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Original poster

Smear tomorrow and hair anxiety

68 replies

SmearTomorrow · 18/10/2021 21:52

I’ve got my smear test tomorrow. I’ve shaved my legs which was a huge task as I’ve not done that for years it feels like but I’ve only trimmed my pubic hair. It’s stressing me out as I used to shave it all off. The last time I had a smear there would have been no hair down there. It’s just making me feel off about it all.

I know it’s a silly thing to be worried about, normally I just worry about whether to leave my socks on or not.

OP posts:
clockover · 18/10/2021 23:27

I’ve only trimmed my pubic hair. It’s stressing me out as I used to shave it all off.

So shave it off 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't see the issue. Nobody cares if you have lots of hair, some hair or no hair. Except you. You care. So shave it.

LaurieFairyCake · 18/10/2021 23:29

I think it's worth putting here that the vast majority of women keep their pubic hair natural

Most people don't realise this because our society has become so skewed

Ruggish · 18/10/2021 23:32

Always socks on. What isn’t better with nice warm feet.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health
RagzReturnsRebooted · 18/10/2021 23:35

@Yellow85

I had to go for a colposcopy after an abnormal smear. The nurse took me aside afterward to explain to me that doing anything with your pubes was all derived from porn and it’s a male expectation that us women shouldn't be conforming to. She went on to tell me that I shoul stop shaving as it’s not good for the ‘area’. I was mortified.

Like did she look at my vag and think - too much efforts been put in here - I need to have a word 🤣

Wow. I mean, I may agree with that to an extent but I'd never say something like that! That's totally out of order. It's not the HCP's place to put their views on someone like that, especially about something so intimate. Some women do just prefer the feel of it, that's fine. I'm do smears and I'm not judging anyone's choices while I'm down there, it's a tricky job and I haven't the brain space!

I'd say I probably see more natural/slightly trimmed than fully shaved/waxed, by quite a margin, if I think about it, but I'm not usually noticing on an individual level. In fact you could ask me straight after whether you'd shaved or not and I probably wouldn't be able to answer, but I could tell you where your cervix was (sounds simple, but they hide!).
Please don't stress about it. You're doing a good thing by going.

bubblepond · 18/10/2021 23:35

I'm a doctor. Whenever I'm doing an intimate examination/catheter/anything that requires me to be down there I don't even notice people's hair situation! Honestly don't worry about it

LanisHouseLot · 18/10/2021 23:40

Even the posters saying "so long as you're clean" are going too far. You'd be surprised the number of not-so-clean women who come for smears, and those aren't in any way problematic unless it's truly dreadful... honestly your pubic hair decisions won't even register. Flowers

Bbub · 18/10/2021 23:43

@BaronessOfTheNorth

I totally overthink a smear test and I actually let my leg and pubic hair grow a bit so she doesn't think I'm showing off with my smooth skin. I usually make a joke about how hairy my legs are too, just in case she hadn't noticed.
This made me howl Grin!!!
WINDMILLinOldAmsterdam · 19/10/2021 00:06

Remember the mner who popped home for a quick wash and had used a flannel covered in glitter? .. Her dd to blame apparently!!
Grin

Similar mortifying experience involving vulval coiffure:

Filled time in waiting room by cracking on writing Christmas cards.
Evidently glitter particles transferred themselves to my hands.
Hurriedly undressed, took up position, was slightly perturbed by the nurse's amused expression.
"My, we ARE looking festive!"
Eh? Glanced down, clocked my own lightly twinkling nether region.

It's a moment relived far too frequently and I still blush.
(Did break the ice, though. And, that I was nice and relaxed after we chortled away, made for a very comfortable examination!)

OP, please don't worry at all: clean/freshen up, yes, but also remember nurses so often see people at their most vulnerable and anxious they barely register any superficial detail.

Unless it's blinged up.
Blush

NiceGerbil · 19/10/2021 03:23

As someone in middle age I find this change so strange.

I know time passes fashions/ norms change.

When I grew up no one did anything really.

I remember when was it Hollywood thing started?

It's all such a faff isn't it? And if wax it's money? Time. Another thing on the grooming schedule at back of mind for those who do it.

I've never done anything and never met anyone who got a look to have any kind of negative reaction or even a hint of oh! or anything.

OP if it makes you feel comfy for smear then maybe do it as smears are hideous enough without extra anxieties.

I can absolutely promise you that will give zero fucks.

Plus pubes are there for a reason.

1forAll74 · 19/10/2021 04:00

I think you should be more concerned about getting good results from the smear test, as I didn't years ago.

