Are smear tests genuinely meant to be just uncomfortable or are they painful?

ive had 2. the first was fine. the second really painful and there was still bleeding the next day. so i guess it depends on the person doing it.

Experienced empathetic nurse, smaller ( not cold) speculum make a massive difference

Varies. I think it depends on how good the nurse is at this part of their job tbh.

In my 20s and 30s they didn't faze me in the slightest.

Had babies (enjoyed giving birth, just gas and air).

Hit 40s and now they're painful. Like really painful. Im another with a tilted uterus. I'm now overdue a smear by about 5 years but they won't even prescribe me a diazepam so I can attempt one.

I had ivf in the late 90s - we paid privately for two cycles. It wasn’t much more for the general.

I've never found them painful. Also don't find coil insertion painful, and I've never had painful periods. I've never found childbirth painful but then I opted for epidurals so didn't feel a thing.

My first one was quite painful but it was 3 months after giving birth and I obviously hadn't fully healed.

The following ones were all OK...I hate the sensation of the scraping and was a bit sore for a day after the last one (where scraped), but getting it done was only mildly uncomfortable.

I tend to find them tickly or uncomfortable. I haven't found them painful.

Anatomy and the practitioner matter.

I have been through some pretty major operations and procedures and have a high pain threshold and am generally pretty stoic, but I have always found them really really painful. I am very small so the smallest speculum possible helps, and I think that's on my notes now. As pp has said, I suspect it does also depend on the practitioner!

The same for me. Shocking isn’t it how medical professionals can say such things.

Yes, painful for me too. Mainly the scraping, wow that hurts.

My last smear test I laid on my side with my knees open. She was in and out quick as a flash no pain or discomfort whatsoever! All my others have been fist clenchingly painful. So it is possible with a skilled nurse.

Lucky you

My current GP surgery has a specific smear test health care practitioner. It’s literally all she does all day and I’ve never had any pain or discomfort from her doing it.
Previously it’s been a range from slight discomfort to nearly punching the nurse due to the pain! it definitely depends on the person doing it

Awful!! I must have been very unlucky or I'm a total wimp (although I don't think that's true!). Apparently I only get one more but I won't be bothering with that. Felt like they were trying to biopsy the back of my eyebrows last time.

i think I’d rather have a smear than a mammogram - find them really painful. Smear can be ok but it depends who does it.

Never had a painful one and I do have a retroverted uterus. Would much rather have a smear than a blood test for example.

First one pre kids was not pleasant but fine. Second, after my first, was uncomfortable. Third, after my second was out right painful. I was close to tears and told her to hurry up.

When I had ny waters broken with my first, that was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Nearly blacked out. I've never met anyone except my mum who experienced any
pain at all. I wouldn't mind but at 5months pregnant I broke my wrist and had it put back in place with no pain relief, I've had two c sections. Worst pain ever- getting my waters broken.

Ive had around 7 or 8 of them and have had cells burnt off. I find them extremely painful I return as I know the importance. I have had ivf and a baby but this pain is different,they struggle to find the cervix i am on my fists,ive had different people have to come.in and try. We are all different.

IVF was nothing like a.smear,a lot easier and end of the day they provide pain relief, also had the womb dye test (it has slipped my mind the term) and that was easier than a smear. Good luck with your ivf dont let smears put you off

Ive never had any sort of physical pain or discomfort from a smear in the 20 years ive been having them.

I find it depends on who does them

I asked one woman to stop as it was painful. She tried to tell me that was normal. I told her I knew what normal felt like and this was not it so she needed to stop. (She did very ungraciously) A guy came in after she left the room and completed it with no pain.

I find them uncomfortable but only a few painful

My first was scarily painful. After that I’ve told them that I find them painful and they’ve all been really easy and pain free. God knows what the first nurse did… it felt like she was ripping me open.

Now they’re easy

I have a tilted uterus so they have to have a good old dig about to find my cervix sometimes! Once it was a bit sore and made me bleed, but generally it doesn’t hurt me.

I’ve had more than one nurse make comments about how I can have sex then a speculum shouldn’t be an issue. And one who tried to claim I’d had a vaginal birth so shouldn’t complain (which isn’t true, I had a c section)

I have seen that posted on here too.
Sex, being aroused etc... totally different to getting your bits out to a total stranger in a totally different capacity.

I find them unbelievably excruciatingly painful. I cannot bear them. Even with the smallest speculum. When I need a colposcopy, I nearly pass out from the pain. It’s the same every time, painkillers do nothing.
And I bleed for at least a week afterwards.