I've also never heard of getting a pap done before hrt. Do you have a doctor you normally go to? Ask her why she needs a pap before T and not a levels test. Levels are done with the blood and have pretty much nothing to do with a pap which is a screening for cancers. If you are a virgin and she isn't listening, basically say you want another nurse.
I didn't have a pap done right before, but only years before when I was being tested because of a PH imbalance, I had swabs/pelvic exams done before that and it was very pleasant and did not hurt. They did a level check on me and wanted me to get the HPV shot because of my age. I didn't need a pap for HPV, they asked me if I still wanted to get it since I was on the cusp of the age cut off and I said yes. I had my pap after I was already doing HPV shots, my regular physician saw that I'd never had one. I went in voluntarily for one and I found it very similar to a swab. This was done this year.
It was really quick, while a male gyno and I was so nervous that he was done before I knew it. I kept my binder on the whole time, He was quick and efficient and didn't gender my genitals because I was at a LGBT clinic. For me It didn't hurt because he was very gentle. When I had swabs at Planned Parenthood they were also very gentle even though they had to do mutiple tests on me since I was having an alergic reaction and they needed to know why. No pain, no cramping. Honestly I don't like them because of a history of being uncomfortable with traumatic reasons too, and they wanted a nurse to come in with me because of it but I refused since I knew I'd panic more. My doc distracted me the whole time (less than 1 or 2 min) and the experience was less invasive than any swab I'd had done so I could immediately forget about it and continue my day without any stress or bad reactions.
Honestly people sort of underhype the need for HPV shoots and why faab people really need them. PIV isn't the only reason why you could contract HPV, this is for anyone. You have to had not had your genitals touch just about anyone else's in a sexual way to be sure that you don't have it, and it's still a good idea b/c it's basically insurance, as it prevents strains of HPV in the future. This is for anybody who is faab, not just transmen or women.
External sex indeed does count with HPV, basically it's like any sTI/STD
http://www.hpvinfo.ca/adults/frequently-asked-questions/The reason they want you to get a pap/pelvic for a hysto is to make sure you don't have any abnormalities etc. It's basically doctor's covering their butts medically too to show that you either do or don't have abnormalities before they go into surgery. They need to know and have it on record. Looking at diagrams can make you feel so out of this world, I looked at one and immediately got dysphoric. I remember reading stuff on another forum where people would constantly hype up how much pain they were in before disclosing they had endo later on. Take the precautions that you need in having someone with if you need/sedation. If you get sedation definitely take another person with you to the appointment.
