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Original poster

Are your smears more painful the older you get?

58 replies

IBlameTheDog · 25/08/2024 17:24

I've always find them to be ok. Not fun but not painful.

I'm 50 and post menopausal now and had one on Friday.

Holy shit! It actually made me cry and I'm not one to shed a tear normally.

Is this yet another joy of getting older?

Thank god they're only every five years now (hopefully).

OP posts:
Hoglet70 · 25/08/2024 17:26

Had one a fortnight ago and it was fine so nope, no different.

butterbeansauce · 25/08/2024 17:28

I didn't find that. I had one recently with a nurse who does the most. I think experience is the best indicator. I'd never have a GP do one if i had the choice. When I have it was awful and took ages as they don't do many.

Apparently people ask for this nurse. I had to actually check she'd done it.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 25/08/2024 17:31

I did OP. Always absolutely fine, even my first. Uncomfortable but not agony. They always warmed the speculum and used lube, now they go in cold and dry (TMI)… but it hurts so much and I even bled a little last time. I haven’t gone to my recent invitation, can’t face it. Avoid the G.P at all costs now, feel they just can’t be bothered.

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Unforgettablefire · 25/08/2024 17:32

My last one was really painful I felt I was being ripped open. Really hurt. I'm peri.

MattDamon · 25/08/2024 17:35

I've only had two and the second one hurt SO much more. Like she tore something. I bled so badly it splashed up on the wall(!). It's put me off going again.

ncgfryhfdg · 25/08/2024 17:36

I’ve always found them very painful, and in turn feel quite violated. There’s no reason for this - no abuse or anything and have 2 kids so used to being examined.
I’m in my 50s now and ashamed to say it’s been about 7 years since my last one- I just can’t face it😢
it annoys me when when people say “it’s just a bit of discomfort”… not for some of us!

Original poster
IBlameTheDog · 25/08/2024 17:38

It was soooo painful. She did use lube to be fair and she was very lovely but I was literally hyperventilating trying to breathe through the pain. She was a young girl so I wasn't sure if it was her 'technique' or whether it was me.

She said they offer a pessary three weeks before which makes you a bit juicier (her words not mine!) so maybe I need to do that next time.

When you consider that they only check for HPV I'm sure there must be a blood test they can do instead. I honestly don't know if I'll have one again after that.

OP posts:
Original poster
IBlameTheDog · 25/08/2024 17:38

MattDamon · 25/08/2024 17:35

I've only had two and the second one hurt SO much more. Like she tore something. I bled so badly it splashed up on the wall(!). It's put me off going again.

That's horrendous, you poor thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
IBlameTheDog · 25/08/2024 17:39

Unforgettablefire · 25/08/2024 17:32

My last one was really painful I felt I was being ripped open. Really hurt. I'm peri.

That's how I felt. Like I was tearing.

OP posts:
furusato · 25/08/2024 17:41

I have always found them painful. Taking the sample in particular. I have never understood how they could be described as 'uncomfortable' because every one I have had has had me cry in pain.

Rubyandscarlett · 25/08/2024 17:42

Yep, fucking agony since menopause. Dread it now, never used to.

DramaAlpaca · 25/08/2024 17:42

Yes, they can get more unpleasant, even painful, due to vaginal atrophy in perimenopause and postmenopause. If you are on HRT or using oestrogen pessaries it shouldn't be too bad. If not, it can be sore. A smaller speculum and plenty of lube should help a lot, plus the old trick of putting your clenched fists under your bum to raise things up a bit.

bringincrazyback · 25/08/2024 17:43

ncgfryhfdg · 25/08/2024 17:36

I’ve always found them very painful, and in turn feel quite violated. There’s no reason for this - no abuse or anything and have 2 kids so used to being examined.
I’m in my 50s now and ashamed to say it’s been about 7 years since my last one- I just can’t face it😢
it annoys me when when people say “it’s just a bit of discomfort”… not for some of us!

Oh, that drives me mad. I've always found smears painful (narrow vagina, never had kids, and I've recently learned I also have a tilted uterus which might account in part for past difficulties.) Some vaginismus has crept into the mix as a result of all this (plus unsympathetic nurses barking at me to 'relax' - very constructive, not!) so smears have become progressively more difficult as I've aged tbh.

