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Original poster

Please can someone talk some sense into me about smear tests?!

99 replies

caddywally · 26/01/2019 16:55

I'm 26 and have had a few reminders to book a smear test, but so far I've ignored them. I know I should book one and there's a little niggle in the back of my mind but so far I haven't done anything about it.

My main reason for not going is embarrassment, which I know is ridiculous. I'm also worried about what will happen if I tense up and the nurse can't get the speculum in (do they even use a speculum?!) Will they just reschedule the appointment for another day?

Please can someone talk some sense into me and put me at ease? I know I should book one but I keep talking myself out of it.

OP posts:

Iloveautumnleaves · 26/01/2019 18:54

Most people don’t have any problem with them, the chances are you won’t either.

I, however, have the least co-operative bits known to man kind and it’s always a right faff. It still doesn’t take that long. It can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful. I’m only telling you this so you don’t feel like there’s something wrong if it’s uncomfortable.

What I would suggest is that you book it mid cycle as they’ll get a better sample, less chance of needing it repeated.

fussychica · 26/01/2019 18:55

purpleunicorns

OnceUponAGiraffe · 26/01/2019 18:56

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-46999104/cervical-smear-the-30-second-test-that-could-save-your-life

Here’s the link to the video of someone having it done. Super quick.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health

over50andfab · 26/01/2019 18:58

My DD recently had her 1st smear - which turned out ok, but was nervous beforehand.

It’s already been said, but can’t really be said enough as it’s the main thing to keep in mind...they’ve seen it all before!

I have always found, regarding relaxing, is that if I place one hand on my (lower) stomach, this makes it easier to concentrate on relaxing that part, and everything underneath.

Drogosnextwife · 26/01/2019 19:01

I'm doing exactly the same just now OP, not because of embarrassment but because I absolutely hate the feeling, every time I think about it I can feel it. Pathetic I know but I just can't bring myself to go

nervousbreakdown · 26/01/2019 19:07

Drogos speak to your GP, there are things they can do if it’s a real problem - I ended up writing it in a letter why I can’t cope (because of sexual assault) and the GP was very helpful . There are specialist clinics in London and Glasgow as well for women who have experienced sexual trauma . I find going down that route (family planning or gynae) so much easier as they’re used to it being more difficult , less likely to make you feel an idiot (I’ve been shouted at for crying) and have more equipment and experience to hand.

explodingkitten · 26/01/2019 19:11

It's not so bad. It really helps to consciously try to relax your muscles when the speculum goes in, but if you tense up they'll just have to go slower. Positioning the thing takes longest for me but my cervix is in a weird position, even then it's just 2 minutes or so. The feeling isn't painful as such but uncomfortable. You can do uncomfortable. They then take a swab which takes literally seconds and then they take the speculum out again.

It's more uncomfortable if you're still a virgin according to my SIL.

BrusselPout · 26/01/2019 19:18

I have terminal cancer as I was too embarrassed to go for my smear. Please, please get it booked

@purpleunicorns I'm so sorry

gower4 · 26/01/2019 19:18

Had my regular one a couple of weeks ago - took seconds and wasn't remotely painful. I think they've really improved their facilities (I've had 5 across c15 years) and it feels far less invasive than the old days.

Also, the nurse really doesn't give a stuff about your bits. They see vaginas etc every day! Must just become like ears, throats etc

huggybear · 26/01/2019 19:19

For most women it's quick and uncomfortable but for me it was incredibly painful and took a long time. I'm not trying to scare you, I just think it's worth saying as I went into mine thinking it would be 30 secs and on with my day but it wasn't at all.

Lovestonap · 26/01/2019 19:23

For me the most embarrassing thing was realising on going into the nurses room that she was a mum I've seen around school. However I reassured myself by reflecting that meant she has probably seen the cervixes of most of the school mums (small village!).
Learn the 5 4 3 2 1 anxiety technique, not only will it help you relax, by the time you've finished it will be time to put your pants back on - it's generally that quick I promise!

Lovestonap · 26/01/2019 19:24

Sometimes having a couple of paracetamol before can be a good idea, that's what they recommended when I was having my coil fitted too

Heyha · 26/01/2019 19:31

I was going to say wear a skirt and go first thing so you're not worrying about it all day. My first one I did naughtily take one of the low-dose valium I had
been prescribed for flying but once I'd had it I didn't feel the need to use them for the next smear-it's fear of the unknown as much as anything else.

