Do you cringe when you think of getting your annual exam and putting your feet in those stirrups? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, according to a Health Day report, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that foregoing the stirrups could decrease the physical discomfort many women experience during their Pap smears as much as fifty percent.

The study included 197 women, ages 18 and up, who visited the Eisenhower Amy Medical Center at Fort Gordon, located in Augusta, Ga., for their annual pelvic exam and Pap smear. Each woman was assigned to have her Pap test with or without the stirrups. After each woman’s examination, she was questioned about her physical comfort and her psychological feelings of exposure and control over her own body.

The quality and accuracy of the Pap smear results were not affected by the use or lack of use of stirrups, according to the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Dean Seehusen. The doctor hopes that doctors will begin to give their patients a choice about using stirrups during Pap smears. Some doctors may feel that using the stirrups provides better stability during the Pap test. However, that does not mean you shouldn’t ask if you can skip the stirrups during your exam if you feel uncomfortable using them.

More: What to Expect During Your Pelvic Exam
How to Prepare for Your Pap Smear