Hello all,
So I'm currently 22 years old and Have never had a pap before. It is recommended to get at least one by the time your 18 or at least that's what I've been told. I haven't really had any problems that would cause me to actually go. The only abnormality I have is that I skip months when it comes to shark week. There are times when I could go three or four months without one. Oh I guess I should include that I'm pre everything. Well part of me is scared when it comes to going because 1) What if something is wrong and my skipped months are a symptom and 2) Having someone poke around would make me dysphoric. I am going to man up and make the appointment because overall health is EXTREMELY important. I was just wondering if any of you guys have any advice in making it easier.
its usually by the time your 21, you need to go, it lasts maybe a whole idk 20 secs, I'm like you with the getting the period once every three months deal, went to a doctor about it (before I was out), and they did a hormone test on me, turned out my testosterone was higher than normal in girls (go figure), and that i had something called pcos. Basically if I wanted kids, would take a few tries or need to go to a fertility clinic (not that big of a deal now). They try to counter act it, by giving you birth control pills cause it has estrogen in them, say no if your going to transition. Hope this helped.
maximusloverus, I am 23 and never had an exam down there or pap and never want any. I don't know if you use any of those parts. I am told that if you don't use them you can delay having a pap. I have only had tampons in me and have no plans for a pap at this time. I hope I am in a position to have those extra parts removed before I do.
Its extremely important that we transguys still have paps. Its just as important as women because we still have the downstairs plumbing. I have been getting paps for 20 years, at least one a year (had to have 5 this past year due to some medical issues) and I find that male doctors are actually more gentle in general, like they're more afraid of hurting you where as the females just go in there and do it because they think they know what will feel uncomfortable. I'm sure there are exceptions to this but this is just what I've seen with the many Drs I've had over the years.
When you go in, they will ask if you are sexually active.... If you do not have vaginal sex tell them that. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! I cant stress enough how important that question is because it depends on how "loose" you are and that tells them what size speculum they will use and if they use one too large it will make it much more uncomfortable.
If you are not aware of how it goes this is basically what will happen. The Dr will have you disrobe and cover up with a sheet they provide. My Dr never has me take off my top just the bra/binder, etc that I'm wearing and he lifts the shirt when he does the breast exam. Some Drs will have you disrobe 100% and give you a paper robe to wear instead.
If you're in the USA male Drs by law cannot do exams without a female in the room so there will be a female nurse that will come in with him to assist and observe to make sure he isnt touching you wrong at any point. So the Dr and nurse come back in the room after you're out of your cloths, they will then use the speculum to do the pap where a long q-tip is inserted and they swab inside. Then the speculum is remove and the Dr will do the pelvic exam which consists of him putting his hand up there and pressing from the outside and inside at the same time to feel your parts like the ovaries to make sure all feels normal. Then they will do a breast exam by pressing around each of them in a circle to check for lumps. Overall the entire process is pretty quick and slightly uncomfortable but relatively painless, unless you like about your sexual activity level. If they ask if you are sexually active but nobody penetrates you vaginally then do not blindly answer yes to that question, tell them the truth. Thats the best advice I can offer.
Quote from: overdrive on January 30, 2014, 12:30:43 PM
Its extremely important that we transguys still have paps. Its just as important as women because we still have the downstairs plumbing. (Snip snip snippity snip.)
Not to detract from the thread but frankly, that's the most traumatizing thing I've read in a while and definitely does not help in the "it's necessary, get it done" department. In fact, now it's in the "never happening unless I'm dying" department. :-\
Quote from: Frank on January 30, 2014, 02:36:28 PM
Not to detract from the thread but frankly, that's the most traumatizing thing I've read in a while and definitely does not help in the "it's necessary, get it done" department. In fact, now it's in the "never happening unless I'm dying" department. :-\
I have no idea why you added the words "(Snip snip snippity snip.)" to the end of my quote, trying to make it look like I wrote them, instead of in your own reply. I never said anything about snipping anything as you can read in my post above and clearly see it wasn't edited to remove anything.
Why it would be more traumatizing to get a pap & pelvic after reading how they really work is beyond me and it doesn't lessen the fact that weather we like it or not we have the same biology downstairs (more or less) than cis women, unless of course there have been surgeries to add/remove things.
