Recently I went in for my every two year pap test. yes, this is the most hated test we women have to endure but generally I breeze through it with no problems. however, this time has been terrible. I have had terrible pain and cramps since having the test done. I went back for my follow up and told the doctor it took 5 days from time of test to get over the pain and he was not going to exam me again. Well he said he need to do one more exam to be sure everything was okay. Then he started talking about doing a biopsy even thou my test came back completely normal. Well I am still recovering from this last exam of last Thursday. The pain has been terrible whether I am sitting or laying down. I can not figure out what he is doing that has caused so much pain. Has anyone else here experienced terrible pain after having this test done? If so what did you take or use to make the pain go away? I am still thinking of canceling my next appointment for the biopsy and going elsewhere for second opinion. what do you all think?
Hi Sandy, your problem is a common one suffered by many post menopausal women. Changes in the vagina can make pap tests very painful. Many doctors no longer advocate testing women in their sixties, unless there is a family history of cancer, or the person tests positive for HPV. Most women over forty do not develop cervical cancer. I no longer get tested. Like mother before me, it simply became too painful. My last test was excruciating, my doctor prescribed a week's supply of percoset, once it became apparent that codeine would not cut it. I insisted he take my blood pressure, and check my heart rate when he attempted to dismiss my concerns. If your doctor brushes you off, I would consider going for a second opinion, this time from a female practioner.
The Pap Smear involves simply taking a secretion sample from the outside of the cervix using typically a "Q" tip. Am I wrong in this? Why would sustained reaction, including pain, accompany this? Perhaps, my understanding of it is inadequate. Frank
The Pap test is done during a pelvic exam. A doctor uses a device called a speculum to widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix and vagina can be examined. A plastic spatula and small brush are used to collect cells from the cervix. After the cells are taken, they are placed into a solution. This area can be very sensitive and any molesting can have lasting effect.
Thanks for all your comments. I called my family doctor and tried to get a appointment hoping get something for the pain. However, they told me that they could do nothing and said I should see the bad doctor again. I said like hell, never again. So they said go see a OBGYN. I got an appointment today and tried to explain what happened and my pain problem to a doctor who was non-responsive for the most part. He was unwilling to prescribe any pain medication acting as if that was the sole reason I was there. He examined me and said he could find no reason for my pain and that there was no reason for any biopsy. That part was good news, and he felt that the other doctor had sparked up my fibromyalgia & interstitial cystitis. Since I am allergic to so many medication he decided there was nothing he could do for me and told me to pretty much grin and bear it. So sitting and laying down and walking are all very painful and no meds or creams to make the pain go away. I am dealing with muscle cramps and pain and pretty much pissed off for allowing myself to be examined the second time around by a bad doctor who used little if any sense or knowledge of older female bodies. The doctor today was gentle and used lots of lube but still left me to deal with the pain as if it was no big deal. And I had plans to go hiking this coming weekend. What a let down.
I too have this yearly exam with no pain or discomfort whatsoever, thus I think you should keep you next exam for there could be something else wrong with you that the doctor needs to check on quickly. All the years I've taken the exam there is no problems of especially pain afterwards. Let your doctor know what else you've noticed too since your exam that gave you so much pain. Good luck and God be with you and help you, amen.
I have had some discomfort when having a pelvic exam Sandy....but nothing like you have described. You did mention something about fibromyalgia though...it just might be that this did flare up when you had your pelvic exam and is causing that pain. All our nerves, etc. "work together" and since this is true...fibromyalgia may be your pain culprit here. I am so sorry you are in pain and hope that by the time you read this it will be much better in this area for you.
After seeing the second doctor and being examined I did not have extra pain. I thought may be I had a allergic reaction to the lube the 1st doc used. I have read online that when KY gel is heated it can cause terrible pain or rashes in women. My second doctor thought may be the 1st doc used a too small of a speculum that could cause tearing. Whatever caused it the pain is now gone. Not planning on getting another one done. All tests were normal.