Pain, Very Sore, Dry, Burning, Itching AFTER a Pap / Annual - What Happened?!

Updated on October 17, 2009
E.R. asks from Millsap, TX
17 answers

Should I call the nurse?

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much!

More Answers

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L.S.

answers from Houston on

Hi,
I've never been in discomfort after a PAP. You may have an infection that just needs antibiotics. They would rather you call and have a check up than be in pain. You shouldn't still be in discomfort. Good Luck, what us women have to go through eh !!

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A.C.

answers from Houston on

Depending on your particular physical make-up and the size of the speculum, I could certainly see how you could be sore...but I think your other symptoms point to something else.

Call about the latex! I have a sensitivity that I discovered in a most uncomfortable way!

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R.B.

answers from College Station on

You should give the doctor's office a call. I get a Pap smear done every year, and I've never had that kind of reaction before. And please don't let this stop you from getting a Pap done in the future. You should get one every year, too!

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A.A.

answers from Austin on

Yes, if I were you I would call the nurse and inform them
of this b/c that is not normal.

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

I'm glad you found out what it was, yeast infections can be so uncomfortable. Luckily it's easy to take care of.

I don't mean to preach or tell anyone what to do, but us women have to look out for each other and keep each other healthy. So I'm just going to say that it is so important for you to get an annual Pap test! Please keep up with your annual exams!!! (I know it's no fun but your children will thank you for keeping yourself healthy!)

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S.J.

answers from Houston on

There is NOTHING to be embarassed about, really. I know sometimes it can be uncomfortabe to ask your doctor about issues like this, especially if your doctor is male, but really, your doctor has heard it all before.

With that being said, I am usually a little uncomfortable after my pap smears, but not to the extent you seem to be. My discomfort usually only lasts a few hours, not several days. Your discomfort could be any number of issues, from a mild yeast infection to a latex allergy to a reaction to the lubricant used in the exam to...anything. It's probably something that can be easily fixed.

I would call your doctor's office and at least talk to the nurse. The nurse can assess the symptoms and tell you if you need to be seen, or if the doctor needs to call in a prescription for you, or if this is something tht will just go away on its own. Hang in there!

Again, don't ever be embarrassed to ask these questions! Chances are that if you have the question, so does someone else. :)

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A.A.

answers from Waco on

I've never had the kind of reaction that you are describing so I would definitely call your doctor. I once knew someone that was allergic to a chemical in the lubricant they use and she had similar problems, so something like that could possibly be the cause, but you'll need a doctor's advice to try to figure out what is going on.

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

Call the nurse now! I have never had what you are describing. Could you be allergic to laytex? Did they scrap to much to cause pain or do you possibly have something going on that the doc needs to see. Call the doc or nurse and see what they tell you to do. I don't think you should still be having pain.

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

You may be allergic to the latex gloves they used.Also at 6 weeks, my guess is, if you had a vaginal birth, you probably had not had relations with your husband yet, since you are supposed to wait 6 weeks. Sometimes when they stitch you back up after a birth, they seem to stitch you a little tight, to try to put you back to your pre-birth size there. So that would have made that very first penetration with the Dr.'s hand a very uncomfortable one. You would feel somewhat sore and bothered down there. (The itching and swelling however I think is maybe from the gloves?) But yes I would mention it to your doc or nurse and see what they say.

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D.

answers from Houston on

I have to say that I'm glad you figured it out but I'm disgusted that they didn't tell you that at your appointment. Why let you suffer and wonder what's going on? If they wrote it down on your chart, how hard is it to warn you in advance and arm you with a script then. I get so tired of people not giving a care about others. Again, I'm happy your getting taken care of (eventually) but I'd give that doctor's office an ear full if it was me.

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L.M.

answers from Austin on

certainly call. Don't be embarassed they have heard and seen it all before. Also, Please start doing an annual eam. It's so important! I would ask about the gloves and lubricant, etc. It could also be a coincidence witht the timing and maybe you have an infection or something. Worth getting checked!

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C.M.

answers from Houston on

Please call your doctor, I have my paps every year, used o have them every 6 months after a cervical cancer scare. I have never had that type of reaction and no-one I know of has had that reaction either.

PLease get more regular with your paps they may be a bit uncomfortable, this one excluded but they can save your life.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

For sure call, before I got married my exams were really painful and I still never had anything like that afterword. Now that I am married and have had a child I hardly notice them so I think you are having a reaction to something and need to get it resolved so you don't go through this again. Good luck!

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

First, I must state the obvious. You need to go more often for your well woman visits. I had a dear friend whose mother passed away from cervical cancer when we were young. Do you want this to happen to your children? Get regular on your visits, for the sake of your health so you can be there for your kids. A pap smear COULD save your life if it finds something abnormal early enough.

OK, off of that -

Many women ARE allergic to latex, but, most offices do not use latex gloves anymore for this reason. I would call the office and see if they still use latex gloves.

It could also be a reaction to the lubricant they used. You might find out what kind of lubricant and see if you can get it. Then, maybe you could test it on a small part of you to see if you get a reaction, like your inside of your ankle or something.

Lastly, it could possibly not be related to the visit at all. Maybe it is just a coincidence that you developed an infection at the same time you had your visit.

I would definitely call and let them know what is going on. I'm sure they could help you better!

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N.S.

answers from Houston on

You should call the dr and get a prescription - sounds like you are allergic to latex (the exam gloves) and you need to remember that for future exams with any doctor / dentist.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

Call! The only time I had pain after an exam was when pregnant and the PA was horribly rough with me. I hurt for days after. My friend had the same experience with the same PA. From then on, I made sure to only allow the doctor to do the exam.

But never had pain after a pap and I've had plenty with all different styles of doctors.

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C.M.

answers from Austin on

It sounds like an infection or reaction. I would call your nurse to be safe.

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