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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:

itchyhand · 14/03/2023 20:16

If you have any control of your next appointment try to book it after you ovulate but before your period. You want your cervix to be at its lowest position.

Prescottdanni123 · 14/03/2023 20:34

I had the same issue with my smear last year at my GP surgery. 3 attempts and the nurses couldn't do it. I found it too painful. That was when I had to lie on my back with my knees drawn up. They referred me to the nearest hospital's outpatient gynecology department and I had a completely different experience. I was sat in a chair this time and I didn't feel a thing. I didn't actually know the nurse had started until she told me she was about to open the speculum.

Prescottdanni123 · 14/03/2023 20:36

Just want to add, you definitely shouldn't feel bad.

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JennieTheZebra · 14/03/2023 20:53

I had my last smear/coil fitting under general anaesthetic! Maybe taking it a bit far (I’m complicated medically and they wanted to do a colposcopy too), but still, easiest smear ever.

Calcu · 14/03/2023 21:02

I just asked to be referred straight to the hospital now. I had to have one done under general once. It had to be done as it was my first one after having abnormal cells removed which were also done under general. During the follow up one under general the gynaecologist wrote down clear instructions like the hands on a clock of how to find my cervix!

Last year I managed to have it done at the gynaecology at the hospital after a failed attempt at the GP surgery. The hospital asked if I wanted referring straight for a general but I asked them to at least try first! Got to go back again soon as last one showed HPV. You really should push for more support if too painful

JennieTheZebra · 14/03/2023 21:06

@Calcu snap! 😁

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 14/03/2023 21:07

My cervix is always hiding. I have the nurse that says, 'usually I'm the one that does the difficult ones'! Last time I went back a second time and she still could t find it a D suggested coming back and getting a doctor to do it. I was fed up and refused. One last try and she found it thank goodness. I think I have reached the age now where I will only be called in once every 5 years, the I goodness.

dittbtdity · 14/03/2023 21:14

Yes happened to me. Nurse went through every speculum in her collection before referring me on 😊

Hellebore34 · 14/03/2023 21:15

You have my sympathy. I had mine today and it was painful and difficult as usual. The nurse was lovely but I have a very tilted cervix (and on the mini pill so it's not like any time of the month is better). I don't have a problem with them putting the speculum in, it's the angling it around, pushing it about, trying to actually find my cervix that hurts. They end up smacking it against my urethra again and again and it's excruciating. I was crying out with pain. It's shit being a woman sometimes!

Suzi888 · 14/03/2023 21:19

They’re horrible aren’t they? but over quickly usually. The most comfortable one I’ve had was done by a G.P, warm speculum, lots of lube, chatty doctor. Not pleasant but okay.

The worst was done by a nurse, I was anxious, she was rough, shouted at me to relax my muscles 🙄.
Another nurse took awhile but used lube and was very nice, made me laugh, which relaxed me. Bled a little after and some tum ache, which she had said I might. I tell them as soon as I go in that I’ll be very tense- the longer it goes on the worse it gets, telling them straight away that your tense means they can ease you into it /lube/smaller speculum, talk to you, (or not) etc. Really does depend on the nurse/doc though. You aren’t alone 💐

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 14/03/2023 21:28

I'm a foreigner, I had smear test done in my native country, never had problems. It was done in the specialist clinics. People doing it was very experienced.

I've had it done here too, and it was really painful. But it was done at GP's surgery, they are not specialist, just normal nurse.

I think that makes a lot of difference.

Same for blood test. In the hospital on the ward, done by doctors, sometimes they are totally useless and takes forever and really painful. Done by the specialist nurse/phlebotomist, done in seconds without any pain.

KatieKat88 · 14/03/2023 21:43

I was told at the colcoscopy clinic to ask for a Winterton speculum - that's the long narrow one. Was uncomfortable but fine, compared to the normal speculum which was absolute agony. I've written it in my diary so I don't forget next time a smear rolls around!

bellsbuss · 14/03/2023 21:52

I always struggled with smears , then I discovered I had tilted cervix and they started using a different whatever it's called what they use to do it and it's been fine since

Bluebottomedsheep · 14/03/2023 22:19

As a male friend said today when discussing the bruising I experienced last week from my Mammogram ‘if men needed Mammograms or Smears the technology would have been developed to ensure both were a pain free process’

I felt violated by the young male Gynaecologist who performed my last smear. He told me I was making a fuss as he roughly inserted a speculum several sizes too large and questioned why he couldn’t find my inverted cervix. I left in tears with blood running down my leg and bled for hours afterwards.

