Women: Have you had your annual exam?

[Cheyenne]

While I was on the plane yesterday, I read an article written by a physician assistant. It said something like 24% of women have NOT had an annual exam in the past year. The article gave examples of reasons women are "afraid" to have their exam, including being afraid to hear bad news. The author also added a few other tidbits:

She doesn't care if you have hair or are shaved so don't let that keep you from being examined.

She hasn't met a pussy in over 20 years that had a smell so bad she found it disgusting. Odor can sometimes help pinpoint health problems though.

She doesn't care if you have ugly feet. Keep your shoes on if you must, but bare that pussy.

The speculum isn't that bad if you don't tense up while it is being inserted. (Personally, my doc is very good and the speculum isn't even uncomfortable for me.)


So, how many of you have not had your annual exam/pap smear and why have you not gone to the doctor? Same reasons as the article gave or other reasons?

 

[riff]

Who are you? The Sharon Mitchell of literotica?

~bump~

 

[Lusciousladyf]

Shame on me...

I do confess I have not had one recently and I know I should! *smacks hand*

When I was younger...I was mortified for many reasons but most of it was ignorance and fear of the unknown.

Now I know what they consist of and still resist making the trip...but mostly, for me, it is no health insurance and not enough funds.

I know...it is a great excuse...for I know I can find somewhere if I try hard enough...

Now look what you did....I feel soooooooo guilty now!
*reaching for the phone*

Seriously though...I should go given my family history alone...and maybe that is why I don't. I am afraid of what they might find...isnt that just crazy?

That is my .02 worth!

Thanks and enjoy your day!

 

[Cheyenne]

Who are you? The Sharon Mitchell of literotica?

Nope, not exactly. I'm just someone who reads a lot and passes on helpful info when I find it.

This particular article caught my eye because of the comment on women not going in for their exam because they have shaved their pussy and are not sure what the doc will say. Been there, done that. And I've never gotten a comment on my bare pussy from my doc, but I was worried the first time I went in bare for my annual exam. It didn't keep me from going, but I can see where it may be used as an excuse by some women.

 

[Cheyenne]

Re: Shame on me...

Now look what you did....I feel soooooooo guilty now!
*reaching for the phone*

I have to admit, that was a goal in posting this- getting at least a few of you to pick up the phone and make that appointment. One regular member told me in a PM she knows she needs to go but has been afraid of what she will hear, too. You're the second. I hope by the time I get home from work tonight that this thread is full of women saying they've made their appointments to get their exams done!

 

[Lusciousladyf]

Thank you!

Yes, You did provoke and place that thought into my mind. It is one of those things that I know I SHOULD do...and then it drops down on the list rapidly because I don't WANT to!

Sometimes I think it is the word "should" that makes me resist...I feel as if I am being told what to do...I was not much good with authority figures...ohhh, but that is another thread altogether!

Thanks for the great thread and information. I will be checking into the clinic on my campus and make an appointment!

Have a great day at work!

 

[Lusciousladyf]

Important message....

and a shameless ~bump~ as I head off to school to schedule my appointment....and oh...to attend class as well!

Ciao

 

[alexandraaah]

I've never waited this long..

I'm on my way to my appointment right now. 10:45am to be exact.

 

[CelestialBody]

No, but I really need to

 

[Calamity Jane]

I have an exam scheduled for April 5. I skipped my exam last year, and that was the first one I've missed in almost 10 years. Part of it was no insurance, and I hate going to planned parenthood... cold speculums and evil nurses... but also because I'm scared. I know things aren't quite as they should be, and I hate to hear bad news.

Anyway, thanks to a PM session with a friend on here a couple weeks ago, we both made appointments. Cross your fingers all is well.

CB, let the doc know when you make the appointment that you also want a BC consut, and that you want your partner there. Do you know what options you're considering? That's probably a thread in itself, but lots of us here have been on various forms of BC with varying results, so you may want to ask some questions before you go to the doc so you're armed with questions for him.

If you can't talk to family, you know you can talk to us. Right?

 

[April]

I don't remember how long it's been. Less than two years, but more than one I think. I've been thinking that I should make an appointment, too. Maybe I'll go to the clinic tomorrow then.

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[CHEWEY]

Yearly Exams

Yes i have had mine, Chy, but you are right. I have alot of cancer in my family, so I always make sure every year to do that. Doesn't stop me from smoking but I still have those 2 disgusting things. There is nothing, in my opinion, more humiliating than doing the big V in front of a guy that still has his clothes off with no intentions of taking them off! And guys if ya wanna know what a mammogram is like, lay your dick on the toilet seat and slam the lid down on it. Actually, it doesn't happen that quick It is a small price to pay in order to see my grandkids grow up! I am very big chested so there is some pain involved with a mammogram but it doesn't hurt as bad as it would if they had to take them off. Besides the obvious pain, knowing that ya could have prevented it will hurt worse. Someone said they didn't like bad news? Ya wanna wait till those are your only options? It takes a total of approx. 40 minutes, for both, 5 hours waiting time a year! I think my life is worth that!

