Please give me a prod and tell me my smear test is going to be fine

[Dallimore]

I’ve had the letter through for my next one and I know I should go, but I’m dreading it and just can’t build up the guts to do it. My first ever one was 3 years ago and it was awful. It was so so painful, I bled a lot more than I should have, and it led to months of appointments, scans and investigations leading to me being diagnosed with PCOS and fibroids. I’m glad it was all sorted otherwise I think it would have taken a lot longer to be diagnosed if it hadn’t gone the way it did

But the thought of putting myself through that pain again is horrible. How do I get a grip and just get it over with!?

You could look into relaxation or breathing techniques. Or tell yourself it is only a few minutes and have something positive to look forward to afterwards.
You can also ask for someone to be with you if it would help or/and ask the nurse to use the smallest speculum.
Also tell the nurse how you're feeling when you first go in. Then she will check with you throughout to make sure you're comfortable.

Two of my very close friends/relatives have just had their lives saved by smears. One has pre-cancerous cells and the other had cancer. Both are young.

Go - it may be unpleasant but it could really save your life.

They only test for HPV so buy yourself a home test kit .

Don't know if this is helpful for you but the last one I had the nurse got me to sit up slightly instead of laying flat on my back and I barely felt it. She said she always does them like that and they are much more comfortable for the patient.

You know that these days they test for HPV first, and bin the cell sample without looking at it if you are HPV negative? I find it hugely disrespectful to women, especially those who find smears painful. I'm getting a home HPV test from a pharmacy next time, and only booking a smear of it comes back positive.

That might not be right for you, and I don't know whether the home tests are as accurate. I imagine I'd not want to take any risks in your position. But understand your options. Maybe book an appointment and discuss it with the nurse.

@Floralnomad @TwinklingStarlight I actually didn't know that was all they test for. I'm glad I went the first time as it led to diagnosis for me when they spotted something wasn't right, but it was so painful and undignified. I'm not sure if it's even worse that they are only looking for one thing, although I understand how important that one thing is

Tell the nurse you're nervous. My cervix is hard to find (!?) and the nurse asks me to put my fists under my bottom to make it easier.

Please go though, the nurse can also do a quick visual check on your cervix for extra reassurance.
Good luck!