To think smears hurt less the more you exercise?

Interestingly 98% of the poll disagree with the hypothesis...

This is interesting because I want to lose weight before my smear test - I think the whole process is easier if you’re slim/fit

I also have a tilted uterous and apparantly it's also 'up to the left' so smears have involved lots of painful rummaging around and one nurse leaving in a panic, which was alarming

However, a doctor with a good technique and it was a much better experience, so I honestly think it's more to do with that than experience

I’ve never had a painful smear either and I don’t do any exercise nowadays!

I've had plenty that were fine, and some very painful ones too. I think it depends on the skill of the person doing it. I've also had 1 coil fitting that was a breeze, and 1 where I had to cancel going into work afterwards.

Exactly this. I’m 10 years post menopause and my next smear is likely to be mylast for which I am very grateful.

Unfortunately it makes no difference to me 😞. The last two smears I’ve had were private and the consultant used the colposcopy chair which changed it from agonising to uncomfortable. She told me afterwards she’s surprised they’ve ever managed carry out a smear on the bed in the GP surgery so I’m wondering what they actually did other than make me cry. Unfortunately I no longer have private health care so I’m going to have to ask my GP to refer me to the hospital as there’s no way I’m having another one laying down

Can i add another little tip?

So obviously relaxing your vaginal muscles really helps, but it's tricky to do this in a medical setting - so try this, it takes seconds :

Once you're on the table and while they are buzzing about getting ready (OR if necessary ask for a moment to relax), then part your teeth slightly and let your jaw muscles drop. Relax your jaw right down till it's slack. Then, let your vag relax. For some reason while your jaw is relaxed it's really easy to go all floppy down there.

While the test is going on keep breathing and keep your jaw slack.

Yes me too! Although it's all relative, and it's very quick even if it does hurt.

@GaslitlikeaVictorianparlour I don't know if this is useful at all, but as someone who has had plenty of smear tests, most of which have been painful, the thing that has made them by far the most comfortable has simply been placing a pillow or even just my own hands under my bum to tilt my hips slightly. I discovered this in my mid 40s when I had one done by a practice nurse who put a flat pillow under my bum without even asking. I said 'That was literally the only painless smear I've ever had!' and she said 'It'll be the pillow that made the difference - I've always done it for all my patients as a matter of course and I don't know why it's not standard, so just ask for one next time or even just kind of put your hands palms down under your bum'. I was amazed at what a game-changer it was!

No I don't think it's a factor. I think it's more to do with how relaxed you are. I've had smears where I've almost been on the ceiling recoiling in agony and others that were fine.
I've also been told I have a tilted cervix and to make sure the nurse uses the longer apparatus on me.

They're fine if I ask to lie on my left side (endo, tilted uterus)

I take smears and in a totally non scientific look back at my practice it seems to be if the cervix pops between the blades of the speculum straight away it seems to be fairly okay but if it doesn't and the blades are resting on the cervix it seems to be sorer for my patients.
I always try to be gentle and kind and not hurting anyone, I hope very much that I am. Obviously there are loads of other variables in play but the above does seem to be a thing.

Me too. Which I tried to explain to the nurse at my last one. Before I could finish she interrupted to helpfully tell me that endometriosis is on the inside and she's only going on the outside so it won't hurt. I guess I must have imagined the pain, which as an endometriosis sufferer I'm used to doing obviously . I won't be having any more, I'll buy an HPV test instead.

Nope, makes no difference for me. Only thing that makes a difference to me is the angle of my hips and the size of the speculum.

I’ve always found then excruciating, and at times have been really fit and doing a huge amount of exercise including Pilates. So no, don’t really think so.

I think it has a huge amount to do with the skill of the nurse/doc, some people are just more cack handed than others unfortunately. Also agree with those who say ageing, I'm trying to ward this off with vaginal oestrogen which seems to help.

@Ponoka7 , please have your smears, I'm 49 and have just had to have a colposcopy and biopsy, now waiting for results, after a very dodgy smear after years of normal ones. I am the biggest coward and terrified, but it's still better to have the smear and the treatment that may follow than the alternative risks of developing something that can't be treated.

It all seems odd that they don't just do an HPV kit. Unless the positive rate is so high it's not worth it. I don't have HPV and am unlikely to have contracted it recently so I asked the receptionist if it was worth a smear. She said they do need to look at the cervix. But I do know the details of why. I guess if you have to see the cervix you may as well take a sample while you're up there.

And to your point. I've had painful and not painful ones, but they've never been distressing or traumatic.

Unless exercising moves my cervix so it's easier to access I don't believe it makes any difference. I won't be having another one unless they use the colposcopy chair.

I hate going to the gym and organized sport and my smears are uncomfortable and don’t require painkillers.

It's a theory that logically would make sense, but, despite not doing any exercise for most of my adult life, I've never had a smear test that hurt, so it doesn't seem to pan out in my experience.

I've got a tilted cervix and the nurse has always got me to prop the small of my back up on my fists and it's been fine. The only smear I ever had that hurt was done by a doctor, not a nurse, and I swore never again.

I think it mostly depends on who is doing it.

@Gothamcity that's horrendous, I'm so sorry that happened.

Me neither. Then again I found giving birth not that bad either!