Pap and pelvic exams can catch conditions that are treatable and its not a good idea to avoid it due to fear or any other reason as some conditions can be life threatening.
Quote from: overdrive on January 30, 2014, 12:30:43 PM
I find that male doctors are actually more gentle in general, like they're more afraid of hurting you where as the females just go in there and do it because they think they know what will feel uncomfortable.
Interesting that you mention that, I saw a student doctor who mentioned to me once that my male GP had a theory that male doctors were more gentle for that very reason. Guess that he was right on the money, at least from your experiences.
I've never had a pap, I'll only need to have one before my hysterectomy, and I'm pretty nervous about that. I'm actually more worried about the physical pain that the dysphoria.
I've had 3 dr's look at my stuff, but neither of those were for a pap. I think the same kinda thing happened that would have in a pap though, it really wasn't that bad. You just spread your legs either in the stirups, or frog style (feet together and knees apart)
anyway they just finger you, and then use that device that they put inside and then widen so they can see your cervix
it wasn't that painful and the worst part is just knowing that your stuff is right in a strangers face, just remember that they are professionals and have seen everything, the exam will be done in less then 5 minutes and the awkwardness is over.
I found it comforting to call ahead and check to see if they have experience with transgendered men.
Quote from: overdrive on January 30, 2014, 03:33:58 PM
I have no idea why you added the words "(Snip snip snippity snip.)" to the end of my quote, trying to make it look like I wrote them, instead of in your own reply. I never said anything about snipping anything as you can read in my post above and clearly see it wasn't edited to remove anything.
Why it would be more traumatizing to get a pap & pelvic after reading how they really work is beyond me and it doesn't lessen the fact that weather we like it or not we have the same biology downstairs (more or less) than cis women, unless of course there have been surgeries to add/remove things.
Pap and pelvic exams can catch conditions that are treatable and its not a good idea to avoid it due to fear or any other reason as some conditions can be life threatening.
I was just cutting it so there wasn't a large double post, no need to flip on me.
The opinion of when you're "supposed" to get a pap smear seems to change from doctor to doctor, but where I am, if you're not sexually active(and they usually mean vaginal sex, but I also think it's supposed to include all forms of sex that may include your parts) they don't usually suggest a pap smear until you're 25. Unless you've noticed an abnormality that you feel they should check you on, then definitely go. If you're against getting a pap done, there is a blood test known as the CSA(Cervical Specific Antigen) that, while not commercially available, can be done with greater accuracy and less trauma on the patient's part. Call around and ask about that if you're more keen on it. I've had it done since I'm not sexually active and have PTSD that gets triggered if another person comes into contact with me there.
kaiju, I have been told the same, not until 25 if you are not sexually active which is my situation completely.
Firstly, I think that the title of this thread needs a serious trigger warning added.
Secondly, I hate to burst anyone's bubbles, but I was told point-blank that I can't have a hysto without a full "downstairs" workup to check for cancer or abnormal pathology - and that includes a pap. I had a pap and yes, it wasn't pleasant and it was triggering - but I would rather know that my body is cancer-free instead of having a doctor snatch everything out and possibly leave behind malignant cells that could metastasize.
Perhaps some doctors would do a hysto without any tests, but I don't personally believe that's a very responsible thing to do. I never had "down there" sex at all, yet was still required to get one. I don't really understand why - but it was required. Just to warn folks that not all doctors will let you get away with not having one and will just go right ahead with a hysto.
Quote from: Kreuzfidel on January 30, 2014, 10:48:01 PM
Firstly, I think that the title of this thread needs a serious trigger warning added.
Secondly, I hate to burst anyone's bubbles, but I was told point-blank that I can't have a hysto without a full "downstairs" workup to check for cancer or abnormal pathology - and that includes a pap. I had a pap and yes, it wasn't pleasant and it was triggering - but I would rather know that my body is cancer-free instead of having a doctor snatch everything out and possibly leave behind malignant cells that could metastasize.
Perhaps some doctors would do a hysto without any tests, but I don't personally believe that's a very responsible thing to do. I never had "down there" sex at all, yet was still required to get one. I don't really understand why - but it was required. Just to warn folks that not all doctors will let you get away with not having one and will just go right ahead with a hysto.
