The first one is always scary. Just remember that the doctor does this all the time, so there is nothing to be self-conscious about. She's seen it all.

You'll put on the gown and sit up on the table. You'll put your feet up on the stirrups. The doctor will put in this thing called a speculum, which allows the cervix and uterus to be viewed an examined. Since you are not sexual active, ask for a small one, if possible. The doctor then takes two small samples of cells from the cervix with a little brush. None of this should be painful, but it may be a little strange, especially if it's your first one. The main thing you need to do is relax your pelvic muscles. It doesn't take very long. Maybe a minute or two, at the most.

The doctor will then do a pelvic exam to make sure that your ovaries and uterus are all fine. Then they check the area between the vagina and the anus to make sure that everything is okay there. That part is a little strange, but it's also over quickly. Then she will do a breast exam.

I hope I didn't make this sound too scary. It's really not. Just make sure that you are comfortable with your doctor. Feel free to ask any questions, either before or after.

Also, wear clothes and shoes that are easy to change in and out of, just for convenience.

Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine. We all go through it. And it's only once a year.

Ok, I had the test on Friday. Well I say I "had the test", the nurse tried to put the speculum in but it really hurt and she then told me it looked like I had a bad case of thrush (TMI sorry!). Basically that meant she couldn't do the test because it would most likely have an abnormal result. She also said that as it was obviously painful, she didnt want to carry on because thrush can make it hurt more.
When I got home I discovered I was actually bleeding slightly. My period is due sometime around now, although it can be irregular at times. However the bleeding was only very very light and had stopped by the next day. I've had no sign of it since, although I have had all the symptoms I normally get during the first few days of my period, such as feeling bloated faint, depressed and sick. I'm now really confused (and a little concerned). Was that my period, and it was just really light for once? Or is it possible that the test caused me mild spotting? It just seems really weird that it started right after the test, and has stopped now.

I also need to add that I'm vegetarian, have a possible eating disorder, and am anaemic, my friend has been trying to reassure me all day, and it's probably nothing, but I'm still a little freaked out.

I'm very glad you are getting checked out by a doctor. Did you get medication for the thrush (which is just a yeast infection, right?). I think the lightness of your period has to do with your other issues, especially the eating disorder and the anemia. Did you tell your doctor or the nurse about the eating disorder? If not, you need to. She needs all the information.

The very fact that you can acknowledge to yourself that you may have an eating disorder is a huge step. It takes a lot of courage. The next step is getting treatment, because you don't have to do this on your own.

Good luck with everything.