I've got my first ever smear test tomorrow..

[Hobby2014]

Tell me it'll be ok?

I was induced with my DS 9 months ago so had sweeps and internals done which were excruciating. The last internal I had was so painful I cried throughout it whilst squirming and wriggling trying to get away and get them to stop but they didn't. I then refused anything further and had a section so I haven't even got a stretched fanjo on my side.

I am dreading it. ?

I don't even care about having to strip off, I just don't want it to hurt.

Is it better than being induced / internals ?

even if you say it won't hurt, is that a lie just so I'll still go?

[Snowberry86]

I won't lie, I find them a little painful. No children here so nothing to have stretched the area!

I find the bit where they put the speculum in stings and makes me wince a bit. The scraping the cervix I don't like the feel of bit it doesn't hurt at all.

It's all over in 30 seconds and isn't too bad I promise. It's no worse than a trip to the dentist and having your teeth descaled!

[domesticslattern]

I've got one next week.
Going to have a glass of wine in the pub next door before I go in.
It works for me.

[winnybella]

You should be able to ask for a small speculum. Then it's a few seconds of scraping the cervix with what looks like a mascara brush, speculum out and it's over. I always found internals and transvaginal scans quite uncomfortable/ downright painful, but you don't get that kneading your insides feeling with a smear. It might sting for a sec or two but it's more of a very localised discomfort iyswim? Or you may feel nothing. Maybe take a painkiller an hour before?

[Hobby2014]

Thanks snow.
I don't go to the dentist often.
It's probably been about 4 years.

I'm currently ignoring my nerves and instead being really annoyed at the differences between what males and females have got to go through. Just not on.

[Hobby2014]

X posts.
Thanks both.
I don't have any booze here and my appointments at 8.10 in the morning. But will try the painkillers. I've heard about smaller ones, need to make sure I mention that. Thank you.

[Biscuitsneeded]

It's fine, honestly. Slight stretching sensation as they open the speculum. Last time I wasn't even aware when she was taking the sample - all over in a few seconds!

[Snowberry86]

I find if I wiggle my toes and concentrate on that I can bare the unpleasant scraping feeling better.

[Songlark]

Just take some nice deep breaths and try and relax. It doesn't hurt, just a bit uncomfortable and before you know it, it's over. It's a very quick process.

[Hobby2014]

I had it. It was fine. But I have cervical erosion? Apparently it's fine and just I might bleed between periods or after sex?

[Number666livesaMrMIller]

I'm glad it was fine for you. I was just coming on to wish you luck. Well done for going through with it

[PontyGirl]

I've had two and (depressingly, in ways) they didn't hurt

the thought of it can be worse than the reality. just focus on the fact that in two minutes it's over

[DayLillie]

Do they tell everyone they have cervical erosion? They are usually fine.

[Procrastinatingpeacock]

I have had 3, first 2 fine, not even uncomfortable really. Last one was a bit painful, not sure why, but perfectly bearable. I had a couple of internals during the birth of DS which I did find both painful and uncomfortable and I have to say a smear doesn't even register on the same scale!

Borrowing the dental analogy from upthread I would say that a smear is like that slightly uncomfortable feeling you get when the dentist presses hard on your teeth with the pointy thing during a check up, an internal is more like a tooth extraction.

[Procrastinatingpeacock]

Whoops, just seen you have done it already, glad it went ok.

[blahblahblah72]

I have had about 25 and of those only one was slightly painful.