 

[Cheyenne]

Public Service announcement BUMP for the evening shift

CB- I can tell you there should be no fear of the speculum. If you get a doctor who knows what she (or he) is doing, it should be painless. It took awhile for me to find her, but I have such a doctor now. The first time I met her, I told her my fear of her hurting me and she was excellent talking me through everything as she did the exam. And it didn't hurt! Now I've been seeing her long enough that we just chit-chat while she is doing the exam. It is over with before I even know it.

There's lots of great info on bc if you search the internet, too. I'd suggest trying to narrow down the options to a couple that you're interested in and then ask the doc for more info or a recommendation for you. You should be able to get the exam and bc advice/prescription all in one visit.

 

[freakygirl]

I have an exam scheduled for April 5. I skipped my exam last year, and that was the first one I've missed in almost 10 years. Part of it was no insurance, and I hate going to planned parenthood... cold speculums and evil nurses... but also because I'm scared. I know things aren't quite as they should be, and I hate to hear bad news.

Anyway, thanks to a PM session with a friend on here a couple weeks ago, we both made appointments. Cross your fingers all is well.

Yep.. she made me promise to call (and I made her promise too)... May is when I'm going. It's been over 6 years for me.. I know.. I know.. no lectures please. I don't have insurance.. and I hadn't had any problems until now. soooo... we will see what happens.

 

[Wiggles]

I know, I just know, that I'm going to sound all 'newbieish' with this question but.....

Isn't there a certain age where you're supposed to start going annually? Or is just from the time you get your period? Am I getting this confused with mammograms?

I've only been once, wasn't too bad, I wouldn't feel intimidated by going again. Although those paper dresses are just wrong...

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[Wiggles]

21, 18 if you're sexually active.

Darn. Thanks though!

 

[Cheyenne]

I know, I just know, that I'm going to sound all 'newbieish' with this question but.....

Isn't there a certain age where you're supposed to start going annually? Or is just from the time you get your period? Am I getting this confused with mammograms?

I've only been once, wasn't too bad, I wouldn't feel intimidated by going again. Although those paper dresses are just wrong...

I think I read 18 or sexually active, whichever comes first, for beginning regular exams.

The mammogram was added to my annual exam when I turned 40. The explanation I got for it not being used for younger women is that breasts are more dense in younger women and that makes the mammograms harder to read. Mammograms actually begin to show abnormalities easier at approximately age 40. Breast cancer also is more common in older women so there is more benefit to getting the xray as you age.

 

[alexandraaah]

If I could vote twice I'd say that now I've gone.

Everything seems fine, but I'll get my pap results in a couple weeks.

 

[Mischka]

When I was 21, I got an abnormal pap smear result. After a follow-up returned the same result, I underwent more tests and it turned out I had pre-cervical cancer. There were zero outward signs of my condition. I had part of my cervix removed via a laser, and after a minimum of three paps a year for the past five years, I am completely in the clear.

Had I not gotten diagnosed when I did, the doctor said that it could have spread to the entire cervix, and caused me to lose the whole thing (if not worse). As it stands, I will still be able to conceive children if I so choose. If I had let it go untreated, I would not have that choice.

So go schedule those appointments, ladies!

 

[TN_Vixen]

I try not to go more than a year

but it's been about a year and 1/2 for me now. Last time I had an abnormal pap, but it turned out to be just a misreading, thank God. I've scheduled an appointment for next month. What I'm NOT looking forward to is the mammogram that is required once you reach the age of 35. I just can't imagine having my breast squashed to an inch width. (cringe)

As for the speculum, it is always uncomfortable for me - not due to my ob/gyn, but just because it's very uncomfortable to have it inserted and cranked open. I'm sore for at least a day afterwards.

 

[Cheyenne]

So go schedule those appointments, ladies!

Thanks, Mischka. You were very young to have a problem found in a pap, but it does happen. Just because cancer "usually" happens to older women doesn't mean it can't happen to those who are young.

I think I shouldn't have labeled this thread for just women. The men of the board can have a lot of influence in getting their wives/SO's to schedule their annual exams. I wonder how many of the men know if their wife/SO has gone to the doc within the last year?

 

[Aphrodisiac]

I already went and had my annual exam this year(Feb).
This is the 2nd time I go ... I decided to get on BC last year and went to the gyno.

While I was terrified of going, I got up the nerve and made the appointment.

I must confess the only reason I went was because I wanted BC. But all came out well and even though I dislike going, its only once a year ... so its not that bad.

 

[hatara]

OK I am good and bad on this. I do go for the annual exam and the PAP smear no amount of discomfort for a short time is worth the risk of not doing it.

However I must confess I was suppose to go for a mammogram last year but never did. I am a 38DD and I know that when my mom went for one they hurt her so badly she was bruised for weeks. Now though I am where there is a much better hospital and this should not be a factor.

I have a few dr's appts this week and I will call and schedule it. Thanks for making me face it and posting this thread.