Tips for less painful smear test?

[NomNomNominativeDeterminism]

Post menopause and smear tests have become really painful

... er so what do I do to make them less argh??? ☹️☹️☹️

Go to the sexual health clinic if you can rather than the practice nurse. They do this all day every day and are therefore much more experienced at the variety of problems women have with smears and how to overcome them.

Thanks @whatwedontknow

That has made me think about what the most unexpected answers might be to the the question ‘what do you want to do when you grow up?’

Tell the person doing the smear that your post menopausal and have found the procedure very painful and uncomfortable and what can be done

Hopefully extra lubrication, and a smaller speculum can be used?

vagifem

I understand they can use a smaller speculum so there are other options, I saw a leaflet about it in the GP surgery recently. Make sure you talk to the nurse about it, they will want to try and make the experience as comfortable for you as possible.

I was hoping that a silver lining of early menopause might be not having to have stupid smear tests any more, but oh no, the only benefit is not having stupid periods. Mind that is quite a benefit.

Ask them to use a small speculum.

And get a prescription for topical oestrogen. I had an early menopause due to gynae conditions and can't take HRT but Vagifem really helped

Also Balance Activ capsules available on Amazon or over the counter in pharmacies

‘Silver Lining’ should be a menopause related product.

I have the same problem. At my last smear I spoke to the nurse beforehand and she used the smallest speculum possible which was a lot more comfortable. Luckily, it was my last one, hurrah!

Prior to my hysterectomy I had some very painful smears until I explained to the nurse and she used extra lube and a much smaller speculum. She also tilted my hips on a pillow and went really really slowly, it all helped a lot.
I'd explain and see what they say.

Thank you all. Busy making notes. But FGS who names these things? Who on earth came up with ‘vagifem’ and thought you know what, that’s the one we’ll go with. So mellifluous and not at all grim.

I had one last year and it was unbelievably painful. I did not have vaginally births so guess I have limited elasticity. I won't need another for five years but the nurse suggested hormone cream next time (like what @Defiantly41suggests).

I've been going to the sexual health clinic

My last one was in June, I was late and was called by the GP surgery. It's my latest and was due to be my last, too. the nurse was lovely, tried lube and a pillow for my hips but after several tries had to give up and accept that she couldn't find my cervix.

I have no idea what this means.

Asked me to book another appointment to come back when one of her colleagues (specified but I don't remember) would be able to do it.

Haven't got round to making that appointment. Maybe I'll give the sexual health clinic a go again.

@NomNomNominativeDeterminism

Thank you all. Busy making notes. But FGS who names these things? Who on earth came up with ‘vagifem’ and thought you know what, that’s the one we’ll go with. So mellifluous and not at all grim.

I don't know - you have to laugh at them.

My favourite ever is pile cream 'anusol', ie backside + sun

My d dep MIL used to pronounce it 'ann-you--sol'.

I had a smear a couple of weeks ago. Previously they’ve been scrape-me-off-the-ceiling painful, but this time I said that to the nurse beforehand, she went to get a smaller speculum, and it was absolutely fine. Does make me wonder why they don’t use the small on all the time!

It’s the thought that it’s undoubtedly less painful than undetected cervical cancer that is the motivation

Yes if there is a smaller speculum why keep it a secret?

@Grossedout12

Tell the person doing the smear that your post menopausal and have found the procedure very painful and uncomfortable and what can be done

Hopefully extra lubrication, and a smaller speculum can be used?

I came on to say exactly that. My last but one smear was hideous so I told the nurse doing my last one and she was very gentle.

Good luck

@Melroses that’s hilarious - because I read it just like your MIL! I like your sunny spin, because I’m trying to delete the sound of ‘anus oil’ now. Another success for the brand namers.

You are all wonderful and I shall follow your advice.

I was once stood in front of the pile creams in Tesco trying to decide which one to buy before anyone I knew saw me

The name sold it to me

I’m not post-menopausal but my last smear test took 30 minutes because the nurse couldn’t find my cervix. It was pretty painful but not as bad as the first attempt when I almost hit the ceiling when the nurse put the massive speculum in and had to stop there. Why start massive when it hurts so many women??

The only way they can find my cervix is if I lay on my back, put my hands beneath my hips and spread my thighs. No dignity there at all, but better than cancer.

Ibuprofen shortly before?
Hope it's not too uncomfortable for you.

Yes the last one I had was a bit uncomfortable - felt more like a car jack . The speculums are much daintier and see-through plastic so it should be easier than the old big metal ones.