Do pap smears cause flares?

[amartaingirl]

I have a pap on wed....and i am afraid

[GriffsMommy]

Ummmm, are you having your annual pelvic?? A pelvic can cause a flare for me because they tend to push around in there and end up pushing right on my bladder most of the time, ouchie!! Since I usually have my pap with a pelvic I'm not sure what a pap all on it's own would do. I would remind them about your IC and ask them to be gentle. Hope it doesn't cause a flare for you.

[LeeAnn]

I was lucky enough to have an OB/Gyn who specialized in IC (she has since moved away). But she said that the pelvic exam was more comfortable if they inserted that speculum in sideways instead of vertically. The handle part will then be touching the back of your leg instead of hanging down. If you tell your doctor he/she will know what I'm trying to describe. My doctor said it puts pressure on a different spot. Before I had this doctor, pelvic exams and pap smears always made me flare for at least a few days. Hopefully your doctor will know how to be gentle and maybe you can try having the speculum put in sideways. Goodluck.

[July]

I hope it goes fast and you are flare free!:smile tee

[littlemyrn]

Before my hysto, pelvic's would hurt and would cause my vv to flare, but not so much ic. Good luck.

[tigger_gal]

my gyn treats several IC patients, and is friends with my uro. he always told me to take something before my appointment, and have a driver, I still flare but its a bit easier while there.

[Briza]

I haven't had one cause a flare, but the exam can be uncomfortable on any ole day, or downright painful if I'm in a flare. My dr uses non latex gloves for me, even if you're not allergic, latex can still be an irritant. He also uses a warmed child's speculum (that's the thing that they use to expand your vagina, I think?) and that has made things much more comfortable. Also taking a pain med, pyridium, and anti-anxiety med about an hour before has helped me a lot. Hope it goes ok for you. :) Best wishes.

[Briza]

I was lucky enough to have an OB/Gyn who specialized in IC (she has since moved away). But she said that the pelvic exam was more comfortable if they inserted that speculum in sideways instead of vertically. The handle part will then be touching the back of your leg instead of hanging down. If you tell your doctor he/she will know what I'm trying to describe. My doctor said it puts pressure on a different spot. Before I had this doctor, pelvic exams and pap smears always made me flare for at least a few days. Hopefully your doctor will know how to be gentle and maybe you can try having the speculum put in sideways. Goodluck.

Thanks for sharing that, LeeAnn. Makes sense, especially for those who suffer from VV, I've found that I'm more sensitive in the 6, 7, 8 o'clock position, and having the speculum in sideways would avoid touching those sensitive areas. I've also had better exams when my gyn uses a child size speculum. Thanks again for sharing this info, I'm going to bring it up next annual exam :)