To think gas and air should be made available for smear tests?

[Strawberrytallcake]

or do I just need to man up?

Another retroverted cervix here, and it is also at a weird angle apparently. There's a face HCPs have when they look at my cervix - like they are psyching themselves up to do battle. It takes ages and hurts, hurts, hurts, I just cry all the way through. But G&A made me puke so that I don't think that would improve matters. Perhaps rohypnol so I forget how awful it is and then I wouldn't procrastinate about booking the next one?

Pethadine is what you need-so dreamy.

Seriously though I am very shocked about people getting a cold metal speculum. Even when I had my first smear in 1989 the nurse had a flask of warm water to warm them up with.

A speculum got stuck in me one time because my muscles clamped round it as it was cold and I was nervous. The nurse pulled and pulled and couldn't get it out again

The mascara wands - I remember a wooden stick when I first started having them 15 years ago but can't remember when they started using the little brushy things?

I find this thread so sad - I had never realised how awful smears are for some women. I'd never really understood why people didn't attend but now I do. It really seems as if pain relief should be available for those who need it.

So its like a scrapey type of swab then? Well why cant i just do that at home and send it in myself then?!

"Perhaps rohypnol so I forget how awful it is"

This is the only thing that would make me go!

God, this thread is reminding me that I have to go soon. Definitely going to try and use my natal hypnotherapy techniques...

I'd say yes to that. I've only had one smear test, at my 6wk check after DC1. It was fucking awful. And not helped by the fact the (female) Dr said "what's all the fuss about, you just gave birth" - well, birth didn't involve a giant metal duck-beak thing up my fanjo, and the body prepares itself for birth with hormones etc, a smear test is different.

All interventions were a nightmare for me, I was induced both times, I spent a lot of time in tears. I was only able to relax for internals once i was in labour properly as I was in pain anyway and didn't care. Lots of people find it ok, but I don't, I find it really traumatic. I just had a letter asking me to book my first routine smear (I'm nearly 25) and I am terrified. Actually want to cry just thinking about it.

I don't know why I can't cope with them. Birth was fine, other medical stuff is fine. DS was nearly 12lbs FFS you'd think I'd be able to handle something so routine.

It'd be easy to blame it on sexual abuse but (a) the abuse wasn't penetrative and (b) I have no problem with sex. I'm just a freak it seems :(

Man up!!generally it isn't painful....although I know there are exceptions.

Less invasive than the treatment for cervical cancer though....and you still have to have smears as well as all the other hideous stuff that gets done to you

Gas and air made the room spin anyway

BabyDubs- you can't do it yourself because there is quite a skill to getting the right cells apparently, and not, arm, too much other stuff (especially blood traces). Do think about going though, it is important and you'll more than likely be one of the people who find it fine.

If they gave you G&A for smear tests I'd have one every week

Never found them that bad tbh, uncomfortable sure, but over in seconds, unlike childbirth!

well, I hope you would go, because cervical cancer kills a lot of women.

Don't know why you have to go in, maybe it's because it's not easy to find and scrape your own cervix, perhaps contamination? maybe lead to a lot of swabs without cervical cells on them? no idea.

becstarsky ask for a long speculum, it's not wider just longer and it saves all that agonising prodding! It only takes about 30 seconds with one....seriously it makes a real difference!

erm, not arm. Bloody autocorrect on this computer. Second time I've done that in a post this week.

I only find them uncomfortable if I tense up. I have to make myself relax (think the reverse of pelvic floor exercises) but if I do, it's absolutely fine. The speculum can be a bit uncomfortable but the actual cell collection just feels sort of tickly/scratchy. Not painful at all. The last couple I have been chatting to the nurse throughout and it has all been over in about 30 seconds.

I had to get over the tense up thing cos as a young woman I used to do that during sex and it made it incredibly painful. So I learned to be able to make myself relax those muscles when I wanted to tense them. I use the same process in the surgery!

Oooo yes please, I love gas and air!
Love your idea Poppadum Peach - only thing is they might have trouble getting me to leave the waiting room

And now I think about it - the nurse frequently complains that there is a lot of mucous around my cervix! If you have to go mid cycle, what do they expect?!

My samples are often contaminated with CM or blood - one smear test had me bleeding for days afterwards I hate them.

I agree, may as well make it fun (although mine, after I actually went, was only slightly uncomfortable).

You should also get gas and air for having a very contrary four year old.

PontyMython I was really scared about my first smear too (am 25) but I told the nurse how I was feeling and she was lovely. Made feel relaxed, gave me time and agreed to use the smaller size speculum (she would have used medium as I've had a baby). It wasn't exactly pleasant but it was fine :)

YANBU.
As a woman who has always feared them (not sure why) I made myself go and have my first ever this year (after 4th degree tear and I was petrified)! no it wasn't painful, it was the fear of the whole thing that put me off.
The nurse offered me the option to do it myself (insertion) and I did. It really helped.

btw, agree with eurochick, you have to make those muscles relax

Doyouthinktheysaurus - yes I know and that's why I feel very unreasonable but if something can be made easier for everyone then surely it should be? Regardless of what happens after.

My mum has been through much much more too so I totally understand what you're saying. I can't help still being scared though, maybe it goes back to you only know how difficult things are compared to how much you have suffered difficulties personally.

I am glad people agree and it has definitely helped talking and reading (even the speculum getting stuck ones) I am going to man up because I have a dd and I'm doing it because I want to stick around for her and that's what I'll think about.

Ponty, that is awfu.l Poor you. I totally understand you and I have had my first this year. I am early 30s!

Mine have always hurt but only recently did I find out it was because I have a tilted uterus... Who knew?

The nurse at my first smear was horrid to me, she couldn't understand why I was so scared and nervous. She was so scathing and unkind to me in my area where I grew up they started before age 21 at the time. I "think" from memory I was 17

It should be made available Full Stop. Lovely stuff

Though I imagine Friday night on here would be even more entertaining...