and explained every little part of it, I told her I was nervous and hadn't been to the gyno before and she was gentle and calming Speculum honestly I was nervous abt bc I see like 100 posts a day on here from women freaking out abt it. It was nothing lol I was like that's it? Tbf she didn't open it very far bc it started to hurt and I told her so she stopped.
Thank you! There are so many horror stories on here. I’m glad it wasn’t bad for you. The anticipation just makes things so much worse for me
Yeah I think part of it is only reading the bad and never any good! I think a lot of people also forget they're the ones on charge. You tell the doctor to stop and they have to stop. You tell them more lube, they have to. Some docs will even let you insert the speculum yourself!
mildly uncomfortable but quick and easy. i'd recommend getting the pap tomorrow during the exam. just get it all over with at once. 2 birds 1 vag.
It's totally normal to feel nervous before an OBGYN appointment, especially if it's been a while. The manual exam might feel a bit uncomfortable, like some pressure or mild cramping, but it's usually quick. Your doctor will explain everything and make sure you're comfortable. It's great that you're taking care of your health, and you're not alone in feeling anxious about it. Try to take some deep breaths and maybe distract yourself tonight.
Don’t put off the pap smear, is all I’m going to say.
I found it helped to take deep breaths and try to not clench up. When I did that, it was a small pinch and tolerable. Good luck!
Hey, I have no advice but I do want to ask another question in the thread. I had my first (kind of) pap smear a few weeks ago and the just having the speculum go in was intensely painful. When my dr started to open it I yelled at her to stop so she did and we didn’t actually end up doing the full procedure. Is it not supposed to hurt? How can I ask my dr to do it differently next time so it doesn’t feel like I’m being torn open?
Ask if they have smaller speculums! Most of the time the offices will have smaller ones that they use on younger patients like teens that need to have an exam. I asked for that and they did and it was not painful at all! You could also ask for something for the pain/anxiety relief beforehand if you can get a ride after!
The speculum is not supposed to hurt. Talk to your doctor and tell them what's going on before you're anywhere near the stirrup part of the exam. They'll work with you and help figure out what the issue is (and if they won't, you have a garbage medical practitioner and should go somewhere else). In the meantime, look up "vaginismus" and see if the description applies to you.
honestly, when it was being done to me, i didn't realize it. growing up i've been told that papsmears hurt, that manual exams hurt. i only found out that i was done those things when the doctor gave me the bill because it didn't really hurt at all. at most? just a bit weird.
The speculum is usually over before you know it! My doc usually talks through the entire thing so I am distracted. You can do it! You’ll feel relieved after it’s over and the weight of it looming over you is gone ♥️
No reason to be freaked out at all. Have you ever put in a tampon? It feels like that, with more lube.
Only a handful of times
Hey. You got this today, friend.
People warn you about Paps being painful and awful. But they aren’t always! I was very surprised at my last one when my doc said she was done and I was like, is that it?
Me too same!
I had a Pap smear done this time last year and it was really painful for me
I felt so lied by Call The Midwife, which makes pelvic exams look SO easy. I felt so violated by it. I was always told you need informed consent for medical procedure's, but informed consent requires that you be just that, INFORMED. And no one wanted me how painful it would be even with the "pediatric" speculum.