This is what I was doing for awhile earlier today
I was in stirrups.
I went to get a PAP smear. If you are one of the probably 3 male readers I have, this post may not be of much interest to you.
For the ladies, although the specifics of the guidelines have changed in recent years regarding how often you’re supposed to get a PAP, in general, this is what I found here:
Regular Pap tests are an important part of all women’s health care. You should start having Pap tests at age 21 years. How often you should have a Pap test depends on your age and health history:
- Women younger than 30 years should have a Pap test every 2 years.
- Women aged 30 years and older should have a Pap test every 2 years. After three normal Pap test results in a row, a woman in this age group may have Pap tests every 3 years if
- she does not have a history of moderate or severe dysplasia
- she is not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- her immune system is not weakened (for example, if she has had an organ transplant)
- she was not exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
So basically every 2 to 3 years, you need to get a PAP.
Along those lines, we need to be doing monthly self breast exams. And when it’s age-appropriate or when your family history suggests, you should have a mammogram.
After my time in stirrups, I needed chocolate.
Vegan No-Bake Fudge with Chocolate Sprinkles
Or maybe Sex on the Beach. No pun intended.
Fom my last post on Someone I Miss, it was touching to read all the comments about something or someone you miss in your life. There were some tear-jerker comments. It’s ok, a little cry-fest is good for the soul sometimes!
It was wonderful to read about the relationships you have with your grandparents and the loving memories, too.
I was blown away at the touching comments everyone left on that post. Thank you.
Questions:
1. Do you do monthly self breast exams or (mammograms/ultrasounds if age/family history appropriate)?
Yes, definitely.
2. Do you go the gyno regularly for a PAP or a checkups?
I think that as “healthy living bloggers” we care so much about food choices and the food we put into our bodies. We are so careful about the food choices we make from organic food to locally grown food to trying to avoid overly processed foods.
We also make exercise and work out choices to benefit our overall health, too.
For me, it seems that taking care of ourselves as women is just one aspect of staying healthy. We are doing ourselves a great disservice if we don’t stay on top of our health through regular checkups.
I am not a big “go to the doctor” person. In fact, sometimes I go years in between physicals or checkups since I don’t get sick very frequently. However, I do feel strongly about well-woman care and visits and staying on top of them.
Not to mention, many women need to go to discuss birth control options and get prescriptions for them so even if you’re not there for a PAP, you may need to go for birth control. Or perhaps to discuss issues, problems, or concerns you’re having.
3. Are you scared of going to the Gyno (or midwife/nurse practitioner)? Have you gotten over this, or not?
I don’t think any woman alive says with great enthusiasm, “Oh I ‘get’ to go to the gyno today. Yay!”
No.
It’s one of those things like going to the dentist that for some womens causes anywhere from an ugh reaction (but you grin and bear it) to being totally petrified of going (and the fear actually prevents them from going).
When I was younger I used to stress out for days before my annual exam.
However, having a baby definitely made me lose some of the inhibitions of going since for 40 weeks of pregnancy and then the birth, it’s kind of “open season” up there with someone always wanting to check something.
But, after the pregnancy is done and the baby is born, the “open season” has turned back to “closed for business” as it pertains to speculums and rubber gloves. Not with quite as much anxiety as pre-baby, but again, not how I’d ideally choose to spend my time. However, I deem it necessary.
Final Notes: This is one of those posts that as I am publishing it, I am wondering why I am doing it. I could just as easily not have brought up this topic, but I think it’s important to remind all the ladies that it’s important to take care of yourself, keep up with your exams, don’t be scared, and embrace your beautiful feminine selves.
Caitlin has done a whole series of posts on birth control and Gina has also discussed it in the past, too.
If you don’t agree with my approach or thoughts, that’s fine, because of course everything I mentioned today is simply my opinion. I am not a doctor or a medical professional and this is not to be considered medical advice.
