to come here and overshare by telling you all that today I ...

[crapcrapcrapcrap]

... had my smear test and it was NOT THAT BAD and took just a moment - truly it was over in a flash.

Do it ladies :)

I had my reminder through the door the other day for my first smear test after putting it off for a year. I'm fucking bricking it. When I had my sweep at five days overdue with DD, it was excruciating, and I've been told it feels the same...

Reading all these positive experiences has made it sound a bit less terrifying.

I dread going, but it's not that bad actually having it done. The thought is worse! I felt nothing with my first smear; my most recent felt like very mild period pain (for just a second!).

When I had my sweep at five days overdue with DD, it was excruciating, and I've been told it feels the same...

No it doesn't feel the same. A smear is a tickle with a brush. A sweep involves the midwife being much more forceful. I had to deep breathe through sweeps but never through a smear.

OMG no it's not the same as a sweep! You may or may not even feel it. They're just collecting cells, which is done by sort of wiping the cotton bud thing on your cervix. They don't need to apply pressure or poke or anything drastic.

I wrote a blog about it actually. because its such a zmassively important thing to do! it'd somethinksthingsandothers.WordPress.com if you want to read it, or share it on Feb/twitter to help me encourage more girls and women to have it done.

I've had to have smear tests every year since I was 19.. I'm almost 35.

They are not bad at all.

My GP sent me for an ultrasound scan to check my ovaries, after some symptoms of pain. I'd had smear tests up until I was no longer offered them free, so although I thought it was a bit daft, I try always be guided by the medics as they usually know what they're talking about. The lady who scanned me said, "There are your ovaries, and they're completely withered!" A bit blunt, but there you are. She said ovarian cancer is now on the increase and never to refuse an option to get scanned or checked out for any gynae thing. So, withered ovaries or not, it was good to be given the all clear.