Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to have a smear test?

61 replies

bubalou · 22/08/2012 09:27

Before some of you pounce - I am fully aware of the medical reasons behind having them done.

I'm not deiberating over whether to have 1 or not - I will and I know that I have to - but have heard some horror stories and am scared.

I'm 26 and know I need to have 1. Am I worrying over nothing? Sad

OP posts:
TheCraicDealer · 22/08/2012 10:26

The first one I ever had at 19 was a teeny bit uncomfortable, but I think this was due to me being nervous about a mean nurse looking at my foof (she was nasty- she had a go at me for going saying I was "too young". Frig off, love).

The second time I went I was expecting it to be the same, but that nurse had the whole thing over with in 15 seconds, I kid you not. They spend their whole careers looking at fannies; you'll be alright. Various true life stories in Cosmo et al about young women being given terminal prognosis's before their lives even start have made me book smears as soon as I get the letter.

KenLeeeeeee · 22/08/2012 10:26

I know how you feel. I don't want to go either, but I keep telling myself that a) a smear is preferable to treatment for a problem that could have been detected earlier and b) it can't possibly be as bad (in terms of pain and loss of dignity) as the stretch and sweep I had when pregnant!!

fuzzpig · 22/08/2012 10:30

I had mine this morning! I was terrified (I was abused as a child and can't stand any gynae procedures) and put it off for ages. I went to the doctor in advance and cried at him and got 2mg diazepam tablets - I took one last night and another two this morning. I'd also told the nurse in advance that I was really scared and she was lovely about it.

The diazepam helped because I was too tired to tense up so even though I will not be so scared next time I think I'll still ask for the tablets again.

Lolalollipop · 22/08/2012 10:33

I felt the same, and to make things worse I have a tilted cervix which makes things difficult. This said, I still don't find them painful so honestly don't worry.

nickelcognito · 22/08/2012 10:34

you're best to go either a week after period or a week before.

it almost has to be timed to the second Hmm due to stuff happening in your cervix.

YANBU
but it's not as horrid as it used to be. they use a brush rather than a scraper now, and you can barely feel it.

if you're scared, ask them to use a smaller clamp and tell them you're scared. if the nurse fobs you off and treats you like a naughty child, tell her she's not helping (i used to have a very horrid nurse who once made me cry when i went for a pill prescription.Angry)
you can ask for someone else to do it.

my current nurse is just lovely :)

FushiaFernica · 22/08/2012 10:35

They are less brutal than they used to be now they use a plastic speculum, easier than going to the dentist by a mile. I wish they let women have them at an earlier age.

inchoccyheaven · 22/08/2012 10:38

You will be fine, I was literally in and out in a few mins, no pain and forgotten about a few hours later. They will ask you for date of last period as someone else said.

pumpkinsweetie · 22/08/2012 10:41

It really isn't that bad honestly. They ask you to lay on the bed obviously with no bottom half on and ask you to relax with your feet together, legs apart. Then they gently insert a plastic specultrum whick they will open up to get the sample.
Its unpleasant yes, but painful no.

It really is important that you have a smear as cervical cancer goes unoticed until the symptoms arise, by which time it is too late.

Trust me going to the dentists and having a root canal is a lot, lot worse

IsSamNormansDad · 22/08/2012 10:47

It's not my most fun thing to do, but plead go! At my last smear in November, severe changes were detected, I was treated in January and now have to have them every 6 months for at least 3 years. Luckily the dr was able to take all the bad cells away - if I'd left it longer, who knows.
It could save your life Smile

Davsmum · 22/08/2012 10:48

When I had an abnormal smear I had to have a colcoscopy. They stain your cervix and then take biopsies - they took 5 from me ! That was uncomfortable because you can feel a snip each time- but even that was not bad.
I then had to have a hysteroscopy where they have to go through your cervix and look inside your uterus with a camera,.. I thought they would put me to sleep,..but No,.. they don't!
I must admit I did take a mild sedative before that but it was not bad at all.

It was worth it all to find out that in the end, there was nothing wrong.
Maybe thats why now I don't think smears are anything to worry about!

fuzzpig · 22/08/2012 10:51

I was really surprised about the timing issue. Part of the reason I delayed it was because I thought it had to be at a particular time in my cycle, and the hassle with work (because of the diazepam I would need a whole day off) but then when I finally booked (as I'm off sick anyway) the receptionist said any time is fine as long as you aren't bleeding. They asked for my LMP anyway. I guess it depends on the PCT.

