Tips for less painful smear test?

[NomNomNominativeDeterminism]

Post menopause and smear tests have become really painful

As others have said, ask for the smaller speculum.
And insert it yourself! It's much easier to drive than navigate...
I have done it this way for years, rarely have a comment or objection these days. I mean surely the person doing it would want it to be as comfortable as possible for the patient.

I am trying to connect my knowledge of birthing positions with cervical examination and I am sure that there must be a better way.. upright and squatting shortens the birth canal. I think there is probably a better way to do this for women but it is probably not as easy for health professionals...

And along the same lines as the names of intimate products, there is a product in Emily in Paris, Netflix series, called Vavajeune..

My GP did my post natal examination from behind with me lying on my side, it was so much easier, the one and only time I’ve had an examination that way, over 30 years ago mind. No one has ever agreed to do a smear this way, maybe it’s too difficult to get a sample.

Going for mine later 😳 🤞