Plus having seen some of the other things a practice nurse could do in a shift I'm sure doing a few smears isn't the worst part of their working day, it helped me to think of it like that!

Heyha · 26/01/2019 19:32

And I'll also add my flu jab hurt far more than a smear so if you've had that or similar and been fine then no worries on the pain front at all!

GMtoBe · 26/01/2019 19:34

It's really not that bad. I had my last one 12 weeks after the birth of my dd. I was still having a lot of pain from my episiotomy scar and forceps damage and even then it still wasn't that bad. The nurse was very gentle and respectful and professional. I think we build these things up in our heads but honestly you'll wonder what the fuss was about afterwards.

CatnissEverdene · 26/01/2019 19:37

I went from a normal smear post baby to having cervical cancer within 3 years.

Going for that smear means I am alive today.

I can never get my head around anyone not having it done. A few seconds of mild discomfort and indignity is a small price to pay in exchange for potentially saving your life.

TheFormidableMrsC · 26/01/2019 19:44

OP, please just get on and do it. My late SIL felt like you, embarrassed and just didn't want to, she died at 34 leaving a little boy. Had she had her smears, she wouldn't have done. Simple as that.

I have never found it embarrassing, we've all got vaginas. I make sure I'm showered and fresh, my last one took less than a minute from start to finish. It doesn't hurt (at least it has never hurt me). It is more likely to be uncomfortable if you clench rather than relax. I do realise that for some people it is an uncomfortable experience but for me it never has been.

Last week I had to have a transvaginal scan. That took AGES and was with a dildo type probe. I am not one to get embarrassed to be fair, it's just bodies and this was to ensure I didn't have an issue with my ovaries/womb, but in terms of intrusiveness, I'd much rather have had a smear! Honestly, for the few moments it might cause you some vague discomfort and feeling a bit embarrassed, surely that's preferable to the worst case scenario.

Be brave! Good luck

purpleunicorns · 26/01/2019 19:57

@BrusselPout

cptartapp · 26/01/2019 20:03

I'm a practice nurse that does smears. There are many more nursing duties I'd rather not be doing than a smear. We think nothing of it at all and in several years I have never ever not got a speculum in. It's so important. Please go.

candlefloozy · 26/01/2019 20:18

I've had two. Wear a skirt I think that always saves less embarrassment. But they don't care their just doing their job. Once I had my first one I got booked in for my second as soon as I had the letter. I've also had a coil fitted. I just chat away during them about some crap. Good luck

NinjaPig · 26/01/2019 20:31

I can only echo what PP's have said - Please go! I had some abnormal smears, then some normal, so thought it was all good. Then out of blue, I had Pre-Cancer & had part of my Cervix lasered away.

I now have smears on a yearly basis & after 10 years, (2021) if they are still clear, then I can go back to 3 yearly.

I have 2 boys & for the sake of 10 seconds of laying on a table with my legs spread, I feel that I'm doing everything I can to keep them my top priority.

Silvercatowner · 26/01/2019 20:43

The few seconds of indignity that a smear involves are nothing compared to having cervical cancer.

voxnihili · 26/01/2019 20:43

OP - please get it done. I hate having smear tests done. I've always found them quite painful. A couple of weeks ago I tried to have my most recent one but they couldn't insert the speculum. I had my first baby 4 months beforehand and had an episiotomy afterwards. I've also been unable to have sex so likely to be nothing to do with the smear.

Anyway, the nurse was very kind and stopped as soon as it was evident that it was not going to happen. I didn't feel embarrassed. I need to re-book it for next month but I'm quite nervous about it and worried about what happens if they still can't do it (although to be fair I'm more worried about the fact I might never have sex again!).

Yorkie7 · 26/01/2019 20:47

I’ve never had one that I could even feel let alone which hurt! Honestly you’re covered up the whole time and it takes less than a minute and then you’re on your way feeling pleased you got it done. I would have one over a blood test any day!!

Gina2012 · 26/01/2019 20:51

@purpleunicorns - huge hugs

fgs just have the damn smear. It's no biggie. Cancer is.

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