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Original poster

I have a smear test this afternoon

31 replies

HugsAreMyDrugs · 05/07/2019 09:58

And I am dreading it. I have only had one before and long story short, it was horrible and painful.

I have been putting this one off for ages so am now slightly overdue. Will the nurse tell me off for being overdue?

I'm not even sure why I am posting this tbh. I am just looking for some reassurance I guess.

OP posts:
GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 05/07/2019 10:02

They will just be pleased you turned up! Please don't worry

marvellousnightforamooncup · 05/07/2019 10:03

They're never pleasant but they're important. Best to just get it over with.

I have to have them every 6 months. It's a chore but it's rarely painful for me. Maybe you had a bad experience last time and it might not be as bad as you think.

mustdrivesoon · 05/07/2019 10:04

Hey

The nurse won't tell you off. Far from it. She will likely ask when the last one was so just be honest, she isn't asking to be horrible. At my last smear I was overdue and she said she didn't care, she was just glad that I came in!

Smears aren't fun but they are quick. I would rather have a smear than a leg wax or a filling at the dentist.

Take a couple of painkillers an hour before and when it's over be kind to yourself - get a takeaway for dinner, glass of wine etc.

Smears can be sore but don't anticipate it as you will tense up. Tell the nurse your worried and she will make sure you are comfortable.

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General health
florriepeck · 05/07/2019 10:10

Agree with PP, that they'll just be pleased that you turned up, as some women don't go at all.
If it's a while since you last had a smear, it might not be as bad as you remember: I used to dread going, but the last couple of times have been okay; the nurse seemed to be using a softer ( disposable?) instrument rather than the metal speculum of old.
Maybe a practice nurse can tell us if that's the case?

Original poster
HugsAreMyDrugs · 05/07/2019 11:36

Oh I will defintley be treating myself after.

Even if it hurts again it will be over quickly I guess.

OP posts:
Lisette1940 · 05/07/2019 11:41

It will be over quickly. Well done on making the appointment. X

yorkshireborn1988 · 05/07/2019 11:44

My second really put me off. She took around 20 minutes as well and I was terrified to book my next one. I couldn't believe how quick it was and painless. Took me longer to get undressed and dressed! Good luck

Nesssie · 05/07/2019 11:46

Well done for booking it!
I know everyone is different, but for me it is way less painful and awkward than having a bikini wax. And there's no cold metal speculum anymore - its plastic.

My nurse was so nice and chatty, explained everything and it was over in 5 minutes.

xJune88 · 05/07/2019 11:48

Are they really that bad... I'm 25 next month so am expecting a letter to book but I always worry with the stories I hear..

Nesssie · 05/07/2019 11:56

xJune88 - everyone finds them different, some people (like me) it doesn't hurt at all, other people may tense up a bit and then they feel it more. please please don't worry about it - it won't be as bad as you are building up in your head!

When you go in they will have a chat with you, then she will ask you to get yourself ready and lay on the bed, with some paper to cover your modesty.
When she returns, she will ask you to bend your knees up and spread your legs apart, she will arrangement the paper sheet to cover you but honestly she won't even notice what you look like! She'll probably chat to you about the weather/your job/you day etc

They use a plastic speculum to open up your cervix, then use a 'toothbrush type' instrument to scrape some cells out. This can feel a bit odd but certainly wasn't painful for me.

Then its all done!

xJune88 · 05/07/2019 11:57

Thankyou I'm definitely having one uncomfortable/pain or not it's not worth not having one for a few minutes of discomfort! Just wondered what happened, thanks xx

Nesssie · 05/07/2019 12:00

The actual removal of the cells part takes less than 5 minutes!
Took longer for me to get undressed.

Some people wear skirts so that they only have to remove their underwear and pull the skirt up, but I just took off my trousers and underwear - I have a regular bikini wax so am not bother about being naked in front of anyone.