DazzleDrops · 19/10/2021 04:18

I was rather 'unkempt' down there when I recently attended my smear. I mumbled an apology to the nurse and she said that nurses don't even notice stuff like that, they know what they're looking for so not to worry about whether you're waxed or wild.

As long as your clean that's it!

MyOtherProfile · 19/10/2021 04:26

@Brollywasntneededafterall

Remember the mner who popped home for a quick wash and had used a flannel covered in glitter? .. Her dd to blame apparently!! Grin Better a bush than a no show op! The nurse could save your life. Remember that. My dm dodged smears for a decade... She had a radical hysterectomy just in time at 42..
Yes! I always think of this. Op this would be great distraction for the person doing the smear test 😁
Hoesbeforebroes · 19/10/2021 04:36

@Yellow85

I had to go for a colposcopy after an abnormal smear. The nurse took me aside afterward to explain to me that doing anything with your pubes was all derived from porn and it’s a male expectation that us women shouldn't be conforming to. She went on to tell me that I shoul stop shaving as it’s not good for the ‘area’. I was mortified.

Like did she look at my vag and think - too much efforts been put in here - I need to have a word 🤣

Well that puts paid to any reassurance that nurses don't notice or care about this stuff. I would have complained.

OP I remember a previous thread about this where there was general agreement about nurses that patients' stinky feet was the worst thing about doing smear tests, so maybe worry about that first Smile

MaybeAMoaner · 19/10/2021 05:31

I type my comment at 5.30am as I lay on a hospital ward of 5 other women. I cannot sleep as it’s just too noisy.

I am here as I have just had my cervix, womb, Fallopian tubes removed- all of which I wanted to keep.
Why? Because I went for a smear test- assuming it would be just fine like the other 5 I’ve had in my life. Unfortunately it found cervical cancer.

So do not care one bit about the presence of hair. Just care about making sure you attended and get it done.

Springplanting · 19/10/2021 05:51

@MaybeAMoaner i'm really sorry you are going through this. Flowers

Shelleymoon · 19/10/2021 05:59

MaybeAMoaner
Flowersfor you xxx

WINDMILLinOldAmsterdam · 19/10/2021 06:20

@MaybeAMoaner,

Certainly puts things in perspective. Please know that I, and I'm sure everyone else reading your post, send our thoughts your way.

I'm sorry you're going through this. Flowers

LaBellina · 19/10/2021 06:23

As long as you’re being clean they won’t be bothered. It’s not your job to meet expectations of that they might have of what a ‘pretty’ vagina might look like. Clean is all that is required.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 19/10/2021 06:49

@Yellow85

I had to go for a colposcopy after an abnormal smear. The nurse took me aside afterward to explain to me that doing anything with your pubes was all derived from porn and it’s a male expectation that us women shouldn't be conforming to. She went on to tell me that I shoul stop shaving as it’s not good for the ‘area’. I was mortified.

Like did she look at my vag and think - too much efforts been put in here - I need to have a word 🤣

How rude! As a feminist, I say women can do whatever they want with their pubes! Why is it assumed we only remove body hair for men’s approval?! Angry My DH couldn’t give a shit if I shave my legs or not but I like them shaved. If he shaved his, I wouldn’t care either.
Brollywasntneededafterall · 19/10/2021 07:18

Actually it was quite impressive that my dm lived... Hmm

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 19/10/2021 07:33

I have a retroverted uterus and it takes most nurses hours to find my cervix. The last one had to have about four attempts. I would love it if all I had to worry about was the state of my pubes!

I really don't think they could give the tiniest of shits what your grooming regime is.

LadyCampanulaTottington · 19/10/2021 07:42

I only ever trim a bit and I’ve had quite a few smears, ultrasounds and other procedures over the years.

I’ve even had a tummy tuck without shaving. They didn’t shave me, they just cut through the pubic hair and then sewed me up.

Having hair is more hygienic as its job is to stop anything getting it into important delicate areas like the vulva, vagina, eyes (eyebrows and eyelashes do that job).

HCP don’t notice let alone care OP.

SueSaid · 19/10/2021 08:10

I can't believe you've shaved your legs nevermind are considering anything else. It isn't a date.

The only preparation needed is to ensure you've showered prior Confused.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 19/10/2021 08:29

actually dont wash too much, no douching

SueSaid · 19/10/2021 08:31

'The nurse took me aside afterward to explain to me that doing anything with your pubes was all derived from porn and it’s a male expectation that us women shouldn't be conforming to. She went on to tell me that I shoul stop shaving as it’s not good for the ‘area’. I was mortified.'

Bollocks, nurses do not give a rat's ass about women's pubes.