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Q: 

Pap Smear Device:

By Anonymous July 6, 2012 - 6:33pm
 
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I had my pap smear done three times last year. The first pap smear was done with a brush which I didn't like because I could literally feel my uterus. I didn't like the pinching factor either. In addition, at night, I couldn't sleep due to the tingling pain side effect that I had due to the brush of the pap smear.
The second and third pap smears were done with the silver metal speculum or spatula which I found it more comfortable and it hurt less afterwards.
My mom believes that the gynecologist used the wrong devices for the pap smear because every time I went for the pap smear there wasn't enough cells for the laboratory. I did notice that the gynecologist had to use different devices to do the pap smear when I went to get it done in three different occasions that same year.

Now, I have to go back for my follow up pap smear and my mom suggested to go to another gynecologist or doctor for the follow up pap smear because of the bad experience that I had with the gynecologist from last year.
I am a virgin and I was wondering if I have the option of telling the doctor that I want the metal spatula or speculum for the follow up pap smear or if I have to tell the nurse that prepares the pap smear items???
I recently saw the doctor who will perform the pap smear on me. I mainly went to see the doctor because I had a white disharge and some irritation. The doctor told me that I have to wait for the yeast infection to clear up before he does the pap smear especially since the area was irritated and sensitive which I agreed in that aspect. I am just worried that the doctor will use the small brush for the pap smear and worried about the side effects because I don't want to go through the bad experience that I had last year with the previous gynecologist.
Any advice or tips in regards to this matter is greatly appreciated.
~Samantha

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Dear Samantha,

This is usually how a pap smear is performed: While you lie on an exam table, the doctor puts an instrument called a speculum into your vagina, opening it to see the cervix. She will then use a special stick or brush to take a few cells from inside and around the cervix. The cells are placed on a glass slide and sent to a lab for examination. While usually painless, a Pap test is uncomfortable for some women.

If you are not comfortable with your doctor, by all means schedule an appointment with another that you may be more comfortable with. 

Good Luck,

Rosa

July 7, 2012 - 4:47pm
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