Choose a Doctor who you are
comfortable with. This might be a female or male Doctor. The most important thing, is that
you feel comfortable with the Doctor you choose. The best advice here, might be to go with
your gut feelings. The best doctor is the one who makes you feel comfortable.
Remember your rights! If at
any stage before or during a pap smear you want things to stop, then this is your right.
For example, you have the right to cancel your appointment at any time before the
examination.. Similarly, if you are already in the examination room and you want things to
stop, the it is your right to tell the doctor/nurse that you would like the procedure to
stop.
Keep in mind that pap smears
are only conducted by professionals who know what they are doing.
Whilst sometimes
uncomfortable, the test itself is painless. You can help reduce any discomfort by being as
relaxed as possible. The more relaxed your muscles are, especially the muscles in your
lower body, then the more likely you are to have a pap smear which is not uncomfortable.
Remember, that a large part of feeling relaxed can come down to choosing the right doctor
for you.
If you are feeling really
uncomfortable about having a pap smear, it may be a good ideas to talk to your doctor
about this. Together, you may be able to work out some good ideas and/or agreements to
help reduce your discomfort. For example, in the case that your doctor does not have a
screen to undress behind and this makes you uncomfortable, you could negotiate an
agreement with your doctor to provide a screen on the day of your pap smear appointment.
The solution to this problem might be as simple as your doctor borrowing a screen from the
doctor in the next room.
If you feel unsure about how
clean and sterile the process is, ask your doctor some questions about how they ensure
hygiene and safety. For example, ask your doctor what procedures they take to sterilize
equipment.
