Welcome to Gaia! ::

Firstly, sorry for the rare posts. ^_^;

On to the main point of my thread..

I am 17, and slowly coming close to the time of my first pap. Sadly, I've recently moved, and have no doctor. My mom has talked with a walk-in clinic near my house, and they have a doctor that takes physicals for walk-ins. Unfortanetly - he's a male.

My mother is upset with me for several reasons. I refuse to get a pap done by a male, despite the fact I know he has seen many, many v****a's in his lifetime. Ireally could care less. Especially since it'll be my first!! I don't want a male.

Also.. she thinks I'm a nutbar for feeling my body is sacred and only intended to be viewed by myself and my future husband. I don't want some random prodding and poking my bits. Because my body means so much to me.. but knowing that, I know I should respect myself and get checked up. But I can't help but feel it's a violation against my body and my beliefs.

And lastly, I've had bad experiences with male doctors before. When I was younger, I'd go for my regular check-ups and my mother would end up going with my brother because he's 3 years younger and felt I was old enough to go through a check-up without her. My doctor would go through all the regular tests and whatnot - but when it come to checking my heart, he copped more of a feel than anything. As a child doctor's find it okay to place their stethescope beneath the shirt, and that's when he'd enjoy himself.

Anyway.. with all three of those combined, I'm rather worried, and I can't stop thinking about all of this. I literally think of it all day, and find difficulty in falling asleep. I've found myself close to crying at the thought of being "violated".

I'm just wondering.. should I just go and get it done (after trying to find a female nurse or whatever to do the task) or should I wait till I find I am more mentally prepared?

There's absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting a man to do a pap smear, especially if you've had bad experiences with male doctors in the past.

I'm 22, I've had a child, and so there's been PLENTY of people sticking their fingers (checking dilation and effacement, sickos!) or tools in my v****a... however, they've ALL been female.

It's not uncommon, nor weird, for women to not want male doctors to do anything, and your mom needs to respect that in you.

If you can't find another walk-in clinic with a woman, check out Family Planning or Planned Parenthood like Lorien said.

Also, with male doctors you can request a female nurse be in the room with you at the same time. There is nothing wrong with the way you're feeling. I would rather see a female gyn too.