Post-menopausal now and finding sex difficult as well. 😕Currently on Vagirux to try and resolve this as it's too painful for me to actually have a smear at all right now. 😕

muddyford · 25/08/2024 17:45

Yes, the last one I had was more like sexual assault, so I have withdrawn from screening. Along with several friends and relations in their 50s. They are using technology from 70+years ago. And it feels like it. The plastic disposable speculum has an inherently tacky surface, unlike the steel ones of old.

the80sweregreat · 25/08/2024 17:49

The nurse has to use a longer speculum for me and I have a tilted womb so it's a horrible experience all round and always hurt

Original poster
IBlameTheDog · 25/08/2024 17:51

the80sweregreat · 25/08/2024 17:49

The nurse has to use a longer speculum for me and I have a tilted womb so it's a horrible experience all round and always hurt

That's the same for me. But the last one I had (and every one before that) was ok. This was so bad I was seconds away from telling her to stop.

I don't think I can face that again.

OP posts:
Norugratsatall · 25/08/2024 17:54

Yes! It was agony and I admit I cried out. Luckily only every five years for me too now so plenty of time for me to forget how awful it was. I'm well into post menopausal now and so have had 3 or 4 like this.

Gwenhwyfar · 25/08/2024 17:54

IBlameTheDog · 25/08/2024 17:38

It was soooo painful. She did use lube to be fair and she was very lovely but I was literally hyperventilating trying to breathe through the pain. She was a young girl so I wasn't sure if it was her 'technique' or whether it was me.

She said they offer a pessary three weeks before which makes you a bit juicier (her words not mine!) so maybe I need to do that next time.

When you consider that they only check for HPV I'm sure there must be a blood test they can do instead. I honestly don't know if I'll have one again after that.

They test for HPV and then if it's positive they look at the cervical swab itself I think.

Is there any treatment for vaginal atrophy apart from HRT?

SanFranBear · 25/08/2024 17:57

I'm firmly peri and my recent smear was the most painless I've ever had... have to agree with the PP that perhaps its related to experience as the nurse was an old hand, so to speak.

I'm sorry for those of you experiencing them differently though - it must be hard, weighing up the importance of regular screening versus the pain. Agree that it must surely be about time for the method to be updated or a suitable blood test to be developed?

Portfun24 · 25/08/2024 17:57

I had one last May and it was horrific and I bled heavily after it for ages. Had one about three months ago and it was fine with no issues literally took a minute.

Min133 · 25/08/2024 17:57

I'm 37 and I've only ever had 2. The first one was a couple of months after I had my baby and wasn't too bad but still painful. By the time I was about to say stop it was over. BUT went a couple of weeks ago and oh my God it just so much. The nurse asked me if I had managed to have my baby naturally as I think she thought I was a wimp but it felt like I was being torn. When she said she was about to take the sample and feel pain I felt nothing as I was in agony from the speculum. After I stood up and my vision was going and ringing in my ears so I knew I was about to faint. I got out the room as quick as I could and went to the loo to lie on the floor until I felt better. I'm quite resilient person but honestly felt a bit traumatized about it for a good few days. Next time I need testing I'd rather spend £100 on the do it yourself from home test because there's no way I want to go through that again

Original poster
IBlameTheDog · 25/08/2024 17:57

I might be wrong, but I got the impression that if they detected HPV they'd make me come back for another one, so I don't think they'd look at the swab they took on Friday.

And they said I'd have to have one annually if I did have HPV.

I've just started on HRT so maybe that would help in the future although at this moment I'd be happy to never bother again.

OP posts:
Guavafish1 · 25/08/2024 17:57

Super painful… I take paracetamol 30 mins before the appointment and even after it hurts!

Jennalong · 25/08/2024 17:58

If your quite dry or have atrophy then yes . Take a couple of paracetamol before hand and ball up your hands to fists and put them under your bum to help you tilt yourself up .

Janeb1965 · 25/08/2024 17:58

Mine have always been very painful (tilted uterus) but post menopause they are unbearable. I've now not had one for 5 years and have no intention of going again. I'm low risk, same sexual partner for 35 years, no previous scares or recalls, so I'm fine with ignoring the letters much as I fully take part in all and any other screening. It's yet one more thing that I'm sure would have been sorted if it being done to men.