Reassurance about upcoming smear test !

[notagoodname]

(sorry if in wrong thread)

I have my first smear test coming up soon, a few years before the 25 mark but been to docs and he recommended I have one asap. I haven’t been that worried about it but just read that thread re tights & smear test and saw comments about how horrible it is anyway, and someone else had bleeding for 3 days afterwards 😫

Now Im getting anxiety about it even though I know I shouldn’t be

All I’m after here is for someone to tell me it isn’t really that bad!

They’re fine. It literally takes seconds. I have a bit of a fear of internal examinations after one particular horrific one in my early 20’s but smears don’t bother me at all.

I've got my second one in under a week.
It's really nothing to be worried about, I bleed a tiny bit on the same day but enough to just need a panty liner.
It didn't hurt and the nurse made sure that I felt comfortable during it.

It's not that bad! The more relaxed you are during it the easier it will be too.

It took longer for me to get undressed than it did for the actual smear... doesn't hurt just feels a bit odd and I didn't bleed after (but got advised that I might do)

What are the specific things that are worrying you?

Would you find it helpful to have more detailed knowledge about certain aspects so you can prepare yourself / don't have any surprises?

I had a really bad experience with a coil being put in that terrified me about going for a smear! But I was surprised to find that it was completely fine when I went and had it done in the end. I was all set to ask for numbing gel and smaller speculum and diazepam if it came down to it! But I actually needed none of those things it was completely fine, nothing like the coil.

Mine have always been fine. I know it can be hard but it is so much easier if you relax. They often ask me to lay with my hands behind my lower back to lift me up a bit and even though I'm fine with having them I know I tense up. I have to tell myself to relax.

Some people do have bad experiences but I believe they are in the minority. Please tell the nurse if you are nervous and they should help. They'll tell you exactly what to do but if you are unsure then ask. For pretty much everything I repeat instruction back to people so I know i understood 😂

And yes the big difference to coil is that it takes literally seconds so it's over before you even notice any sensation! It just feels like an internal scratch... a bit weird but totally bearable, not painful. Dont panic yourself about it, they are used to people being nervous.... and like I said if it is an issue for you they do have numbing gel and smaller sizes of speculum etc.... but I didnt need those things despite being terrified when I went in!

Honestly there is nothing to worry about. It's over in a matter of seconds, I wouldn't say it's painful just uncomfortable. I literally bled a tiny bit after but nothing major.