Time to talk ta-ta’s and va-jay-jay’s. Talk to me about your experiences! And yes, using those words will prevent some of the spam and gross google searches I know this post may bring.
i usually go for a physical and pap yearly…i’m going on two years this summer…i truly need to go…but this wedding planning is taking up too much of my time…and of course my job…
i hate paps…but i know they’re necessary…so i go…i have a female doctor and i feel comfortable with her…i’ve only ever had a pap with her…we’re going on 10 years…
Great post, Averie. And great timing. I went to the GYN just yesterday and during the breast exam portion, the doctor found a suspicious cyst in my left breast. I am not good about self breast exams so I had never felt it before. The cyst moves, which the doctor says is a good sign (cancerous tumors DON’T move) but she scheduled me for a mammogram and ultrasound next week just to rule out anything serious. I’m a little nervous about it all, but also eager to have it done and get the results. Thankfully, mammo results come back quickly, so the wait won’t be long. But I’m only 36 (in 3 days :)) so I wasn’t planning to have the mammo quite this soon. Anyway, this was definitely a wake up call for me to be more on top of regular self breast exams. Check those boobies, ladies!! :)
Ugh, I HATE that appointment. I just had mine last week. I go annually. I really do dread it to be honest. Just not the most fun time a girl can have ;-)
it’s not that thrilling to go get a PAP but still better than the dentist! one time I had an infection and it seemed I was being checked every week or so. torture! thanks for the reminder to get those preventative exams!
I go to see my doctor at least once per year to make sure everything is going well. I have a pap smear yearly, just because it is included in the exam, and if I started going every other year I would probably not keep track and skip a few years. Monthly breast exams – yes. Daily breast exams from Jason – yes. I’m kidding, but not really, ha!
Yes, I read so much about exercise and eating right, etc, but there is a lot more to health, thank you for sharing this post!
going to the gyno for the annual pap does make me really nervous. i definitely have to have chocolate afterwards. it’s just an uncomfortable thing to me but yeah, it’s something we have to do for health.
i don’t do self breast exams, but i should. thanks for the reminder.
Oh, the gyno. Yay. I have a history of abnormal paps, so I get to go every three months…aren’t I lucky? In fact, Friday is my lucky day.
I am SO bad about breast exams though. Like, so bad. I never do them.
1. Do you do monthly self breast exams or (mammograms/ultrasounds if age/family history appropriate)?
Not monthly but I do make sure to pay attention to what’s going on!
2. Do you go the gyno regularly for a PAP or a checkups?
I have actually only gone once for a PAP smear and pelvic exam. I went about 2 years ago and I’m 23, so it is probably a good idea that I go again soon. I’m planning on seeing my doctor later this month so I’m hoping that will be a good time to have it, just so I can get it out of the way.
3. Are you scared of going to the Gyno (or midwife/nurse practitioner)? Have you gotten over this, or not?
I have a social anxiety disorder so being around basically anyone makes me nervous. Going to the doctor for a PAP smear and pelvic exam is well, anxious! But it needs to be done. I don’t think I will ever get over it for as long as I have this anxiety disorder. But one thing at a time!
hi averie! i just recently found your blog & i loooove it! you do an amazing job w. it, your posts & pics are great. i especially love it b/c you have such yummy looking healthier dessert recipes, i’ve been drooling over your site. great job, your amazing! thank you! amy, amybusser.weebly.com
yes to all of the above, except #3..I’m not scared of the obgyn..now the dentist is another story!
There’s nothing better than a boring day at the GYN than some sinful, down and dirty chocolate! This fudge looks like the perfect cure for your day! :) Thanks for sharing. I’m so glad I found your blog and look forward to exploring your recipes! – Georgia
I was surprise-attacked with my first PAP – I went in for a normal physical (hadn’t been in a few years; I just don’t get sick and had been between doctors) and the NP was all, “You should have a PAP! How about right now?!” and, terrified as I was, I decided to just git ‘er done. And… honestly, it wasn’t even that big a deal, and afterwards I was kind of like, “…okay?” Which sort of weirded out my friends, who think it’s tH3 M0St h0RRibLE thiNg EV3RRR!
…anyway, thanks (as always) for keeping it real, Averie! And kudos to you for promoting good health. :)
I do go regularly and I do breast exams too. I had to go last year to the GYNO because I was having horrible pain in my breast…like a clogged milk duct (mine are fibrous, no biggy, they have always hurt). They actually suggested taking Primrose Oil pills. I was shocked and elated that they suggested an herbal supplement and one that I heard of through research too! I have been taking it since and it helps soooo much with everything female related. I liked this post. It is something to think about and I hope all is well with you lady! Enjoy your chocolate and sex on the beach…if Scott is in town! Have a great night sweetie!
I visit the gyno when I absolutely have to and as infrequently as humanly possible. Paps are the pits. Glad I don’t have to go often.
I think I was emotionally scarred after my first pap smear! Ugh, I’m due for one soon… :(
I absolutely loathe going to the gyno, but over time it’s gotten less nerve racking. I should probably be doing monthly breast exams since my mom had breast cancer, thank you for the reminder! Slash that fudge looks too good, I have been craving chocolate lately like it is my J-O-B