First Smear Test.

I was amazed when I found out what a smear test involved (I am male) as I thought it was simply a quick wipe of the outer lips. When I realised it involved the inserting of a metal object into the vagina I wondered whether woman knew what would happen to them at their first exam. My wife said they discussed it briefly at school when she was 15 but could not imagine what it would be like, it was not until her first test at 18 that she actually found out the full details during the exam. It was embarrassing enough stripping for the first time infront of a doctor without the worry of not knowing what he was going to do to her!

Should girls be shown videos of smear tests and see speculums at school?

Did you girls know what would be done to you?

Should girls be shown videos of smear tests and see speculums at school?

Oh god. I think I would have been scarred for life, haha. That's not to be disrespectful at all, either. I remember my friend coming up to me one day and saying, "OH MY GOD! You have NO IDEA what we have to go through when we turn 18!" That was bad enough for me. Whenever the subject turned to doctors, gynecology, etc when I was younger I would change the subject so fast.

Did you girls know what would be done to you?

I did. I had books (like "What's Happening to my Body"...I think?) that explained pelvic exams. My mom never actually discussed it with me, I guess she figured that I had read about it in the books (which I definitely did -- in great detail, I was very curious). That didn't make me any less nervous or frightened about it though.

The only reason I knew what was going to happen was I spent SO much time on the internet looking up info on pelvics. I don't remember my mom telling me anything about it. If I hadn't read the info on the web I would have known nothing. Even knowing everything I was terrified!!!! I think my heart rate was about 150 when the doc took my pulse.

The only reason I knew what was going to happen is that my mother had bought a Woman's Day magazine, and inside it was a multi-page tear-out brochure that went into very exhaustive detail as to what was done during the exam.

I was just a very young teenager at the time, and it freaked me out to no end to know what was awaiting me when I got older.

I was wondering if a lot of ladies got their first smear test as a result of going to the doctor for the "pill". I have heard that ladies are questioned about their smear history and encouraged to have a smear before going on the pill if they have not had one.

Most young women who go on the pill end up having breast and vaginal exams sooner rather than later.

Most exams are unexpected. They undergo them reluctantly to stay on the pill.

I have said on other posts . I didn't know a thing about what us women had to go through nor that i would be invaded by a strange doctor.. it's not widely known in schools or explained enough here in England. I didn't learn about this at school or at home. Sometimes I wonder if my mom or sister actually go to exams as well. Because they didn't tell me about anything like this .

ONe of my friends went and told the rest of us. She was pale when she told us that her doctor put a finger in her ass. I think that's where my medfet started... I alternately was curious and dreaded my appointment later that year. Now I only look forward to them, even the real appointments.

When I was 15 they showed us an pap smear video in school ( I'm from Holland ).

We were all horrified and I looked away like most of the girls.

Now I'm looking for it.