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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your experiences of a smear?

75 replies

PumpkinPie2016 · 09/02/2018 19:43

Sorry, I know it's a bit personal! I am 31 and I have never had a smear test - had many invitations but never been. When I had my son, I found internal examinations excruitiating - not just a bit uncomfortable, I mean excrutiating even with gas and air. He was born by c-section eventually so I haven't given birth naturally.

After my experience during labour 4 years ago, I haven't had a smear due to being terrified of it being as painful.

However, I have made an appointment for next week and I am so worried. I can't take ibuprofen due to an allergy so can't take that before hand.

I'm honestly petrified of goingBlush

Can anyone reassure me?

OP posts:
gybegirl · 09/02/2018 19:57

My last one was a routine, normal, 5 minute, not horrid at all affair, surprisingly (understatement) followed by...
a diagnosis of stage 1 cervical cancer, radical hysterectomy and an excellent prognosis.
GO, but explain you are nervous and they will be extremely understanding.

noeffingidea · 09/02/2018 19:58

Only had 3 (I think), can't even remember the first 2. When I had the last one I couldn't even feel when she took the sample. Obviously I could feel the speculum but it wasn't painful, or even uncomfortable.

Latenightreader · 09/02/2018 19:59

My first smear was painful until the nurse switched to an extra small speculum, and since then they have been swift and pain free. Well done for making the booking. Plan a treat for afterwards, even if it is just a cake to eat when you get home!

Luckycatsplat · 09/02/2018 20:01

Get yourself there! :)
A lot depends on the nurse. I've had some that have been fine but others that have hurt or have been unpleasant.
Ultimately it's 10 mins every 3 years and infinately better than cancer.
I'm not belittling your experience, I'm really not but it really is nothing. X

Luckycatsplat · 09/02/2018 20:02

*the smear is nothing.

Speakeasy22 · 09/02/2018 20:02

Have had many smears and my tip (if it's uncomfortable) is to roll up a pillow and put it underneath you. Helps if the womb is tilted. Every time I've had one the nurse has expressed surprise at this brilliant idea...

Hassled · 09/02/2018 20:02

Yes, much less painful and faffy and horrible than cervical cancer treatment is. That's what you need to keep telling yourself.

In my experience (I'm in my 50s, and have had some issues which for a few years meant a smear every 6 months, so that's a lot of smear tests) it varies hugely - some nurses are way more expert at it than others. I don't know if it's a confidence thing - some are in and out before you really know they've started, and sometimes it takes a while and hurts in a stingy sort of way. Over the years though, I've come across far fewer less-good nurses - maybe the training has improved.

SundaySalon · 09/02/2018 20:03

Glad you booked OP!! Smile

Giraffey1 · 09/02/2018 20:06

It’s brilliant you’ve booked an appointment. Please do go, tell the nurse you’re nervous - lots of people feel the same way. I always hate going but for me, the thinking about it beforehand is far worse than the actual thing!

Trinity66 · 09/02/2018 20:07

The worst part for me is the embarrassment, it doesn't hurt, just a bit uncomfortable

Ihatemarmite123 · 09/02/2018 20:07

No one likes them, they're used to people being embarrassed. Tell the nurse, she'll understand and you'll be so relieved when it's done.

I've had 4, they're slightly uncomfortable but over very quickly

Cockmagic · 09/02/2018 20:07

Please have one.

I had my first at 24, I needed a colposcopy a week later. God knows what it would of been like if I waited til I was your age.

Please don't put it off.

Luckycatsplat · 09/02/2018 20:07

As for the process. You take off your knickers and lie down. They might give you some paper towels to cover yourself. You lift your knees up together then they ask you to drop your knees to the side. They might ask you to put your hands under your bum to lift you up so they can see better.
Then they put the spectum in.
They might have to take a couple of swabs.
Then it's done.
And you go to a nice cafe and eat cake as a reward. :)

couchparsnip · 09/02/2018 20:14

Tell them you have vaginismus. They'll have heard of it and will use the smallest instrument.

ruleshelpcontrolthefun · 09/02/2018 20:14

I've had 6 and they were all fine. Not pleasant, but fine. Nothing compared to the internal you get during labour. Have a glass of wine and relax as much as you can. It is far more comfortable if you relax.

ivykaty44 · 09/02/2018 20:14

Really not even uncomfortable, never felt a thing...

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 09/02/2018 20:17

I've had them since I was 18 as I have friable (sp?) tissue and had to get bleeding checked, so had 2 pre call up at 25. It's honestly not that bad and quite quick. Wear a dress or a skirt as you can usually keep it more round your middle and feel less naked on the table!

I'm scared of mammograms though, so completely appreciate your aprehension.

skittycat · 09/02/2018 20:18

Had one on Monday - just felt like period pains to me. It’s the fourth one I’ve had and they’ve all been pretty straight forward tbh.

ManagedTeaCups · 09/02/2018 20:19

It’s slightly uncomfortably and awkward but could save your life so well worth doing. Honestly I’m a wimp and had one done couple weeks ago it was fine- although more awkward than normal as the nurse was a friend of a friend 🙈

mikesh909 · 09/02/2018 20:21

I was the same as you. Just never got it together to go, despite the letters. After my DD was born, I figured if I can deal with childbirth, I can deal with a smear test. It was honestly, honestly fine. Took 30 seconds. I think it's the fear of the unknown more than anything else. I felt the same about blood tests in my first pregnancy, as I'd never had one of those before either. Reading about or imagining the event was so much worse than the reality in both cases. Be brave and go! You'll be glad you did.

coffeeforone · 09/02/2018 20:21

Not at all like an internal when pregnant which I definitely agree can be excruciating. I don’t find them painful. First time I couldn’t relax but it still wasn’t painful - very mild discomfort. Subsequent ones even less discomfort- hardly felt anything.

curcur · 09/02/2018 20:22

I get referred to the hospital for a smear due to it being very high. It’s much easier as they have the leg rest things and do you’re positioned better.

Previously, it felt like they were trying to pull something out of me. So, talk to the doctor before and consider a referral if the cervix is in an awkward position as then it is much smoother and easier procedure.

Iloveacurry · 09/02/2018 20:23

Please please go. It doesn’t hurt. I had one yesterday, it was fine. But please just go.

KTCluck · 09/02/2018 20:25

I found being examined in labour excruciating too OP, also needed gas and air and also ended in an EMCS. I've had 4 smears and found 1 slightly uncomfortable, the other 3 (including 1 after DD was born) absolutely fine. It's a completely different feeling. It's absolutely worth 5 minutes of embarrassment and possible discomfort. A friend of mine was discovered to have cancer following her smear. No symptoms and it was caught early so she's made a full recovery. Dread to think how things might have been if she'd put it off

ivykaty44 · 09/02/2018 20:26

Luckycatsplat- they don’t seem to do the knees thing any more at my gp- they do it slightly different and knees stay up feet apart and it’s much better