has anybody had an exam during their period?

[frkls]

you guys, i'm in crazy pain and need a pelvic exam.  i think it's just fibroids, but OMG.  do i have to wait until my period is over before i can go to the doctor? i'm sweating from the pain. it only hurts durign my period. 

[clairedunphy]

Yes, and my doctor totally did not care. Don't wait if you are in pain!

[greenlight]

I've had exams during my period when it couldn't be avoided. I just let the Dr. know. It's not a problem. They are doctors they've seen it all.

[hopecounts]

Yep during our IF treatments.
Get see and hopefully they can help you feel better quickly.

[cherryvalance]

We're doing IF treatments, so I frequently have to go in during my period. It's NBD. I vote always go if you're in pain.

[katfco]

I've had one; the doctor said it was no big deal. I'd had a previous doctor, however, who freaked out like it was the grossest thing ever and made me reschedule.

[Captain Catnip]

Yep. With all the crap I've been dealing with it was hard not to be seen then.

[greenlight]

Aug 19, 2016 20:35:01 GMT -5 katfco said:

I've had one; the doctor said it was no big deal. I'd had a previous doctor, however, who freaked out like it was the grossest thing ever and made me reschedule.

Wtf?! I would report that. So unprofessional. That's ridiculous. Women have periods it's not a big deal.

[katfco]

Aug 19, 2016 20:37:19 GMT -5 greenlight said:

Aug 19, 2016 20:35:01 GMT -5 katfco said:

I've had one; the doctor said it was no big deal. I'd had a previous doctor, however, who freaked out like it was the grossest thing ever and made me reschedule.

Wtf?! I would report that. So unprofessional. That's ridiculous. Women have periods it's not a big deal.

Yeah; I was in my early 20s and hadn't had too many, so I thought I had committed some kind of horrible faux pas. It was over 10 years ago and I still remember the look on the guy's face. 

[kirby]

You need to be seen, don't wait. Being on your period will not interfere with the exam.

[LanaLang]

Aug 19, 2016 20:37:19 GMT -5 greenlight said:

Aug 19, 2016 20:35:01 GMT -5 katfco said:

I've had one; the doctor said it was no big deal. I'd had a previous doctor, however, who freaked out like it was the grossest thing ever and made me reschedule.

Wtf?! I would report that. So unprofessional. That's ridiculous. Women have periods it's not a big deal  and this person has gone through years and years of school to specialize in exactly that part of the body.  They should be more comfortable with it than anyone.  

[happywife]

Oh no, don't wait!

[greenlight]

Aug 19, 2016 20:39:09 GMT -5 katfco said:

Aug 19, 2016 20:37:19 GMT -5 greenlight said:

Wtf?! I would report that. So unprofessional. That's ridiculous. Women have periods it's not a big deal.

Yeah; I was in my early 20s and hadn't had too many, so I thought I had committed some kind of horrible faux pas. It was over 10 years ago and I still remember the look on the guy's face. 

That's such a shame he made you feel that way! What an ass.

[cheeseandcrackers]

i had a pap on my period but i wasn't bleeding super heavily or anything

[greenlight]

Aug 19, 2016 20:39:16 GMT -5 @gracie6414 said:

A pelvic, yes
They can't do a pap if you have your period.

When my ovarian cyst ruptured I don't recall any internal pelvic exam, it was at a clinic and I think they just felt around my lower abdomen.

I've had many paps during my period.

[clairedunphy]

Aug 19, 2016 20:35:01 GMT -5 katfco said:

I've had one; the doctor said it was no big deal. I'd had a previous doctor, however, who freaked out like it was the grossest thing ever and made me reschedule.

This is crazy. What a terrible doctor.

[lilafowler]

Just do it

[pinotgrig]

I've had annuals during my period and when I asked if that was ok, she said, "You know I deliver babies and do surgery and stuff, right?" A nurse did tell me once that menstrual blood can sometimes maybe interfere with pap results, but I've never had an issue.

I had 2 exams while dealing with an ovarian cyst and there was lots and lots blood then. I even had a transvag ultrasound done. Sorry you are in pain - def don't wait if you're in pain.

[panicfoot]

My period came early once and my OB said something to the effect of during medical school, she basically only did exams when someone was bleeding. It made sense because, yeah, sometimes people will need to be examined because they're bleeding, not in spite of.

ETA: I'm sorry you're in pain I hope it resolved soon!

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2016 23:17:01 GMT -5 @gracie6414 said:

Aug 19, 2016 20:42:07 GMT -5 greenlight said:

I've had many paps during my period.

Really? Huh, my doc said it often compromises the ability to get a good swab/to get conclusive results on the smear (as the pap isn't testing anything blood related).

Maybe it's different here. I've always been told mid cycle.

[Deleted]

But also, I would not care at all about getting checked while on my period.

I'm sorry you're suffering

[lilmissladybug]

Many times. I had my period more often than not for several years while dealing with cysts and endo.

I hope you get in and find out what's going on.

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2016 23:17:01 GMT -5 @gracie6414 said:

Aug 19, 2016 20:42:07 GMT -5 greenlight said:

I've had many paps during my period.

Really? Huh, my doc said it often compromises the ability to get a good swab/to get conclusive results on the smear (as the pap isn't testing anything blood related).

The office I worked at followed this advice too. We did occasionally when it couldn't be rescheduled or something but usually had them reschedule if possible and explained it could possibly interfere with results but not necessarily

[fluffydamn]

I'm sorry the pain part sounds awful just jumping in that if they don't find fibroids, to ask them about endometriosis. That shit is painful to where I don't wanna move. It's worse around my period when the endo is trying to shed itself only to reattach in different places.

As for the bleeding part, I've been there. I had a trans vag ultrasound done because I was bleeding for two weeks off and on.

Hope you feel better soon!

[oliviapope]

My next gyn appt will be mid cycle. Fucking mirena. My doc must have seen my face because she was like, "i know what i just said!"

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2016 23:47:34 GMT -5 @ygmg said:

Aug 19, 2016 23:17:01 GMT -5 @gracie6414 said:

Really? Huh, my doc said it often compromises the ability to get a good swab/to get conclusive results on the smear (as the pap isn't testing anything blood related).

Maybe it's different here. I've always been told mid cycle.

It's definitely provider preference but I have never heard the preference to get a Pap smear done during your period. Interesting.

The reason I prefer not to do it during a woman's period is becaus it can be harder to find the cervix with a lot of blood and some women have heavy bleeding plus the small chance that you won't get s good sample. So I just prefer it to be easier when you're not on your heaviest day if possible. But I know some doctors don't mind or don't care about those things.

[Deleted]

I hope you get some answers and feel better.

[Elsa]

Aug 19, 2016 20:48:01 GMT -5 lilafowler said:

Just do it

Women's health care, sponsored by Nike

[konapoppy]

I hope they help!

Every gynecologist's office I have been in has a big basket with various tampons and pads. They are there for a reason!

[readyin07]

Aug 19, 2016 20:39:16 GMT -5 @gracie6414 said:

A pelvic, yes
They can't do a pap if you have your period.

When my ovarian cyst ruptured I don't recall any internal pelvic exam, it was at a clinic and I think they just felt around my lower abdomen.

I was told this too. My period is unpredictable and came close to my appointment one time. It is hard to get an appt with my doc and it was at the end so I went in anyway. my dr examined me and said there was too much blood to do the pap.