Has anyone had a smear test under G.A?(TW sexual trauma)

[thebartenderatethethief]

I have vaginismus following an 'unfortunate sex incident' shall we say.

I went for an examination to check the damage from said incident and the doctor said I am due a smear test and it won't be possible given how much I am tensing-he acknowledged it was psychosomatic, I have never been afraid of smear tests and never have missed one.

I mean, they're not pleasant are they? But I've always managed to have them. I didn't realise I was tensing but I must have been.

He didn't really give me a choice-just said the vaginismus is severe and I'll be put under.

Fair enough-but has anyone had one this way? What was it like? What can I expect to happen?

I've also never had a GA. I am surprised, but I don't feel so afraid of it. I've always dreaded having to have one-I guess this is a bit different as it isn't 'going under the knife' and one of my fears was always waking up mid-op, and if I did this time, wouldn't really matter so much.

Hey OP, sorry you're having to deal with all this.

This is only an aside and possibly unhelpful. I'm posting just in case it can help and you haven't tried.

You mentioned that you'd been to a female physio. Was this one specialising in the pelvic floor? If not it may be worth going to one to help - try to help - with things like the sensation of needing to pee as well as the tension. If she was specialised in that then possibly going back for some more could help. I've had to go back a couple of times and it's helped. It's different things but I also have nerve damage internally and while it'll never come back, it appears that over the years a) I forget to do the exercises properly and b) my body (and mind) has had other changes that also impacts the pelvic floor.

If this is useless, then apologies and I hope it doesn't come across as patronising. You know your body best.

When you ask what is going to happen during the GA/smear you might also want to know exactly who is going to be in the theatre with you, and state whether you consent to students being in theatre or not. Some people really don't mind if they are, some people really do mind if anybody extra is there, some think they have to "consent" because "students have to learn somehow", while other people have no idea it could a possibility. You've obviously had a horrible experience before and GA may help enormously in your current situation. Maybe best to make sure there are no unintended consequences though, especially if there's a chance to avoid them beforehand.

Good luck and I hope you get all the treatment you need.

@daretodenim
It was a female gynecologist and she recommended I see a pelvic physiotherapist, as well as a specialist gynecologist for trauma. The gynecologist who I saw last week said physio wouldn't be helpful because I don't have bladder weakness? So didn't refer me.

They don't seem to be consistent at all.

Thank you for your post-I will speak to them before I am anesthatised and ask what exactly is happening.
It doesn't help that I had a copy of the letter the gyno sent to the GP, through the post this morning and it says 'no affect on ability to orgasm' which is NOT true, I can hardly ever orgasm now and when I do it isn't as intense. I am going to write a letter to the GP and send a copy to him too!

@thebartenderatethethief I've just had a look on trust pilot and they have quite a few negative reviews.

Thank you-I hadn't thought of that!

What would put you off@Jellycatspyjamas , anything in particular?

For me it would be a lack of control, knowing they were putting me under to facilitate an intimate procedure would be too anxiety provoking for me - I have a trauma history involving lack of control so wouldn’t tolerate it. The My Body Back clinic gives you complete control of the process which made it possible for me to cope. That’s very specific to me though, you may be absolutely fine.