[littlelily613]

I just went for my first pap today, and well, it didn't go very well. She wasn't even able to complete it. She used the small speculum which caused excruciating pain, but couldn't see anything, so she asked for permission to use the larger one, which of course, also caused excruciating pain. She wasn't able to complete it with that one either because I was almost in tears and she couldn't go in any further. She ended up doing a bimanual to see if she could find the problem. I am a virgin, and she said I have a very tight hymenal ring, and that is why it hurts so much. This might be a crazy question, but is there anyway to break this myself (because if it is going to hurt that much, there is NO way I am ever going to be having an intimate relation with anyone). Or is that just going to hurt more? Is there a way to stretch it or anything? I can't even insert a tampon because of it without feeling the same excruciating pain, and since I am 26 and am having some "symptoms", I really need to have this test done. Is this really abnormal or kind of common? Any suggestions or advice?

[tesoro]

You should really ask your doctor about that. Also ask her if she thinks the pain would subside after you have sex for the first time. Sometimes when a woman is very tense or anxious about having the pap, that can also cause it to feel painful. I am sure that this problem can be solved but get medical advice to solve it safely.

[stressed]

Your doctor should have given you an advice on that. You should return and ask her all the questions you have, she knows. Like tesoro said, you could have been more tense during the test than you'd normally be.

An old classmate of mine (virgin at the time - I overheard the discussion - ) wanted to use tampons but her gyn told her it wouldn't be easy for her because she was a virgin (she was angry about the situation). So I'd assume it's not that uncommon. I never use tampons and my first PAP as a virgin also hurt.

Sex does not hurt like doctors' tools do (and it doesn't take place in a medical room ), but in any case, you should go back to your doctor and ask for advice, as every case is different.

[littlelily613]

Thanks for the replies! Well she did give me some advice: she said it was the hymen and I should try stretching myself, but she was also going to refer me to a gynecologist to see if I might need it surgically broken in order to do the pap. Anyway, now that a couple days have passed, I think she broke it (or at least partially) with that giant speculum she used which is probably why it was SO painful. Still tight, but I can finally use tampons for the first time in my life!