Its all done very discreetly.

squee123 · 05/07/2019 12:01

I'm never keen on the idea, but I have stern words with myself that the embarrasment factor and possible brief discomfort is nothing compared to the pain and repeated flashimg my bits I would have to go through if cervical cancer weren't caught early.

I find it helps me to think that a smear test is the karmic bargain for not being diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. I appreciate that isn't very accurate but it really helps me cope with it.

Livingthedream12345 · 05/07/2019 12:02

I've got endometriosis so it's a bit painful. Last time I took a couple of ibuprofen half and hour before my appointment which helped.

PlinkPlink · 05/07/2019 12:32

Bikini wax? Blimey 😳

I wish I could afford a regular wax but I can't. At my last smear I turned up, slightly spiky fanjo and all... the nurse really didn't care 😂😂 she just wanted to get my cells and try to badger me into taking hormonal contraception.

My smears have never hurt. They have never been uncomfortable. I want to make it clear for anyone reading who has never been before - it is different for every single woman and with every practitioner.

OP, take some paracetamol and ibuprofen before your smear. That might help lessen the uncomfortableness/pain. And breathing techniques... try and breathe through it. Definitely worth a treat after. Hope it goes well.

It really is so important and worth doing for such a small amount of time.

Pipandmum · 05/07/2019 12:37

Mine were always fine if a little uncomfortable. Last one hurt a lot - the nurse said possibly because I was old (57) and there wasn’t much stretch and recommended oestrogen cream next time.
But it really only takes a couple minutes and the nurse has seen everything!

Original poster
HugsAreMyDrugs · 05/07/2019 13:03

I had never thought about taking some painkillers beforehand. That's actually a good idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
HugsAreMyDrugs · 05/07/2019 14:48

Right, time to get this over and done with!

OP posts:
Nesssie · 05/07/2019 14:54

Good luck, deep breath and it'll be fine Flowers

dimsum123 · 05/07/2019 14:55

Just to say the speculum is used to open up the vagina so she can reach your cervix.

You'll be fine, it's over in a flash.

Original poster
HugsAreMyDrugs · 05/07/2019 15:51

The nurse couldn't get the speculum in. How embarrassing and awkward Blush.

She made me another appointment in about three weeks with a different nurse to try again but I am scared the same thing will happen again Sad.

OP posts:
lemonbalmtea · 05/07/2019 16:05

OP sorry you had that experience. The nurse probably feels worse than you do. Please don't worry. I had mine on Monday, I hate them too. A few things that might help, be honest and tell them you are nervous etc. I find going between days 6-15 of my cycle is better. Pain sensitivity increases after ovulation. I am due in a few days so it wasn't the best time! I usually take headphones, I forgot this time so hummed to myself! I asked the nurse to explain what she was about to do, before doing it. She asked me to place my hands underneath my behind as it was not going in, to raise and tilt my cervix. A small pillow would probably work too. She also changed the speculum and got a smaller one, that was much better. It has to be well lubricated. Once its in and open the actual scrape is just uncomfortable and over in a few seconds. I completely emphathise.

Original poster
HugsAreMyDrugs · 05/07/2019 16:08

Yes the nurse was so nice which just made me feel like an even bigger numpty Sad.

OP posts:
Lisette1940 · 05/07/2019 16:48

HugsAreMyDrugs No-one thinks you are a numpty - honestly. I'm sure it will go better next time. Sometimes it doesn't work out the first time but do go back.

The last time I went, I forgot that the nurse was using a table that could be raised up so when I hopped off I almost fell over. The floor was much farther away than I expected. I'll have to be more careful of my dismount in future Grin

Original poster
HugsAreMyDrugs · 05/07/2019 20:05

I still treated myself btw even though she wasn't able to do it. DP took me to nandos and now we are on in Wetherspoons having some wine Grin.

I am just worried that the same thing will keep happening and I will never be able to have one again. What will happen then?

OP posts:
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