You know that Pap smears play a key part in your gynecological care, screening you for early warning signs of cervical cancer. But your last Pap was such an unpleasant experience that you put off scheduling your next screening.
Why do so many women find Pap smears physically or emotionally uncomfortable? And, what can you do to make this part of your healthcare easier on you while still receiving the preventive gynecology screenings you need?
Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and the OBGYN team at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin provide Pap smears to new and existing patients from locations in Odessa and Midland, Texas. If you’ve struggled with discomfort around Pap smears in the past, talk to Dr. Bridges about what could be causing your pain, as well as potential strategies to improve your treatment experience.
A Pap smear involves collecting a tissue sample from your cervix, the opening to your uterus located at the top of your vaginal canal. After collection, the sample goes to a lab where your cells are checked for any signs of abnormal growth, which may signal the presence of cervical cancer. To collect the tissue sample, your provider at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin uses a speculum to open your vagina and reaches into your vaginal canal with a swab.
Some people find the speculum used during a Pap smear physically uncomfortable. It might feel cold, or you may experience vaginal pain or pinching when it’s in place. And, especially if you have sexual trauma, you may find the exam process invasive or even psychologically triggering.
It’s not abnormal to experience discomfort during a Pap smear. Factors from your past experiences to your physiology may make these tests a trial. But, since this type of screening is so important for cervical cancer prevention, it’s also not a good idea to avoid Pap smears when you’re due. So, how can you handle feeling uncomfortable during your exam?
To make your Pap smear more comfortable, discuss your past experiences and concerns with Dr. Bridges and our team here at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin. Then, we work with you to develop a personalized plan to approach your Pap smear in a way that minimizes your discomfort as much as possible.
If you find Pap smears uncomfortable due to psychological or emotional factors, you may benefit from breathing exercises to reduce stress, calming music, or other stress management techniques. Dr. Bridges can also recommend providers to address your psychological distress more directly, including experienced and compassionate counselors.
To reduce physical discomfort, we can warm the speculum before your exam. If needed, we may be able to use a smaller-sized speculum designed for patients who find Pap smears very difficult to tolerate.
Suffering from painful Pap smears in the past doesn’t mean you can’t keep your cervical cancer screenings on track today. With the right approach, your discomfort lessens, or may even cease to be an issue for you. It’s important to us that you receive care in comfort, and we prioritize communicating with you about adjustments to make your screening as stress-free as possible.
To schedule a Pap smear, contact Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin online or over the phone today.