Hell I had to have one to go on depo-provera. Even though I wasn't going on it for the birth control, just for the period stopping.
It was required for me to have one done before I could start T. Not to scare you but my experience was horrible. Not because of the doctors, they were super nice and respectful and I'm sure were trying to be very gentle. I never had anything in that region before & was very painful for me. They were very quick about it though as soon as they seen how much pain I was in. My gf took me to Chili's after that for a drink..
I was putting off going for my second PAP test after a not-so-positive first experience and because like a lot if us I imagine, I have dysphoria about that particular body part.
Having therefore not had one since 2007, I had to face my fears this week and get it done because I've been spotting mid-cycle for a day or two (I'm pre-T) these past 3 or 4 months.
I wasn't sure what's causing this, especially as I've been trying to naturally ramp up my body's testosterone level whilst I'm waiting for my GIC referral appointment, which could take 6 months or more.
For this particular PAP test, I specifically asked that my GP did it instead of the nurse and made a point at the time of booking that it hurt last time (the nurse automatically used the standard-sized implement without asking about my sexual activity level, I guess because I'm so tall).
My GP couldn't have been nicer about doing it. I'm glad I came out to her earlier this year because we could openly discuss my dysphoria and chat about my GIC referral whilst she was doing the test, so that helped me relax more. She also didn't bat an eyelid when I took my boxer trunks off whilst we were getting ready for the test. I bet she doesn't see that kind of underwear often when doing PAP smears!
I can only say, with smaller implements and friendly banter, this time was a far more positive experience. I now regret leaving it so long.
So, I can only speak for myself but not all experiences are bad. I was a classic case of finding every excuse under the sun to keep putting it off so as to not make my dysphoria worse. Bad when I'm significantly older than you (41) which is more reason to have the test.
I
Well I'm at an age where they are kind of necessary. I agree with TheBear that the most important thing is a general practitioner who understands trans people. Mine does these quickly and we can talk about how I feel and so on, which she gets. I think at a certain age, well you don't want cancer.
--Jay
Yea... I've been putting it off for years...
My doc is a transman himself (at a queer health center), so he gets it... He keeps bringing it up, but said it could wait til I was 25 but at that point we just have to. I just turned 25... I don't plan on being very sober for the experience.. He prescribed me some anxiety pills anyhow.
[and if you see the title "dealing with first pap" you should be able to know that it could potentially be a trigger warning. Lets not all get ridiculous here. We all know what a "pap" is and we all know that any title with the word "dealing" should be considered as something that may be a trigger. It it wasn't bothersome (and potentially a trigger to others) one wouldn't need help "dealing" with the matter.]
Quote from: maximusloverus on January 30, 2014, 07:32:07 AM
I was just wondering if any of you guys have any advice in making it easier.
I've only been twice, the first time was when I was 18, the second time was age 25.
I avoided going again for so long because the first time I went it was pretty uncomfortable. The second time was actually a really good experience --- the trick is finding a nurse practitioner or doctor who you like and during the entire thing just keep talking about other stuff. The second time I went, the NP and I just kept talking about stuff not related to the body at all. I was too busy talking and listening to even really notice what was going on, and it was over really quickly. I just liked her, and the other staff, so much that I didn't even feel uncomfortable.
I went to a Planned Parenthood that's trans-friendly for my second exam.
Thanks guys I took your advice with getting my GP since she has trans experience. I made the appointment because overall I do want to keep up on my health and though I had been putting it off I do believe it is very important to get checked out. Knowing that it could be a positive experience is also very comforting.
maximusloverus, good to hear you made the appointment, let us know how everything went for you.
Is it common place for females to get the HPV vaccination at school? It was introduced here and I had it, and therefore do not need to have pap smears (since a majority of cervical cancers are caused by HPV).
HPV vaccine doesn't protect against every single kind of cancer/bad yucky down there. That's why doctors are still doing the pap smears.
I chose not to have the HPV vaccination (I suppose looking back it was a "why on earth do I need this, I'm not female" sort of thing, but I didn't understand it at the time, it just seemed alien to be able to get a female cancer), but we were told that we still needed testing once we reached 25.