I just wanted to say that the first time I tried to have a pap smear it did hurt, a lot. And I cried, so she stopped. But I just had my first sucessful one today, and it did not hurt at all. Its been about a year since the bad experience, and honestly I think it was the doctor. I went to a new lady, and all was well.

And my Gyn told me that you do not have to have a pap smear until you turn 21, unless you are sexually active before that age. Basically get a pap if you are having sex. (Im still a virgin, so it wasnt necissary quite yet, but Im also almost 21, so now I can wait another year woot. Which may have also been part of the pain the first time I had it done, because at the time of the first one, I had never even had a tampon up there or anything, so I was super tight.)

It was definitely the doctor. I've had three paps and none of them hurt.

In New York, the age is 18/or sexually active, so it all depends on where you live.

You weren't super-tight (another misconception). You simply didn't know how to relax the muscles. No woman is "super-tight" lol. We all have the ability to expand.

my doctor has never once even suggested to me that i should get one..

Eiri, I live in New York too and my gyno told me to wait until I am 21. Are you sure 18 is the age here?

I would suggest a new doctor....Either way you should have pap smears when you become sexually active. Also they are good to have to keep healthy and detect breast cancer and cervical cancer early on. Even young women can get cancer and other problems like that.

I had my first one when I was 16, my father found me a doctor and gave them permission to treat me...

Yes, you need them when you become sexually active for a few very good reasons. If you're not sexually active (any sexual contact AT ALL), wait until 18 or 21, whatever your doc recommends. I've heard both.

1- when you start having sex you are at risk for HPV- HPV can cause cervical cancer, pap tests screen for cervical cancer. You can get HPV and never know, not have any symptoms at all. That's why paps are important.

2- Seeing you gynocologist regularly, you will have the convenient chance to talk about birth control and get prescriptions

3- Once you start having sex, you are at risk for std's- if you aren't practicing safe sex/getting regularly checked, unnoticed std's can develop into pid and cause infertility

4- it's just good to check things out down there and make sure everything's in good working order.

It was when I was 20, which was 3 years ago. I was not allowed to get ortho-lo because I was over the age of 18. Women over the age of 18 are required to get a pap smear before being allowed to get birth control.

Perhaps that is a Planned Parenthood rule? I know that's where I went first. It's also the rule of my college's clinic.

yep that same rule applied to me and I was only 16. Thats why I had to see the doc for a pap because my father wanted me on birth control....

Planned parenthood is where I first went when I got on birth control. They didn't give me a pap and said that I shouldn't until I am 21. This was when I was 18 (two years ago), and they put me on ortho.

I guess maybe it varries from clinic to clinic, or maybe this rule is new or something? Who knows.

Maybe. I don't like it personally; just because it takes 3 years for cancerous cells to manifest doesn't mean you should neglect your health and the other benefits of a pap smear!

My dr told me I didn't need a pap smear until I was 21, or became sexually active. But 21 even if I wasn't sexually active.

I'm 22 now and never had one. I really need to go, but I'm uninsured at the moment...does anyone know what one costs at planned parenthood?

It depends on your financial status: it could be free!

I had my first pap smear today. I will not lie to because I don't think anybody should. It depends on the woman it can hurts but yes it can be uncomfortable for me today it was. I was scared and nervous but at the end I felt relieved to know what I shouldn't be really scared or nervous because they're just checking out how things are and seeing if anything is unusual.
Since you are 17 you should start to get them but sometimes doctor offices wait until your 18 but you should tell them you would like to get one done. It's better to get one done than wait until you find something out. If your sexually active with your partner you should make sure you get on birth control aswell as make sure the guy covers himself.
I don't think you want anything to risk like an unwanted teenage pregnancy that your not ready for,a sexually transmited diseases or something else. You should get one done! Than you have to go every year after that.

my first pap smear was almost a year ago. they dont hurt at all but it is VERY AKWARD. they show you how to do a self breast exam but what was nice was my Dr told me everything she was gonna do before she did it. the worst part of it is letting a stranger see your breasts and vagina. and yes you need one when your 18 or sexually active its not bad thing it helps to find any irregularities or abnormalities so they can be treated early

the whole wait till you are twenty one is a new rule i asked my dogter about it she said that they recently changed it so that you dont get one until you are 21 if you are not sexually active and if you are but only had one partner you are supposed to wait until you are twenty one or three years after you started havung sex with that person... if you have more then on partner you are supposed to get them... when that happens

It is not based on a "STATE RULE"

The age of PAP smear is directed by your PERSONAL doctor, not a law.

I don't HAVE a personal doctor. I had Planned Parenthood and they REQUIRED I get one. I had my school's clinic and they too REQUIRED I get one. Planned Parenthood told me it was NY's law: If the patient is sexually active OR over the age of 18, they MUST get a pap smear before being allowed to get birth control pills etc.

18 is acually not true. acording to the board of health a woman should get her first pap smear at age 21 or two years after their first sexual intercorse, which ever comes first, though it doesnt hurt to go sooner.

I have had many a pap smear done. I have never experienced pain with the process. The most I can say is that some doctors are far more gentle than others.