TerracottaPie · 22/08/2012 10:51

^^What they all said.

I would add as well that the nurses are usually very good at doing what they need to do whilst distracting you from it and without making you feel too embarrassed.

Don't forget that they have to have them too!

fuzzpig · 22/08/2012 10:53

Mine was under 90mins ago and I honestly don't feel anything.

I feel a bit sticky so I am glad that before I went I put a panty liner thing in my knickers.

TerracottaPie · 22/08/2012 10:56

Anone remember having the nurse 'warm' up the metal speculums before using it? Hmm The plastic ones used now make the process much less uncomfortable.

helenthemadex · 22/08/2012 11:03

nobody likes having them but it is such a quick process for something that could save your life

Original poster
bubalou · 22/08/2012 11:06

Thank you all - I have just phoned up and booked my appointment - that's 1 part out of the way.

The only thing is that it is that it's with a nurse I don't like.

I have seen her before when DS had his jabs, she was very short and uncaring. After DS was born I went back on the pill - I have been on the pill for years before TTC not always for contraceptive but I found it helped with my periods etc.

Anyway I had to see her for a problem with my eye - I had 2 small cysts and needed some special eye drops. I had stopped the pill by this time as they made me feel rubbish and periods were a little better so we just used condoms instead.

DS was with me - he was about 1 at this point. She asked - completely unrelated to what I was there for - are you using contraceptives? I said what has that got to do with my eye. Nothing she said, I was just looking at you records on the screen and it says you are on the pill. I told her that I wasn't anymore - she looked at me and then at DS and said 'are you TTC again'. No I said, we are using condoms. Hmm was her reply. That was it.

I might call up and try and get an appointment with someone else.

OP posts:
marge2 · 22/08/2012 11:08

They're OK. Not great - slightly embarrasing. Nothing to worry about though. Our practice nurse does them. She is quite funny. She acknowledges the embarrasment factor and makes all kinds of quips to put you at your ease. Tip - relax! It makes it much more comfy!

FushiaFernica · 22/08/2012 11:10

I would make that call to change nurses if possible, might make you dread it less.

fuzzpig · 22/08/2012 11:14

Yes, change nurses. The right (or wrong) HCP makes the world of difference. My first smear was with an evil bitch of a doctor who made me feel like shit for being scared so it's no wonder I hated it!

fuzzpig · 22/08/2012 11:23

There was no question of me avoiding it altogether but I'm really glad I have done it now. I'm proud of myself for biting the bullet :)

My colleague was very sympathetic when I mentioned it to her months ago - but she was very insistent that I book it. She kept getting abnormal smears and eventually had a hysterectomy in her late 30s (thankfully after she had children) - she is fine now but it is scary to think how different it would be if she hadn't had smear tests.

nannyl · 22/08/2012 11:32

just back from mine

having the "thing" inserted was a little uncomfortable..... but i honestly didnt feel the actual smear at all. I actually did not even know that she had done it.

She was also very impressed by my pelvic floor, which made me smile as i gave birth 11 months ago!

11DD sat in her buggy, eating a rice cake watching

nannyl · 22/08/2012 11:32

*11m DD

redexpat · 22/08/2012 14:02

Change nurses. There is usually someone at each surgery who has a knack and can just do them with you barely noticing. Ask the receptionist who is best.

honeytea · 22/08/2012 14:47

I'd ask to change nurses, if you can't just try to keep conversation dull.

I have had 1 smear at 25 and it was fine, they want you to do in the middle of your cycle becuase your cervix is lower at that stage (dips down to catch the sperm.)

keep your hands by your side if you are worried about the tightness, the nurse had a slight issue getting the thing in, she said me having my hands above my head was making it all tighter down there.

good luck!

fuzzpig · 22/08/2012 14:55

I was told by the nurse today to stand up and wiggle my hips for a bit before lying on the couch - centres the cervix or something and makes it easier to access. That was more embarrassing than the actual smear test. Still, not going to complain if it helped!

Swipe left for the next trending thread