PAINFUL PAP SMEAR EXAM

I am 58 years old and my last pap was also extremely painful like a knife cutting me.  I had very uncomfortable abdominal pain for a month afterwards.  The Dr. tried to do an internal ultrasound also.  I would not let them finish as it also was very very painful.  I've never had children and had a hysterectomy at age 50.  I do not plan on getting another pap test.

 

My doctor is a gentle, very nice person that I completely trusted and still trust after my appointment today. I am 59 and had the same experience (8/1/2012) it was really painful and I said Stop! So the Dr stopped and went ahead with a "juvenile speculum" which was slighly better. There is some sort of weird, pinchy sensation that is horrible wiyh ANY speculum, it always was but I can't tolerate it now. I think it is fine to DEMAND a Stop, #1. Next time, IF there is one, I will take a muscle relaxer at LEAST. All I can say is you are not alone. Hugs to all of us. Stay healthy.

I recently had to see an Oncologist because my gyn felt it was best for a follow up after my pap. I explained to Oncologist about pain in doctors office. He did the same processes has my gyno. but used smaller instrument and moved very slowly. Did not hurt at all!!!! I need to find a new gyn.

I just come from a pap where I had to ask the nurse to stop, and not to continue. I haven't hd sex in about 10 yrs, so I guess I've tightened up. It never hurt so bad before. I am small, a size 4, so maybe that is related. I

WTF?!!! That doctor sounds sadistic and is minimizing your complaints of pain. You should have kicked her in the face!
Why do women put up with such abuse? Men would never stand for that. I had a gyn exam me last year with long manicured nails. She was a b***h and it hurt. She also pinched my labia several times while adjusting the speculum!!!! IT was INTENTIONAL.  They do this sh*t all day and know what they are doing.  I have a nurse practitioner this year and she lubed a small speculum and I had no pain at all. She adjusted the spec BEFORE inserting it so it wouldn't clip the skin on my labia.

Healthseeker: Because women aren't valued by society and don't DEMAND dignity and pain prevention and relief. If the PAP hurts, and/or they stick an unlubricatated, cold speculum in you without pre-adjusting it and using the smallest one feasible, they are not doing their job (albeit at $150 a pop). Women's healthcare needs to be revolutionized and those archaic speculums are in no way ergonomic. Believe me, if it was a man getting his penis scratched annually for cancer, they would be anestithized!! SO, ladies, DEMAND comfort!!!! DEMAND respect!!!!!

I agree we need to change what happens in OB exam. If we don't speak up we will continue to be abused. I recently went to my oncologist and told him what happens at my gyno, the pain, and after exam pain. When the oncologist examined me, no pain, it was as good as it gets. I need a new gyno who cares.

I have been reading up on the subject since I last posted here.  There is a condition called Vaginal Atrophy - Mayo Clinic has an article that I hope you will all read:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaginal-atrophy/DS00770

or just do a search on vaginal atrophy - all the major medical sites like NIH, John Hopkins etc have info.

Vaginal atrophy "is thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen. Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause, but it can also develop during breast-feeding or at any other time your body's estrogen production declines."

There is a cream called Premarin that I am taking for it, it helps.  I will certainly take it for a week before my next pap smear, if I ever have one again.  Premarin has side effects that are not good, so I use it only occasionally.

I am 59 and they say by age 65 one can stop having paps if you have never had an abnormal one.  I have not so I just may skip the pap from now on.  I was in pain for days and traumatized by the last one I had recently.  Good luck and stay healthy!

I'm 55 years old, postmenopausal, and I just had my annual pap test.  Yes, it did pinch.  But lets be real, it isn't unbearable.  Its uncomfortable, intrusive, and then a momentary pinch and pain.  But just do it and be strong, as its so much better to find any changes in the first stages.  I also feel pain from mammograms and from bloodwork (they cannot find my veins) but I get full physical checkups every year.  I feel great when I find out how my body is working and what needs to be done to keep it working.  I enjoy life!!

I am not discrediting the other posters' worries and concerns, the pap test is extremely uncomfortable for me.  But I believe in early detection and I love the feeling of facing my fears and living with courage.  Please ladies, continue to have annual health screening. Treat yourself to a shopping trip afterwards or meet friends for lunch, but do be strong and get tested. 

Thank you for your honest care and concern. I have had cervical pre cancer and have had laser surgery many years ago. Recently, I went to a gyn Oncologist, and explained about the pain during normal exams. When he did my exam it did not hurt. In fact he also explained about vaginal atrophy, but used smaller speculum and more K-Y. No Pain at all.

Thank you for your reply, but your results are not everyone's. My issue is with having pain, and trying to respond to others who also have pain from physicians who do not address this very real issue.

Count yourself lucky you did not experience pain that lasted for days. For some of us that IS real. We're not talking a minor pinch that is quickly over and minimizing the pain that some of us feel is not helpful.

I second the above, just had a sonohystrogram, have had 2 or 3 biopsies over the years. I strongly requested that the doctor let other professionals know that this pain is excrutiating. I am no stranger to pain having lived with endometriosis for over 30 years. Why cant partial sedation be used during these procedures. As Health Seeker said, WHY ARENT THE DOCTORS LISTENING? The only difference between a sonohystogram and an actual surgery are stiches and no anesthesia. They wouldn't take tissue externally without pain med or partial anesthesia, why is it okay internally during a biopsy?

I am 54 yrs old.  I ceased sexual activity 10 yrs. ago.  Today, my pelvic exam

was so painful that I butt-walked to the back of the table.  All of my previous

exams were uneventful, even last years.  My doctor was young, female and uncaring.

She seemed surprised about the pain, so I thought it was just me.  Then I read what

you all shared.  Thank you.  I am looking for answers and solutions also.

 

 

My last pap in 2010, when I was 58, was off the charts!  I have had regular pap smears all my life.   This one was at a  Veteran's Clinic.  I had seen this guy once before, no problem. This one was extreme, unreasonable and beyond any pap smear I had ever had.   I told him I wasn't sexually active.  There was no evidence of lub when I cleaned up.  Go figure.  A 50 cents piece size, dry plastic specula, in a nickle sized, post menapausal vaginal, with a forced entry is gonna HURT!!!!  I felt it tear and cut like a hot knife.  He stabbed my cervix over and over.  I never understood this.  I was so afraid and traumatized I actually believe this would classify as a sexual assault.  It was no different than being raped.  How could anybody continue with someone screaming and bowed up off the table?  He was cool, calm, and nonchalent like he was used to the drama.  He might as well of said, "Shut up b***h and be still."  I felt dehumanized and violated.  This was far from being a professional medical procedure.  That was my last one, period.  I feel extreme anger every time I think about it.  I was sore for three weeks and was uncomfortable up to three months after this.  My labia was torn up. I was damaged physically and psychologically after this.  Are there not any boundaries on what doctors can get by with? They took an oath, "You will not cause harm."   And another thing.  Where the hell did the nurse get to?  She was there at the beginning but wasn't there when I sat up.  I made sure he didn't do a pelvic or rectal.   I felt like coming off that table and beating his ass.Never again.