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Original poster

I just had a smear test and it wasn’t that bad

27 replies

NoraLuka · 10/10/2019 12:35

Just putting this out there to encourage anyone else who is in same situation. I’m 37 and had never had a smear test. Until today, when I saw a new doctor who basically said let’s get it over and done with, so I did and it really wasn’t that bad. It was slightly uncomfortable but didn’t hurt and took all of 30 seconds.

That’s all for now Smile

OP posts:
Crystal87 · 10/10/2019 12:43

Well done. I've never had a problem with smear tests after stressing about my first, colposcopies have also not been as bad as I was expecting. I understand that it's different for some women though and can be hard, but I hope some women who worry and don't go to their appointments are encouraged to go.

keepingbees · 10/10/2019 12:56

I've had several smears and they've never been bad or painful. I have a tilted cervix and there's usually a lot of fiddling around to get the sample but it doesn't hurt, only uncomfortable at most.
I know some women have pain and bad experiences, I'm not taking away from that fact. But I think it's important to know that isn't always the case, and not to let fear alone stop you going.
Oh and someone on here advised to wear a dress as it's more dignified than stripping from the waist down, and I found that much better last time.

captainprincess · 10/10/2019 13:00

Well done for going. I have had to have 4 this year alone due to them not being able to read the sample. I have never had problems and this would have been my 3rd smear test.
Yep, it wasn't my favourite thing to do to have to return for the 4th time, but I had no other choice. I would never opt out of something that takes a minute at most and is completely dignified (in my experience)
Yep, it can, and is uncomfortable, but so what.

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ElizaDee · 10/10/2019 13:09

I was in and out in under 2mins at my last one.

HugsAreMyDrugs · 11/10/2019 01:54

I am glad it went well and I am actually a little jealous. I had two smear attempts back in July and keep trying to build up the courage to make another appointment to try again .

HugsAreMyDrugs · 11/10/2019 01:56

Seriously though I am so bloody envious of anyone who just breezes through which let's face it is pretty much everyone.

Oblomov19 · 11/10/2019 02:19

I hate having them done. I find them excruciating.

Every single one I've had has been terrible, despite more recently even talking to the nurses beforehand.

I now know have a tilted cervix which explains why I find them so bad. I'd prefer a c section, a tooth being pulled out or a steroid injection into my hand, rather than a smear, I hate them that much.

Oliversmumsarmy · 11/10/2019 02:28

Oblomov19

I thought I was the only one who found them painful.

Although the last one I attempted to have the nurse insisted I was sat up for.

Then she realised it wasn’t happening then told me I was too old and to make an appointment with my doctor.

It has taken me a few months to go back.

FrenchFancie · 11/10/2019 04:09

I never have an issue with smears, and I’ve got a tilted cervix / uterus. Occasionally there’s a certain amount of rummaging around but I can’t say I experience pain.

Having lost a dear friend to cervical cancer, I can honestly say that even if it was painful I would still attend

maidenover · 11/10/2019 04:36

I’ve never found them to be anything other than straightforward, which is something I’m quite grateful about.

PollyPelargonium52 · 11/10/2019 07:16

I had a smear in September and got the result already. It was fine. The nurse did say however as we get older we can feel pain more. I am 55 and must admit I did find it more uncomfortable than in the past and slightly painful.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 11/10/2019 07:19

Oh how very smug, well done.

frazzledasarock · 11/10/2019 07:31

I have a titled cervix too.

The first time I had a pap smear, nurse took ages to find my cervix but she kept me talking and was fairly gentle.

Second time had a totally different nurse who kept wailing where’s your cervix, I can’t find it and rummaged around and was non too gentle. However she told me my cervix points to my back.

So every single smear (or if any medical person is going to check my cervix) since, I first tell them my cervix points to my back. Makes life a lot easier for me and they know exactly where to look without rummaging around.

And well done for getting yours done. It’s not my favourite thing, but I always try and keep on top of it too.

TheBatsHaveLeftTheBellTower · 11/10/2019 07:46

Well I've only had 2 in my life. Haven't had one for over 20 years and no intention of having one ever again.

I don't consent to it and that's that.

Crystal87 · 11/10/2019 08:14

I don't see it as smug. Women can avoid a smear for whatever reason they want. But if this thread encourages just one woman to go for hers then it's a positive thing. They save lives.

Samcro · 11/10/2019 08:21

i think it is good for someone to say it went ok, I am old so have had loads. they are not fun, but have never found them painful or bad.

mine always take ages as I use the time to talk about things like the menopause.
surely the short discomfort is worth it.

HugsAreMyDrugs · 11/10/2019 09:05

It's not really worth anything if the nurse can't get the speculum in 😔.

Pavlova31 · 11/10/2019 10:12

Same here Hugs. Absolutely excruciating. Wish they did not have to crank the Speculum fully open too (only one size available at the Surgery).I go back every so often but it is always the same Sad

Oliversmumsarmy · 11/10/2019 10:19

Samcro
The short discomfort was absolute agony and I felt discomfort for about a week after.

Timeywimey10 · 11/10/2019 10:27

Mine weren't that bad until the second to last one. Now they are rather unpleasant (and the nurse was rather brisk and made me feel like a wimp - I may well be a wimp compared with what some people go through, but that isn't the point, it's unpleasant for me).

JorisBonson · 11/10/2019 10:28

Well done OP!

I'm severely tilted and find them quite uncomfortable but still go when summoned. A minute of ouching is worth it.

BarbaraStrozzi · 11/10/2019 10:29

I think it's good to publicise the fact that for most women, most of the time, smear tests are fine.

I also think it's important to acknowledge that for a minority of women, they aren't.

I have a retroverted uterus for eg, and I've always found it very hit and miss - depending on how my body is on the day and the skill/luck of the practice nurse) about 50% of the time they're fine, the other 50% they can be quite unpleasant.

So yay for good experiences, and good for encouraging other women to get checked, but do remember the not insignificant minority for whom it's not straightforward.

Deathraystare · 11/10/2019 17:34

I thought I was the only one who found them painful.

Me too. I have to be scraped down from the ceiling!!!!

Eastie77 · 11/10/2019 17:50

I find them extremely painful.

I'm sorry, I know it's not in the spirit of this thread to say this but I find it annoying when I hear the 'it may be uncomfortable but it's not painful' line' trotted about by doctors or women who are fortunate enough not to find it painful. I understand it may help reassure some women but I honestly find it minimises the experience of women who find the experience painful or intrusive and upsetting.

If the SM test wasn't painful for you then that's great but it won't be the same for every woman so I don't find the post helpful.

There is no doubt in my mind that if this was a procedure men had to endure the medical profession would have found an alternative to the speculum which is a century old instrument akin to an instrument of torture.

PanamaPattie · 11/10/2019 19:07

I hope that when you went to see your GP today, you were there for your smear test. I hope that you were not railroaded into it and that you had full and informed consent.