to think this shouldn't happen following a smear test

[YBR]

Basically since my smear test I've been weeing myself . It's when I sneeze and sometimes just can't get to the loo quick enough. It seems the process has wrecked my Pelvic floor.
My DD is nearly a year old and since her birth [and a saga following episiotomy stitches unraveling] I'd managed to get control back IYSWIM but this has taken it back to square one.

Is this normal? I don't recall it happening following previous smears.

I hate smears and recently had to have a repeat one. The nurse was lovely. The speculum was plastic and I'm sure they have shrunk over the years (NO bucket fanjo jokes pls!). They use a brush type thing to collect the cells and the whole thing is over soooo quickly.
I watched the reality show about Jade Goody's cancer. I'd rather have any number of smears.
Wishing you all good health.

All booked for next Monday :)

Lougle my limited understanding is that the cells mutate in the cervix to begin with and can then spread if left untreated iyswim.

When I had my radical hysterectomy they removed my cervix and tissue either side womb, Fallopian tubes and the top of my vagina The tissue was then tested to determine if I needed radiotherapy (I didn't) So once cancerous cells have been detected they don't take any chances, it's all whipped out!

McChristmasPants2012 I am booked for next Monday too!!!!!!

Lougle the HPV virus that causes over 99% of cervical cancer starts by attacking the transformation zone at the entrance to the cervix. It has a different texture to the rest of the cervix and is vulnerable to the virus. If you purse your mouth, then it would be akin to your lips, which are not quite the same as either the skin inside or outside your mouth, iyswim. So they should be able to get to this area on a standard smear test. The brushes most places use now are sort of w shaped and go up in the middle, so they go slightly into the cervix (for people like me whose transformation zone hides up inside).

Well done to those that have booked!

I don't even feel it when they do mine, it's very quick, just relax and it'll be over in moments.

i had one once where they didnt wind the car jack speculum back down before removing, hurt like fuck!

Ahhh thank you :) I had my smear two weeks ago when I had the mirena coil fitted. The mirena was grim, due to the doc's manner, but the smear was a doddle.

Well done those who have booked to go!

My first smear at the age of 20 showed changes so I had a loop excision then yearly smears for 5 years. The final smear of the 5 had changes again so LLETZ then another 5. I have now graduated to 3 yearly.

Please go. I ask for the practise nurse and although it is a bit uncomfortable, it is over quickly and loads better with the plastic speculums!

I have just had a smear after a LONG delay. I hated every second, but I feel better now...

I feel shattered and tender afterwards - probably the effort and stress!

YBR I have been using pelvic floor weights. If you rule out other factors, and it's still a problem, I can recommend giving them a go. Fwiw, my weak pelvic floor only became apparent a few years after giving birth.

I'm booked in for friday at 9.30 am with the nurse. really scared, but I will not cancel. it needs to be done.
well done to the others that have also booked. just need to get to the appointments and get through them now!

Ooh addicted, you go first! Will you come back and report?

puds hello! You there?! So when's your appointment??

McChristmasPants2012 before my last smear, I had a letter that asked if I would refrain from sex for 48 hours before the test as any semen in there can affect the smear. I can't remember if it mentioned using condoms.

The test can't be done when you're bleeding. The receptionists at my practice always ask when the middle of my cycle is and try to time it as closely as possible. Not sure if this is for an important reason or just the way they do it.

smooth I will report back!

I went in to the dr sugery to pick up a perscription for dd2 and thought I'd book the appointment at teh same time she tried to give a one at 4.30 TODAY! I politely declined saying it was all happening too quick and I needed time, so she booked me in on friday [nervous] it'll be fine I'm sure.

I rang my GP and they tried to give me an appointment for Friday but I felt that was too soon! Monday for me it is...

Well done to you both for making your appointments. Tell the person doing the smear that you are feeling very nervous (you don't need to say why) and they'll take extra care to do things carefully and sensitively.

Ladies WELL DONE WELL DONE WELL DONE on booking these important appointments! I am so pleased for you all!! And it will be fine .

OP, I hope that you go back to your GP if your pelvic floor is still misbehaving. Sorry that your thread got highjacked but all in a good cause!!

Hay!
Stop saying it's painless and over in seconds. It's not like that for everyone.
It took a (relatively) long time, which felt sooo much longer, for this GP to get at the right place, She kept telling me to wriggle and was shaking that torture instrument inside me. The speculum made me bleed. Now I get the impression I'm not a very convenient shape and the whole process should be much easier for most women, but ...
When it's (relatively) fine for you, or you've had worse procedures done, please remember there are others for whom it is painful and traumatic. Don't knock their experiences.

Tbh I'd rather that than cancer - and I am an odd shape too so takes a bit of time to find my cervix. And I bleed for a week after. It still only takes a very short amount of time compared to cancer treatment, no one is knocking anyone's experience and tbh OP what you are saying could well put people off having a life saving procedure.

I think there is a line between giving people the worst case and telling them it is 'nothing'.

It doesn't feel like nothing to me, both emotionally and physically, but with expert help I manage to get through the process.

But you did it right humphrey because it's a necessary evil, and sometimes we just have to grit our teeth and with support we do it - because the alternative is awful.

I know it's not comfortable but I've had cervical cancer, that was no walk in park!

At the age of 31 with very young children I got told I had cancer, not knowing at that stage if I would live or die. Then I had to spend a week in hospital and many months recovering from major surgery, not to mention the emotional scars which have taken years to heal.

And yes, since then I've had some very painful experiences during smears which I still had to have until recently!

But I'm still here! No amount of pain and discomfort can take away on the hard reality that cervical cancer kills!

I'm sorry if I come across as snotty but cervical cancer is some people's reality and its not something I would wish on anyone. I know smears are not a walk in the park for everyone, I really do, but by god, being told you have cancer and wondering whether you will see your children grow up is not preferable!

My cervix is tilted and can be hard to find. Sometimes it's a breeze, other times, I've ended up with my arse hanging over the side of the couch in desperate search of it.

Sometimes, it's painless, sometimes it hurts a bit.

Even in the worst case scenario it's better than cervical cancer!

It can hurt but it doesn't always hurt in my experience.

Are you trying to put people off op?

This thread reminds me to stop ignoring that letter from the doctors saying my smear is due....

Will phone tomorrow for an appointment (and I really should know better, having had loop diathermy for abnormal cells 15 years ago....)