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Pap smear nerves - help! (women only)?
I'm almost 17 and apparently I am due for a pap smear. I've never had one before. I've read about what happens during the exam so am prepared for that. The thing is, I was raped during childhood and have PTSD. I don't even like seeing people hugging in public so I have no idea how i'm going to handle this exam, or even if I'm going to handle it!
Has anyone ever been in a similar situation to mine? What did you do? Any advice for how to get through the exam without completely freaking out!
2 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavourite answer
I'm sorry that you have to deal with this.
I don't have experience to give you, but I wanted to say that you should tell the doctor doing the exam about your PTSD and its origins and that you are really nervous. This way they can be more aware of your feelings and perhaps talk you through the process as you go or even let you watch with a mirror so that you feel you are more in control of the situation.
- 1 decade ago
try and stay calm. The doctor will speak to you during the procedure, just let her know how your feeling and she/he will understand and go very slow and be very careful. They will just insert the speculum very slow and if you say stop they will. They are all about you not getting the procedure done ok! Good luck!
