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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to noit expect a smear test to be very painfull?

89 replies

ledkr · 13/05/2011 16:35

I had one today,i am 43 have always kept up to date with them but have always found them to be fairly painfull,its the bit where they scrape your cervix.it feels as if a nevre is being touched and may bum shoots of the bed,not very dignified with a speculum inside you Hmm I am pretty good with pain normally but smears really bother me. It was more painfull today tho,my dd was born 14 wks ago but by section so shouldnt be that.Any ideas of how to make it a bit less traumatic would also be welcome.

OP posts:
Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 16:36

bum,obviously meant not not noit!

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sausagesandmarmelade · 13/05/2011 16:37

Ohhh I HATE speculum's........

Had a hysteroscopy the other day (without general anaesthetic) and the speculum was the worst bit!!!! Dug into my bits! OUCH!

sausagesandmarmelade · 13/05/2011 16:39

As for advice....you could try taking a pain killer an hour or so before your smear...and definitely tell them how you are feeling...and that they are usually painful for you.

They may be able to give you one with a local anaesthetic

knockinonyerdoor · 13/05/2011 16:41

I've found they are a lot worse since they started using those 'brush' thingys instead of the old wooden spatula, I think the tip of the brush gets a lot higher up in your cervix, anyway it's a sharp 'pinch' feeling, a bit like a needle. With the old spatula I never felt anything much.

I wonder if you could request the old style one? I don't know if they even still have them.

Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 16:41

Thanks sausages,it does worry me that if God forbid it came back abnormal i couldnt cope with any further treatment or investigations.I did think of taking some good pain killers first,i used to do that to have a wax Grin it would be nice if they did them on a saturday night after a few Wine s

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Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 16:44

oh yes the brush,ive heard thats worse,i havent had one for a whils so maybe thats what was different,i felt like a right prat thrashing about on the bed.

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millie30 · 13/05/2011 16:45

I had a smear last week and it was really painful, they had to get different size speculum and a more experienced nurse as apparently I have a long cervix (I know, TMI!)

It was the first one I'd had since having my DS, they never used to hurt, so not sure if it's connected? Still, I got my all clear results back today, and I think a bit of pain is worth it for how lucky we are in this country to be offered regular smears.

AnyFucker · 13/05/2011 16:46

there is always a "pinching" feeling, as your cervix is scraped

it should be momentary though

if you are worked up or expecting it to be painful though, that will make it worse

smears are not nice, but very necessary Smile

Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 16:48

oh yes i aggree and would never miss one,i had breast cancer at 27 so am very cautious.Maybe it is the baby thing then or maybe we are just more sensitive to it after pg and birth.

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HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 16:48

I recently had one and I agree that the actual taking the sample bit was weird. I have no idea what what was used but there was almost an audible clicking sound as the scrape was done. Never known that before. Was that a brush do you think? Felt like something rotating, whereas in the past it was more like a rubbing sensation iykwim.

Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 16:49

I think you are right af,it went on far too long cos of my massive over reaction.Will make sure im well medicated next time,dh will have to transport me Grin

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HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 16:50

Also I wonder if it just depends on who does it and how experienced/gentle they are. I have had smears done with no discomfort whatsoever before. Some have been more uncomfortable than others though.

Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 16:51

yes half term,i am now having flashbacks of the clicking sound arrrgh,i knew it was different.

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HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 16:52

WTF is the clicking sound?!! I want to know! Never known that before and it sort of threw me a nd made it worse iykwim!

AnyFucker · 13/05/2011 16:53

I sympathise

I hope your nurse/GP is very sympathetic though, that can help

They don't actually bother me, and I have consented to be a "model" for people being trained to take smears

I used to have a dental phobia however, and was very, very silly about that back then Smile

HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 16:54

If it is any help I put my bum in the air too (got told to put it back on bed!) and yes I so felt stupid for doing so!

HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 16:56

Good god AF, you were not joking about the Glastonbury Free the flap demo were you?! Grin Well done you, you are very brave.

AnyFucker · 13/05/2011 16:58

HTH Grin

You have a good memory !

AnyFucker · 13/05/2011 16:58

hey, it's Glasto next month, it's not too late to set up a stall !

Dorje · 13/05/2011 17:01

Go and have it done when you're mid cycle - ovulating if possible, never mind what they say about having it after you've just had a period (they want to make sure that you're not pregnant) - as the cervix is lower and softer at this time, and you'll barely notice it.

HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 17:03

AF, I should not have reminded you!! I might need to psych myself up for another 12 months given that I managed to make a twat of my twat at a ruddy smear test, lol Grin. Hopefully next year........

Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 17:04

"free the flap?" good grief.
I just google the brush and my eyes are now watering,but it looks like a mascara brush with as pike on it,cant see any reason for clicking tho. You are right tho very unering especially as the speculum made the sound of a car jack too.
It was the nurse tho,i happened to have one done by a gynae once and it was painless Hmm

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AnyFucker · 13/05/2011 17:04

Ok, next year Smile

Grin at made a twat of my twat

Original poster
ledkr · 13/05/2011 17:06

Ah my twat is feeling a little foolish now too.
Af can you get me "a little something" from glasto,just for the next smear,you know.

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AnyFucker · 13/05/2011 17:06

ledkr, HTH and I had planned to make plaster casts of our flaps and set up a stall doing the same at Glasto

good idea, yes ?