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Original poster

Attempted to have smear test today but nurse couldn't do it

95 replies

shyalice · 14/03/2023 16:53

And now i feel so ashamed because everyone else seems to breeze through them like they're no big deal but I never do.

Had 2 other smears previously which were both so painful and took several attempts over several appointments to complete.

The nurse today was lovely and because today failed she will refer me somewhere else to have it done but I just wanted to be out of there and didn't really catch where she was referring me to.

Not sure why this has to be so hard and why I can't just be normal 😭

OP posts:
countingto10 · 14/03/2023 18:23

I’ve got a tilted cervix and for the last 25+ years I’ve had smear tests done on my side - was told to do this by an older nurse who had trouble doing the smear in the usual way. She said it would easier for me and her. Never had a problem since and only had one nurse who was a bit Hmm when I requested it as she had never done one when someone was on their side before but couldn’t believe how easily she saw my cervix🤷‍♀️

Brightshinylight · 14/03/2023 18:33

I struggle with smears, apparently because my cervix is tilted & the bit they need to get to is elusive. It hurts quite a bit as well. As I can walk to my GP I usually have a gin & tonic beforehand to help relax.

purpledalmation · 14/03/2023 18:44

I have a retroverted uterus so they just can't see the cervix. It was agony, like rummaging around up there. In the end the female dr did it. It helps to push you pelvis the opposite way to what you think it should be like arching back.

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General health
mrsmillertron · 14/03/2023 18:46

I feel for you, I always find smears terribly uncomfortable but I imagine you have the same feeling with smears as I did with my recent coil fitting, It was SO painful I vowed never again, it was akin to childbirth and I'm still having awful trouble 5 weeks later.
Smears really are vital though, I applaud you for keeping on going with them. I had CIN 3 pre-cancerous cells detected in 2019 and if I hadn't of had the lasered, the would have crossed the border into cancer. Definitely do all you can to mitigate as per prev posters and sending you good vibes!

Ishouldbeoutside · 14/03/2023 18:46

My sister had one recently that she described as being like an assault. She found it really painful and the nurse was horrible.

Original poster
shyalice · 14/03/2023 18:51

HedwigIsMyDemon · 14/03/2023 18:17

@shyalice im not sure where you get the idea that everyone else finds them easy? 🤷‍♀️

I have a very tucked away cervix which makes smear tests incredibly challenging - it’s definitely not the fault of the medical staff as I’ve lived all over the country and had smears and internal exams with numbers of different doctors and nurses.

I preserve and we get there - not always on the first attempt.

Just based on everyone who talks about them and says they're not a big deal.

OP posts:
Original poster
shyalice · 14/03/2023 18:52

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 14/03/2023 17:30

If you really can't get through the smear, buy one of the HPV tests that are non invasive. The NHS don't do anything with your collected cells unless they detect HPV first, so if you do an HPV test and are clear, you have basically achieved the same level of testing as with a smear anyway. The only thing extra you'd get from the smear is a visual check but if you're really struggling I doubt they'd spend much time gazing at your cervix anyway.

I have considered this but thought that a smear would be better because they can see if your cervix looks okay. That only works if they can actually get the speculum in to see your cervix...

OP posts:
Quizzed · 14/03/2023 18:54

I always have trouble with my smears. I have to ask for the smallest one and it's always a struggle I always leave in a lot of pain and on the odd occasion they haven't been able to do one.

HedwigIsMyDemon · 14/03/2023 18:54

@shyalice i think that those who struggle don’t share? I don’t tend to talk about it because I know how important it is not to put people off.

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 14/03/2023 18:55

I’ve never had a successful smear. Various horrible fucking nurses trying to shove the speculum up there, it feels like I’m being stabbed or pinched, or getting cross when I can’t relax (fuck off). My current nurse is an angel and has said there’s zero point trying in a quick surgery appointment when it’s so distressing for me.

I completely agree OP, it’s made out that it’s just “uncomfortable” for women but when it hurts, it HURTS and it makes us feel like we’re defective. We’re not.

Original poster
shyalice · 14/03/2023 18:55

Forgot to mention that we tried the whole fists under bum thing today.

I guess I feel guilty because every time an appointment fails then I feel like I am wasting the NHS time.

OP posts:
Odile13 · 14/03/2023 19:05

My first smear was horrendous. The nurse couldn’t do it and she called someone else in who couldn’t do it either. It was painful and scary. I left feeling really upset and shocked. I went somewhere else and explained what had happened and the nurse was very nice and managed to do it.

I think lots of women have problems with smears to be honest and the narrative you hear about how they aren’t painful and are quick and easy is not true for everyone. Of course it’s worth having one but I would be honest with the nurse and hopefully you will get a kind person who will go gently.

smellyflowers · 14/03/2023 19:06

everyone else seems to breeze through them like they're no big deal they don't, they really don't. Some people do sure but many don't.

justasking111 · 14/03/2023 19:12

purpledalmation · 14/03/2023 18:44

I have a retroverted uterus so they just can't see the cervix. It was agony, like rummaging around up there. In the end the female dr did it. It helps to push you pelvis the opposite way to what you think it should be like arching back.

