I turned twenty-one this April and despite it being in quarantine, I was so happy! While I was enjoying the fact that I could buy alcohol on my own, I was quickly reminded that I was due for my first pap smear. I knew the test would be invasive, but I never really understood what it was for and why it has to be done. After turning to Planned Parenthood’s website for help and asking the women around me what it is, I learned that it checks for any abnormalities for those with a cervix.
I scheduled my appointment for October because of COVID. To prepare, I showered and made sure I was in comfortable jeans to take off. Luckily I’ve seen my doctor before, and she had seen me (if you know what I mean), so I wasn’t too embarrassed. The staff was friendly as always and I waited about ten minutes maximum for my doctor.
If you haven’t been to an OGBYN before, it is really typical like the movies or TV shows. The most common phrase your doctor will say is “scoot down for me please.” I always think of Jane the Virgin where Jane, the main character, goes in for her pap smear and ends up artificially inseminated instead. Although I wasn’t going to have Rafael Solano as my baby daddy, the thought made it a little more bearable.
I’m really happy I went to get this done though. Even if it is uncomfortable, I felt really accomplished. This will help take care of me in the future. With COVID, I feel like health is something that was once taken for granted and I want to be more conscious of my body’s needs in all aspects of my health.
You deserve to give your body the best care and to take care of yourself.