Nurse Unable to Locate Cervix During Pap Smear
I had my first ever pap smear in 2025. The GYN performed the exam just fine, everything was easy. Test came back abnormal, so I had a biopsy done. It was fine. Whatever. No issues locating my cervix or completing the exams/procedures. I've moved to a new city and made an appt to get a pap done with a new provider. I just got out of the appointment. The NP tried four times to find my cervix. Three different sized speculums. She even used her fingers to find it but then could not see it with the speculum in.
She asked multiple times if my last provider had issues locating it, but they didn't. I got emotional after all the insertions and her asking me if I was okay multiple times. I told her I just wanted it over with and it was fine. Eventually, she said she didn't want to try any more times to find it and that I would need to reschedule. With her and the assistant apologizing, I was eager to just get out of there afterwards. I have scheduled the retry appointment with a doctor instead of NP for next week. I didn't think to ask some of the questions I have now.
Does this indicate that I could have developed a health issue? Is there anything I can do to avoid this happening again? For anyone who has/has had this issue, what is the best way to advocate for myself in the future?
During the exam, they asked me if I had trauma because I had started quietly crying on the table. Should I just go somewhere else?