Me too it's hellish to do. It would be more sensible to be on my hands and knees for a smear test

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/03/2023 19:14

I really don't breeze through them! I find them painful and difficult and am usually sick afterwards. But my sister's best friend died of cervical cancer when she was in her 20s so I go every time I'm called.

My cervix is very high and tilted apparently, and there is only one nurse at our practice who can do it. I only book for days she's working now. I dread the day she moves on or wins the lottery!

Katiecoffee · 14/03/2023 19:14

Please persevere and make sure you get your smears. They are so important and you wont be thought of as wasting the NHS time.

I work at a GP surgery and when I was on reception I often chaperoned for women having coils fitted. The GP that fitted them was incredibly experienced at doing them and he used to struggle with some women. Its all to do the way your cervix lies.

If they refer you to the hospital ask them to make a note on your record so that when it comes round again they can just refer you straight to the hospital so that you don't have to go through the whole thing again with the practice nurse.

We always recommend two paracetamol an hour before the appointment for coil fits and the same goes with women who struggle with smears.

Good luck.

Ponderingwindow · 14/03/2023 19:23

My last smear, we almost didn’t do it because they didn’t have a lubricant that was safe for me to use. I would have brought some but I didn’t realize they wanted to add the smear to my appointment that day. They went and found a small disposable speculum and we did it with no problems. I didn’t notice the lack of lubricant at all. It was also ironically the first smear of my life that didn’t result in strange bleeding for a few days afterwards, but I don’t think that is because of the speculum, it was because it was the first time having one after learning the normal lubricant wasn’t safe for me.

i don’t know if your facility has different types of speculums, but it might be worth asking.

billybear · 14/03/2023 19:24

i struggled a lot with them, now wear a loose skirt so not as stripped off, put my hands under my bum and push up, it helps the position a lot, good luck

JeannieAlogy · 14/03/2023 19:26

I have a tilted cevix and told the nurse this before she started. Thankfully she went slowly and was very competent. It was much less uncomfortable than I'd expected, and she really helped me relax.
She was using a plastic speculum rather than metal which may have helped.
Sorry to all those who've had horrible experiences. Does seem to be very much an attitude of 'put up AND shut up' regarding female pain and discomfort.

LemonDrizzles · 14/03/2023 19:31

But why why why. We can send multiple people you the moon, but a pain free smear test? I do it. I hate it. 2 childbirth later, I still think smear is more painful.

CherryogDog · 14/03/2023 19:41

I never had problems until after the menopause, I've now got VA and a bladder prolapse.
Last smear I booked, I told the receptionist that I need an appointment with the most experienced nurse because of this. She said thanks for making them aware and yes that's booked.
Didn't get that nurse, got one who couldn't do it and had to bring in the nurse I'd tried to book with.
In future I'm going to book with the sexual health clinic.

sallydoodlecat · 14/03/2023 19:45

shyalice · 14/03/2023 16:53

And now i feel so ashamed because everyone else seems to breeze through them like they're no big deal but I never do.

Had 2 other smears previously which were both so painful and took several attempts over several appointments to complete.

The nurse today was lovely and because today failed she will refer me somewhere else to have it done but I just wanted to be out of there and didn't really catch where she was referring me to.

Not sure why this has to be so hard and why I can't just be normal 😭

Could it be that you have a tilted cervix? I often had problems and pain. They've now told me to always ask for a long speculum (think that's the right terminology!). And, although it's not pleasant, it's over a lot quicker and less pain than before.

anonmarch2023 · 14/03/2023 19:50

I have a retroverted uterus/hidden cervix and history of sexual abuse - most recent smear was done by a consultant in specialist clinic . Her advice for me - long and narrow speculum, head down tilt (so head is lower than pelvis) and a cough which brings cervix into view . Not easily managed on a GP bed though.

She also gave me the option of inserting the speculum myself . No pain and very little anxiety . I’ve previously needed an anaesthetic or sedative medication, so amazed she got it on the first try!!

Beesandhoney123 · 14/03/2023 20:00

Small spectrum thing - you can ask for it.

I once had a nurse snap at me ' don't be silly you've had dc' when she couldn't do it. I've had C sections actually - but I left and asked for another nurse another day. No problems that time.

It might still be difficult. Doc can refer you to hospital where you can have gas and air or if like me it doesn't work, they give you a local or knock you out.

The nurses were fabulous when I couldn't manage at hospital. I was in tears my body was being so difficult. I just wanted it over with.

shewhomustbeEbayed · 14/03/2023 20:01

The nurses always used to have trouble doing my smears and they were always v uncomfortable, one nurse eventually told me that my cervix was high up and tilted, I think she made a note for future nurses so they knew to use a longer speculum.