Is a gyn. exam painful.?

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Answers:
No, it's not painful. The gynecologist will probably first feel around on the outside of your body - at your uterus. Then, the doctor will look at your external vaginal area. After that, the doctor will put some lubricant on his/her glove and insert one or two fingers inside of your vagina. The doctor is checking to see how your uterus is positioned and perhaps for any anomalies within your vagina, uterus and cervix. Next the doctor will insert a speculum - this is an instrument that, one inserted, can be adjusted to widen the opening to your vagina. The doctor will then take a swab of your cervix so it can be tested for cervical cancer. The doctor will remove the speculum and you'll be done!

There is really nothing to it. It only lasts for about 5 minutes. The first time will probably be a bit embarrassing for you, but just know that the doctor has done this hundreds if not thousands of times.

Good luck!

Other Answers:
A GYN exam is not painful, but it is uncomfortable.
It is more embarrassing than anything else.
And wear socks on your feet, the doctors keep it cold in the room.

No the GYN exam is not painful. More embrassing than anything but it is over pretty fast.
We need those pap smears so go on and get the appointment and be done with it.

Gyn exams can be uncomfortable but if you have the right MD who is experienced and has a good bedside manner, he will encourage you to relax during the exam and it should be tolerable

It only hurts if the doctor is in a rush to just get it done and over with. If you are a virgin then it will hurt a bit. My mom thought I was having sex and made me go get checked so she could find out and put me on birth control. If you are older and are still a virgin then you should still get this done anyway cause it will help catch cancer early along with a few other things.

No it's not painful.

As others have said, it can be uncomfortable. A good doctor will do his or her best to make it easier.

The good news is that the pelvic exam generally does not take very long - at most about 5 minutes. My gyn will run the speculum under warm water first so it is not cold (why are doctors offices always freezing?). The worst part is the actual taking of the pap smear. It doesn't hurt, but it does feels awkward. Having something touch your cervix just isn't something you normally experience. If at any time during the exam you feel pain, though, it is important that you let the doctor know.

Don't let fear stop you from going. Nobody looks forward to their gyn exam, but it really isn't that bad.

Here is an article about what to expect your first time:
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/general_health/wh_gyn.htm

It doesn't really hurt, but can be very uncomfortable depending..there are several things you can do.

1) If you are worried about the embarassment factor that many here seem to be, then go to a female GYN. And try to get a referral from someone who has a female doctor she really likes.

2) Tell the GYN it is your first time and request a small speculum. They have several sizes and have no problem using a smaller one.

3) If your doctor's office doesn't take a urine sample, try to urinate before the exam - nothing worse than having to go to the bathroom when they are pressing on your lower abdomen during the exam.

4) If you are a virgin and haven't used tampons and just don't have a lot of experience with yourself "down there" - get to know yourself if you can. Learn how to relax your muscles - tensing up is the worst thing you can do and causes the "pain"/discomfort that women describe. You can learn about these muscles by doing Kegel exercises. You do this by starting and stopping the flow of your urine while you are going to the bathroom. You'll know how tensing up feels (stopping the urine flow). Try to relax as much as possible and think of something else. It also helps to "bear down" - kind of "push" while they are putting the speculum in. It prevents you from tensing up.

I agree that it is almost always cold in the GYN room - keep your socks on or bring some to wear if you are wearing sandals. :)

Know what to expect. The GYN should aways have an assistant (nurse) in the room (especially important if you have a male doctor). This is for your protection. The GYN will put a metal speculum in your vaginal canal to open it so she can insert a swab and they will scrape some cells for your pap smear. She will also insert her gloved finger, then press on your abdomen to feel the organs to make sure she doesn't feel any abnormalities and that none of them are enlarged. She will also insert her gloved and lubricated finger in your - let's call it intestinal canal for Yahoo's sake - for the same purpose. You will also have a breast exam.

It is such an important exam - it will all be fine. I don't know of one woman who enjoys going for it. It does get better with time and experience though.

Good luck!

No, it is not painful..maybe a bit, should I say, humiliating, especially when you have a male doctor that has to bring in another female nurse/ doctor. Great! Now you have 2 of them in there!

BUT, you know it is for your own good.

I don't agree with everyone else, I think it does hurt. I always get faint and nauseous when the doctor puts in the speculum, and when they do the swab part I almost lose it. Literally want to throw up. I find it to be an unbearable necessity. Most women are better able to tolerate it, I think it's probably just me

Don't tense up of the metal thing can pinch you. That hurts a little bit.

Whether or not it is painful depends upon any number of things such as: Whether or not you are mentally ready for it, the doctor doing the exam, etc. For some women it hurts and for others it does not. Some women have the exam as a routine and others have it only if they want or have a real need for it. It is not necessary and can be refused if offered during a phyical exam for employment, school, etc. It is never reequired. Never. Only the Militiary and the Nasa Space Program requires it if they are to have you in their employ. Nobody but Nobody else does. The exam is even painful for some married and sexually active women. It is not needed to maintain your health. Many women refuse it upon hospital admission, which you can do. That is your right. Never think you don't have a choice but to submit to a gyn or pap smear. You simply don't.

If you are a virgin with an intact hymen and no problems in that area of the body, you have no need of an exam. Under those circumstances it most likely will hurt. You really do not need the exam, or the intimancy of it. You certainly don't need it every damn year.

Try asking for the CSA blood test instead, and don't be afraid of the doctor telling you it would not be accurate. That's to keep you in stirrips. It is more and more rejected now that the CSA test is offered as an alternative to the invasive and sometimes painful pap/gyn exam. Remember, not every woman has the exam. Doctors are worried that the pap will soon be replaced by the CSA blood test, which it will. It's just a matter of time as the days of the pap smear is numbered.

I would also like to add for your information, that there is a new pap smear test called the Sen-C-Test. Developed by a South African doctor, it has now made its way to Korea. It is coming to the United Stated. A website to go to for more information is: Sen-C-Test or senctest.com and also ask your doctor if they offer the self pap test kits. You might just be surprized.

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Is a gyn. exam painful.?

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