AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

[LabRat]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

If it's any comfort, we women have to have a smear every three years, which is also uncomfortable, and if the nurse is rough it can be downright painful.

Interesting. Here it's advocated to have a checkup with pap smear every year. The doctor does the exam then takes the actual sample, while the nurse just has to stand there and watch. There didn't used to be a nurse present, but I assume one too many docs were accused of (or actually did) take advantage of the situation, and do a more thorough exam than was required, ahem.

My insurance has always paid for the exam, so it was no cost. There are clinics that do them for free or on a sliding scale (Planned Parenthood, Emma Goldman) though, so there really is no excuse for someone without benefits.