Is the pap smear more painful if you're a virgin?

When you go for your "pap smear," they do a whole pelvic exam, not just the pap test.

During the pelvic examination, the woman lies on her back with her hips and knees bent and her buttocks moved to the edge of the examining table. Special pelvic examination tables have heel stirrups that help a woman maintain this position. If a woman wants to observe the pelvic examination, she should tell the doctor, who can provide a mirror. The doctor may explain the examination or review the findings before, during, or after the examination. For the examination, the doctor first inspects the external genital area and notes the distribution of hair and any abnormalities, discoloration, discharge, or inflammation. This examination may detect no abnormalities or may give clues to hormonal problems, cancer, infections, injury, or sexual abuse.

The doctor spreads the tissues around the opening of the vagina (labia) and examines the opening. Using a speculum (a metal or plastic instrument that spreads the walls of the vagina apart, which kind of looks like a duck bill), the doctor examines the deeper areas of the vagina and the cervix. The speculum goes into your vagina. It should not hurt, but it may feel uncomfortable and some pressure. If you have never used tampons or had intercourse, you can ask the doctor to use a pediatric speculum which is the smallest speculum available and it won't streth the vaginal walls as much as a normal sized speculum (which can be uncomfortable, but not painful, if you are not used to having things in your vagina). The cervix is examined closely for signs of irritation or cancer. The doctor may use a swab, brush, or small plastic spatula to obtain a sample of the cervical cells for testing, usually a Papanicolaou (Pap) test or a variation of it. You will feel the brush on your cervix but again, it does't hurt it just feels like pressure. The doctor checks for protrusion of the bladder, rectum, or intestine into the vagina.

After removing the speculum, the doctor feels the vaginal wall to determine its strength and support. The doctor also feels for growths or tender areas within the vagina. After inserting the index and middle fingers of one gloved hand into the vagina, the doctor places the fingers of the other hand on the lower abdomen above the pubic bone. Between the two hands, the uterus can usually be felt as a pear-shaped, smooth, firm structure, and its position, size, consistency, and degree of tenderness (if any) can be determined. Then the doctor attempts to feel the ovaries by moving the hand on the abdomen more to the side and exerting slightly more pressure. More pressure is required because the ovaries are small and much more difficult to feel than the uterus. The woman may find this part of the examination to be slightly uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. The doctor determines how large the ovaries are and whether they are tender.

Cervical cytology testing (such as the Pap test) involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope. There are two types of cervical cytology: the conventional test and the liquid-based test. The clinician collects the sample by inserting a speculum into the vagina to spread the walls of the vagina apart and using a plastic spatula (similar to a tongue depressor) to remove some cells from the surface and opening of the cervix. Then, a small bristle brush is inserted into the passageway through the cervix (cervical canal) to obtain cells from the wall of the canal. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where it is examined under a microscope for abnormal cells, which may indicate precancerous changes or, rarely, cervical cancer. Usually, the Pap test feels scratchy or crampy, but it is not painful and takes only a few seconds.

Pap tests identify 80 to 85% of cervical cancers, even very early-stage cancer. They can also detect changes in cervical cells that can lead to cancer (precancerous changes). These changes, called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), can be treated, thus helping prevent cancer.

Pap tests are most accurate if the woman is not having her period and does not douche or use vaginal creams for at least 24 hours before the test.

***Experts recommend that women have the first test about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse but no later than age 21.

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A pap is recommended when you turn 21 or become sexually active. Possibly earlier if you have a nasty family history of issues. They're never fun! Let your gyno know that you are a virgin (you will likely have mentioned it anyway in paperwork - I know for my first exam I had to detail history, etc). It will be very uncomfortable, and possibly a little pinchy but try to relax and put your mind on something else. As far as your hymen goes, as long as the doc does it gently it should not be affected or cause any extra pain. In general, the more tense you are, the more uncomfortable it will be. The tools he or she uses will be cold and slightly uncomfortable (a speculum basically opens the vagina up so the doc can see your cervix), and he/she will just swab your cervix and it will take a couple of seconds. The speculum will come out, and all will be well. You'll get your results within a few days after that. Good luck!

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RE:

Is the pap smear more painful if you're a virgin?

i'm a virgin and i've never had one before.

If you are a virgin, you don't really need a pap smear anyway. In the UK, if you never have sex, you never have a pap smear because over 99% of cervical cancers (what pap smears look for) are caused by HPV infection, and you won't get an HPV infection if you aren't having sex. You should only have a pap smear if you are having some sort of gynaecological problems if you are still a virgin.

Not a virgin, no children and it is GODLY painful, after the last one about 7 years ago I swore 'never again' then last week they convinced me that I really, really needed another one. I screamed like twice during it. While the nurse is lying to my face telling me it isn't painful, that it doesn't hurt it's just pressure. **** It's painful, it's more painful than any sex I ever had, and it left me aching and crying for hours after.

I found it to be far more painful as a virgin. However, almost all of that pain is psychologically based. I was so freaked out about the test, that I was unconsciously tensing up and THAT was what made it hurt.

If you aren't extra tense, you should be fine. Just focus on relaxing and deep breathing. It helps to distract yourself with nicer thoughts.

The pap smear is not painful whether you're a virgin or not.

The speculum they insert to open you can be uncomforable when you're a virgin and not very relaxed.

To the people who said paps are not necessary when you're a virgin: You're very wrong. All women, regardless of whether they are virgins or not, need to get a pap smear every year to check for Cancer. Learn your facts!

Pediatric Speculum

You dont need a pap smear if you are a virgin unless you are having feminine complications.

personally, I just had it done today, and it hurt SO badly.I am not sure if it was because I am a virgin or not, but yes it hurt. I had to ask her to stop, and that was with the pediatric speculum. I could only imagine what a normal one would be like.