First smear test booked - reassurance and tips welcome!

[Pariswhenitdrizzles]

Hi everyone,

Have name-changed (promise I'm not the user who posted about tea tree oim and smear testing!)

I've got my first smear test coming up soon. I've looked up details of smear tests on other sites and on here, and heard that smear tests done at sexual health clinics can apparently be less uncomfortable than ones done in GP surgeries. Because of this, I looked into having one done at a sexual health clinic if possible, but no clinics near me seem to do smear tests unfortunately (I'm based in south London).

I've now booked the smear test at a local GP surgery next week. I know there's been a ton of threads on here about smear tests but even so, being the scaredy-cat I am, I would really appreciate any tips or advice (or general reassurance!) before the test :)

Thanks everyone!

[shouldnthavesaid]

I've had dozens due to pelvic problems - best tip my lovely GP gave me was to breathe as if I'm blowing bubbles. Automatically helps me relax my very angry fanjo , and makes me laugh as well. I do find smears and examinations excruitiating to the point of hyperventilating/ gagging but controlling my breathing does help , as does concentrating on the alternative.

I usually get a glass of water after and take cocodamol before. In hospital they gave me a nice dose of morphine just before last time (long scan, swabs, and bimanual) and it was fab, as these things go, I was half asleep for the whole thing. The doctor kept waking me up to tell me things.

[summerfling]

A lot of people worry about smear tests or say they can't stand them.

Personally I'd have one every day if need be without a second thought!

Smear tests don't bother me!

[Usernamegone]

All the smears I had have been very quick at my GP surgery and in an out within minutes with no extras such as weighing or blood pressure. Wear a shirt then you feel a little more covered. I normally chat about random stuff like the weather to distract myself.

The last one I had done the nurse commented on my excellent pelvic floor

[Usernamegone]

Shirt not shirt!

[Usernamegone]

Skirt not shirt! Arrgghhh!

[Liverbird77]

Please try not to worry. The nurse will be lovely and professional and it will be over really quickly. It doesn't hurt. Try to relax and just remember that it's worth it for your peace of mind.

[mylittlephoney]

Use a tiny amount of lube in your vagina entrance. It will make a difference. Any higher up it interferes with the results. Good luck
Your better off having one than ignoring them.

[Pariswhenitdrizzles]

Thank you so much everyone! You've all really helped to put my mind at rest thank you all!

This is quite an awkward question (sorry!!) but a previous poster mentioned that using soaps or anything to keep the area clean before the smear might skew the test results a bit. This has got me wondering, just because normally I use soap to keep it clean and haven't had problems with this so far. Since reading the tea tree oil thread though, I'm now wondering whether I should be using soap 'up there', or whether it does actually 'self-clean'? Obviously, I do want to keep it clean and healthy, but does using soap when washing do more harm than good?

[MrsELM21]

DO NOT PUT SOAP 'UP THERE'

[IsangforLadyArcher]

Not so much my comfort but for the nurse, but I always book an appointment on my day off so I can have a bath and make sure I smell pleasant before I go (friend is a midwife and she has recounted many unpleasant stories) - doesn't affect me now but years ago I'd make sure it wasn't the time of the month too.

[Raggydolly3]

I had one that was agony and the nurse was horrid. I was so worked up about my next one and actually talked it over with the doctor who suggested a nurse. I was so worked up and she got me to relax and asked me to put fist in the small of my back. I never felt a thing.
I think some nurses/doctors should be banned from doing them and their is obviously a good and a bad way of doing it.

[RainbowPastel]

I have a hard to find cervix. The nurse usually has to do a bit of searching but it has never been painful. I have even had a smear when pregnant with my younger DC sitting on me facing me. The majority of women have no problem whatsoever.

[bananafish81]

I've had so much rummaging around in my cervix with endometrial biopsies, umpteen catheters into my uterus, a load of smears and recently a colposcopy and cervical biopsy - follow all the advice here about small speculums and deep breathing to try not to tense up, and you will be great

Cervical screening can save lives so well done you!!

For the love of god please don't try to clean up your vag. They are self cleaning! The delicate flora of the vagina can be easily disrupted and your natural secretions do the job just beautifully

You can however end up with BV if you disrupt the natural bacteria down there

Good luck!

[bananafish81]

(Although as I have a hypertonic pelvic floor due to a connective tissue disorder I did nearly break the speculum when I had an endometrial biopsy a few weeks ago The poor consultant was trying to wrestle the damn thing out. I explained I was having a flare up and he did say, gosh yes I did wonder! Even with my vag of steel it was still fine - just tell them it's your first time and keep breathing!)

[WhiskyChick]

It's over really quick, and although I find it a little uncomfortable it's really so quick I scold myself for getting so nervous about it. I wear a long top but always laugh as they give you a bit of paper to make you feel less exposed... while they fiddle with the fanjo

[Jenwen22]

I kept putting mine off after turning 25, till an (older) neighbore who had had cancer frog marched me down to the clinic herself. It was literally over in a few minutes. Best tip to do is make sure your relaxed otherwise its more uncomfortable when they put the thing in you to open you up for the swab. Youll be fine best of luck

[HerBluebiro]

Aridane because Virgins can get cervical cancer. And with an experienced nurse it is a breeze.