Hey Doc, Howsabout a Refill?

the one and only time I had a gyn exam from a man doctor - a gay one, but that doesn't matter one whit - they literally heard me from the waiting room. I have no idea what other people thought, but my boyfriend had very, very wide eyes when I emerged and was quite concerned. Luckily I have now found a couple of absolutely wonderful women gyns that are extremely sensitive. Which brings me to my point: ask for the child speculum. While it's incredibly depressing that it exists, when my gyns have used it on me it has been way, way, WAY better and much easier for me to handle than when they use the normal-sized adult speculum. Most women don't know to ask, and it really helps. Also ask them to warm it up before using it - some gyn offices keep heating pads around for that purpose. If they don't have one of those ask if you can take it and sit on it for the other part of the exam - I know that sounds ridiculous but they reseal them in sterile plastic after every use, so you can't contaminate them that way, and if they're cold I personally find that I basically wind up on the pillow end of the table thing all "HEY THERE NOW could you STOP IT PLEASE NOW OKAY LADY?"

So many people say pap smears don't hurt but I say BS.

Yup. I mean, maybe they don't hurt THEM, but less'n you've walked a mile in my...uh...vagina? don't you talk to me about what hurts and what doesn't. Still though, request the child speculum. Makes the whole appointment SO much easier. Especially for me because if I know they're gonna use the child speculum I don't spend the first part of the exam getting progressively tenser and more anxious about the speculum part.