I was tempted to make a complaint (something not in my nature) but assumed that it must be my fault, not down to his inexperience and total lack of bedside manner !!

GladysGeorgina · 14/03/2023 22:45

Not unusual. Last time the practice nurse couldn’t find my cervix so called in a midwife. Both had a look and in the end it “appeared” At a later cervical scan before starting HRT the sonographer announced I have a tilted cervix and an unusual heart shaped womb. Apparently this explains the smear troubles and also why menstrual cups never sit properly and always leak. I had no idea! I’d never miss a smear - I just mentally hang my dignity up outside and try to relax in the knowledge it’ll probably take a while…

ChicagoBears · 14/03/2023 22:48

I struggle sometimes and have to have a mini-speculum which has helped. They don’t always have them so I always call up in advance.

Aganta · 14/03/2023 22:59

OP I hope you realise now that you're far from alone.

It does annoy me, this narrative that women are reluctant to have smears because they're weak/embarrassed. Maybe stop hurting us and we'll be more amenable.

ZiriForEver · 14/03/2023 23:16

It is so absurd. Women for whom it is painful are not talking about it, either from embarrassement or to not deter others from important check, so it isn't visible how bad the current procedure is.

I don't believe there is no better way to get the same results, one which would count with real women's bodies.

LadyClaude · 14/03/2023 23:28

Last time I went for mine I had a large glass of wine beforehand to help me relax, as it's always an ordeal. It sometimes takes multiple appointments before they can get it done. But it's so important, as well all know. Not suggesting you (or anyone else) have booze OP, but for me it definitely helps. I also make sure I have a bit of time afterwards to go and do something nice, so I can focus on that... A nice little treat once the 'ordeal' is over with, to look forward to I find helps me reframe things on the way to the appointment and whilst laying there, squirming!

Just know you're not alone and this happens to a lot of us; it's nothing to be embarrassed by. I always ask for the smallest speculum too, and pre warn the nurse that my body doesn't always like to play nice when having a smear - I feel it helps to give them the heads up so they know what to possibly expect x

Thistlelass · 14/03/2023 23:30

Hi. I have a retroverted uterus and so they use a long handled speculum. Made it si much easier and I always remind them. Possibly an appointment with your doctor to discuss.

Rebel2 · 14/03/2023 23:43

It's much easier on your side. I think this every time I go for one and they say drop your knees and I think "where to?!" because the bed is against the wall

www.jostrust.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blog/blog/left-lateral-position-–-better-option-patients

olympicsrock · 14/03/2023 23:52

When I had a mirena coil fitted , the GP who was a coil Fitter for a large practice struggled to visualize my cervix . It was Agony you are not alone.

dreamingbohemian · 15/03/2023 00:03

It's not you OP (and everyone else)

It's actually shocking how they do smears in this country. Everywhere else I've lived, you lie down on a special exam table, you put your feet up in stirrups, they get you in the optimum position and only then do they go in. Takes 2 seconds and doesn't hurt.

I've only had one smear here and it was ridiculous, the nurse had to poke around for almost 10 minutes while I waved my ass in the air. Yes I have a tilted uterus but this has never been a problem before.

Just another example of how gynecology is totally neglected in this country.

Maternityleavelady · 15/03/2023 00:03

I also really struggle with smears, partly because my cervix is tilted back and hard to find. I used to take Valium and drink a glass of wine beforehand. Now I usually drink 2 glasses of wine and take an ibuprofen. Both help me relax and reduce any discomfort. They have got easier over time.

Rebel2 · 15/03/2023 00:06

dreamingbohemian · 15/03/2023 00:03

It's not you OP (and everyone else)

Just another example of how gynecology is totally neglected in this country.

It's just not set up for it really

At my surgery like I said the bed is against the wall and there's no room at the bottom of the bed either
So you have one knee dropped, the other half propped against the wall, the nurse stood at the side...
I'm "look can I just lie on my side facing the wall, you stand at the side of the bed and we are done!"

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