Does everyone hate smear tests as much as me?

[procrastinatinglemon]

I know we all dislike them but I'm trying to work out if I'm being immature and over the top about this. Last one I cried because it hurt but also because I just felt so vulnerable.
I experienced some low level sexual abuse as a child and I'm not sure if this is why I hate it so much or if everyone does and I'm normal! I can't relax when they say to, it's impossible.

I hate them! Absolutely hate them! They hurt and I’ve even gone as far as buying a speculum to help me get used to the sensation at home (didn’t work, something about a random woman who I don’t really know doing the do makes me super tense! And as other say.. ‘relax’ how!)

That said… a girl I went to school with died as a result of cervical cancer (by the time she went to the drs the nurse could see the cancer as it was really big, and it had spread). Before she passed the girl raised a load of money for charity and did loads of awareness campaigns, she was on the regional news at the time. I didn’t know her that well at school as she was in the year below me, but still seeing everything on my social media (we have quite a few friends in common) has made me realise that it’s important to go ….. admittedly I did put it off for couple of months BUT I was due to go the time we had the covid vaccine rolled out and I decided I’d wait until everything was quieter.

I pay to do an at home HPV test from Superdrug every few years.

I really don’t understand why home testing can’t be rolled out on the nhs

That sounds like a good option for anyone who can’t face a smear test.

I tolerate them but I have an understanding gp who does it for me. I am a survivor of Csa. I insert the speculum myself as it helps me feel in control. I've had rogue cells in the past and needed 3 monthly tests for several years. Gp understands and has made it as easy as possible. I also was given a speculum to try at home and being able to look at my own cervix was empowering

my mum's friend died when I was young from embarrassment, she had what turned out to be cervical cancer symptoms but had a male gp and wouldn't talk to him about her symptoms as he was a man, there was a female gp in the practice but she wouldn't see her as she didn't want to offend her gp by the time she finally saw someone and was diagnosed in July and died by November.

After 2 bad experiences with a GP and a gynaecologist, I haven’t had one done since. That’s was about 6 years ago. It’s actually put me off seeing a doctor for any reason.

What does the at home test entail?

1000% agree with pp recommending the at home test. @Sunshineismyfriend it’s a simple swab that tests for hpv. It’s the best thing ever, no more smear test fear, stressing out over scheduling etc etc. It’s simple, totally pain free and quick. The nhs (as others have said) only test the cells if the sample is positive for hpv, otherwise they’re binned, so testing at home for hpv saves all that (most likely pointless) drama. It’s standard practise in other countries already and I bet we’ll adopt it here eventually. Should be offered to all women in my view.

I hate them, not because I'm embarrassed or have been through abuse or anything. But because it hurts! My uterus/cervix is at an awkward angle and find the speculum really uncomfortable. I always bleed a bit after and have a little cry. The last one I had I was pretty much screaming in pain telling them to stop.
But I have to have them done due to history of precancerous cells and being HPV positive :(

I’ve opted out but I find you really need to be assertive about it. I hate going to the GP for something totally unrelated and being blindsided by being asked why I’m not getting smears. My answer is ‘I’ve made an informed choice not to undertake that screening’ but it’s still an uncomfortable moment.

I get this but with contraception. It drives me nuts. I do not want to take hormonal contraception or have a foreign object implanted in me. DH and I have been together since we were teenagers. We planned and had one child in our 30s. Never had a scare. We are sensible in using barrier methods together with tracking my cycle. Still get the coil lecture every time with a disapproving face even when I say I have made an informed decision. Attitudes in women’s healthcare have so far to go.

I have a real phobia. I won't go into why but I've had smears under general anaesthetic before. I plucked up the courage to see a nurse practitioner and she prescribed me diazepam to take before and booked me a double appointment with two practice nurses, one trained in trauma informed gynae care. Yes a lot of resources but cheaper than cancer care. If you can find a good practice nurse/nurses to support you it may get to a tolerable point. It will never be easy for me but I have reached a point where I can at least turn up

I get it for contraception as well. Always with the hard sell in the coil or implant. I’m not fucking interested. Please stop nagging me and let’s discuss my blood test results please. Grrr.

If you hate them that much, just get the HPV test you do yourself at home, I think Superdrug do them.

Smear tests are kind of pointless now anyway if your HPV negative as they don’t even bother to check the cells they have harvested from the actual smear test. I just don’t see the point anymore. 🤷🏼‍♀️

In France, women go to see their gynaecologist once a year for a check up, examination, breast concerns or anything female and it is the gynaecologist who performs the Pap test.
I now live in Australia and when I had my gp for a referral to see one, she looked at me as if I was mad. I now have my yearly check-up when I go home for the holidays.

During Covid, borders were closed , so I had it with my GP.vero different experience! I can’t blame you for hating them

I don't have smear tests. I had one 17 years ago and that's it. However after reading this thread I may get the Superdrug test.

So if we do the at home HPV test, do we report that to the dr?

I took a cannabis gummy before my last one to relax. Still awful. Took first nurse 3 goes and she couldn't get to my cervix, called a colleague who got it on the third go. So six attempts in total. I'm never going again. I've never had HPV and unlikely I'll ever get it. Used to have smears done at the local GUM clinic, they were amazing. Proper gynae table, highly trained doctors who could do it in one. But they closed it a decade ago.

You can mention it next time you're there but it's not a legal requirement to have a smear so only if you want to.

Ah okay, just thought it might stop the reminders maybe.

I hate them too. I had a painful one once and since then I’m ashamed to say I avoid them. A nurse at my practice made me promise to book one and even gave me some diazepam that could help me to relax beforehand. I did intend to book it but I haven’t. Thought it was just me with this fear tbh.

The reminders cone from a central office somewhere and I was told just to ignore them when I couldn't attend.

I hate it so much. I guess I must tense up and it is impossible to do. Do not have an SA history but always feel they are stabbing me with a pair of scissors!

The first time I had it done was age 11 by a male doctor (regular thrush) and it was perfectly fine. The only thing I did not like was hearing the 'click'!.

However all the female nurses seem quite rough. "Relax" they say and "Put your bum back on the table". Nope I am staying on the ceiling! Well out of the way!!!

As my last one could not be done at the GP I have to go to a Hospital. Really looking forward to it. Oh yes indeedy.

How far in do you have to go with the home test? I have vaginismus and can’t even come close to inserting a tampon, the thought of inserting something myself makes me feel sick.

my smear test is overdue now by about 10 months. I’ve been getting back bad ache and terrified I’ve got cervical cancer now anyway. I really want to book and go and get checked but I can’t imagine they will be able to get it done.

The home test is a long cotton wool Bud type thing, much much smaller than a tampon though I think it’s supposed to go quite far up

Thank you for answering! Probably still a bit too much for me to think about doing myself.

I want to be brave and ring the doctors but I just find it all traumatising. I’m sorry other people are struggling but it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one. Rather than having the usual brigade of just go, it’s better than getting cancer, it’s only a little bit uncomfortable etc etc. I’m so jealous of people who can go and just be out in two minutes.