Afraid of getting a Pap Smear!!?

Hi, I know this sounds very stupid... but please don't judge me... I'm 31 yrs old, married for almost 7 yrs now, and never had a pap smear in my life. Why am I so afraid? Why do I get panicky? It's weird because to many women it's such a natural thing - meaning they eventually get used to it and live with it! Well I don't. Whenever someone urges me to get a pap smear my hands literally sweat and my heart races. One time I even try watching a pap smear educational video on youtube.com and (please dont laugh, I feel ridiculous!) I fainted! I lost my consciousness! Why am I this way? I have never been raped or violated. I never had any discharge problems either, no itches, etc. Please I would like some honest answers only from mature women... Thank you so much.

well the only reason I watch this video is that somehow I could face my fear! When I watched it -- it was funny though -- I felt every sensation as if the doctor was performing the exam on me! I think if I ever go get checked I will literally faint right there... I'm not kidding.

I think it is a very common phobia in women. You are in a terribly weak position..I would suggest you interview a few doctors first and then make a choice. You may feel better if you are not making an appointment, but rather talking about it with a doctor first.
I hope I helped.

i was too when i first had to go. and my gyno is a way older chinese lady with a very thick accent! regardless, think of it as a way to always make sure everything is alright. ive had a couple of friends that went for it and turns out they both contracted hpv, totally sucks, but a big reminder that its a good check up for women to have.

they just swab for a few cells. You barely feel is...mostly pressure. Get a good distraction. It might make it worse for you if the Gyn describes what she's doing, so let her know ahead of time. Tel her to let you know when you'll feel her touch you, feel pressure, but no descriptions.
While you're at it, get the test done to know whether or not you've been exposed to the HPV that causes cervical cancer. If you haven't, then you get to have PAPs less frequently!
Nobody likes it. My dental patients wish the OB/GYNs offered gas!

as awkward as this sounds, ask for a pregnant doctor or one thats a mother. i got my first pap smear by a mother of three and pregnant with another one. for some reason, that really made me feel better and more comfortable.

dont watch educational vidoes about pap smear and you wont faint, problem solved

Yep, it IS common to fear a pap smear but trust me it is REALLY NOTHING to worry about.... you do NOT see what is being done and if you've had a relatively active sex life, you will barely feel anything happening...... if you need to focus on something to psych yourself during the pap smear, pretend that it is YOUR HUSBAND who is "inside you" and not that small piece of metal... actually all the smear is is the doctor will use a metal GUIDE (looks almost like a shoe horn) and takes a long ended cotton swab and brushes it lightly against your inside...to get the smear.... NOTHING TO IT... HOWEVER, not getting one is putting your ENTIRE LIFE AT RISK.... as pap smears can detect certain cancers and abnormalities long before they become life threatening.

Let me put this bluntly, but not at all to hurt your feelings:

What scares you more, a pap smear or dying of cervical cancer?

I understand your apprehension, but your are in the high risk age group of developing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be a fast killer, but is easily treated when caught early. The more you can try to relax, the less uncomfortable it will be. Take your husband or a good friend with you to hold your hand, but please get this done asap. Assuming you have had sex, then you should not experience very much physical discomfort as I would expect you to have more mental discomfort. Discuss this with your doctor, find a female GYN, go with a friend when they are having one done to see what it is like, but please, please, please get this done for you, your family, your husband, your kids or future kids.
GYN RN