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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:

Yellow85 · 19/10/2021 09:08

@JaniieJones

'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.

Are you just here to vent yeah?

SueSaid · 19/10/2021 09:19

'Are you just here to vent yeah?'

Nope, just pointing out nurses are far too busy to be taking anyone to one side to give them lectures on porn and 'male expectations'.

Cervical screening is a vital part of women's health we need to be grown up about it and not care less about hair removal. Hcps do not care.

Potpourri23 · 19/10/2021 09:25

Slightly off topic but I've heard the "accidental glitter" story so many times, often with the exact same wording of "my, we are looking festive" that I have a hard time believing it ever happened to anyone, let alone multiple women. Sorry, pp.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health

DownWhichOfLate · 19/10/2021 09:28

Oh look. The name changed OP hasn’t returned having got all the descriptions of your pubes he required.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 19/10/2021 09:40

I'm fascinated by the talk of a hiding cervix now. I would have thought it was just a dead end, without much in the way of hiding places?

BaronessOfTheNorth · 19/10/2021 09:42

@Potpourri23

Same here...it seems to be happening to so many people! 🤔

Frazzled2207 · 19/10/2021 09:44

i get why you're self conscious about it, I am too.
But honestly it's fine. They don't care.

TackyJewellery · 19/10/2021 10:35

@Potpourri23

I remember reading the ‘accidental glitter’ story on the letters pages of my nan’s Take A Break when I was about 11 years old.

toocold54 · 19/10/2021 10:45

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.

😂😂😂

toocold54 · 19/10/2021 10:51

I'm fascinated by the talk of a hiding cervix now. I would have thought it was just a dead end, without much in the way of hiding places?

Last time I had a smear the nurse told me I had a really nice cervix (I was a bit taken back at first) - apparently some women don’t and it can be difficult to find/slightly more uncomfortable.

SueSaid · 19/10/2021 11:08

The only thing the hcp cares about is how long it takes you to get undressed, then dressed again and leave. Yes they'll of course have a lovely manner and smile but honestly layers and layers of clothes then 10mins of rustling behind the screen is a pita.

I often think people should be requested to wear a skirt and no knickers to speed the process up a bit .

toocold54 · 19/10/2021 11:31

I often think people should be requested to wear a skirt and no knickers to speed the process up a bit

I always wear a long skirt or dress with knickers and then just slide my knickers off and hitch up my skirt, it’s definitely a lot quicker.

gogohm · 19/10/2021 14:58

I just have a bit of a trim with nail scissors as we were in semi lockdown and no waters were open

Couldhavebeenme3 · 19/10/2021 15:14

I was recalled for a smear in September, completely forgot until my phone beeped to remind me 30 mins before my appointment.

Swift flannel to the nethers, jumped in the car and down to the surgery. Said to the nurse 'apologies for the hairy legs' never mind the hairy muff and she said 'don't worry, autumn is coming, time to grow em out anyway'

CharityDingle · 19/10/2021 15:35

@Brollywasntneededafterall

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

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..

www.snopes.com/fact-check/glitter-spray-mishap/

maofteens · 19/10/2021 15:42

Goodness I don't groom at all down there and didn't bother to shave my legs either. All you need to be is clean. It will be much more uncomfortable if you are feeling tense.

PurBal · 19/10/2021 15:43

I went today. Hadn’t even showered just a flannel wash. 3 month post partum so it’s all wrecked down there, hair is the least of my worries. I wore socks.

Gonnagetgoing · 19/10/2021 16:01

They won't care. Why should/would they?

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