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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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 going

Can anyone reassure me?

OP posts:

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 09/02/2018 20:29

I've had annual or 6 monthly smears for the last 10 years, several colposcopy examinations, a cervical biopsy and 4 sweeps when my baby was overdue. They have all been excruciatingly painful except for 2. This appears to be wholly to do with my physical position. I have always been told to bring my feet to my bum and let my knees fall open. Agony. The midwife who did my painless and successful sweep had me lie on my side on my sofa with my knees drawn up. And my most recent smear was also totally painless. Diagram and link to other suggestions attached.
en.hesperian.org/hhg/A_Health_Handbook_for_Women_with_Disabilities:The_pelvic_exam#Positions_for_a_pelvic_exam

finnmcool · 09/02/2018 20:29

OP I had my first smear 25 years ago at my 6 week check after giving birth (I was a teenage mum) that was the most unpleasant one and it wasn't painful.
The subsequent smears have been fine, I breathe out when the speculum is inserted and again, when it is opened.
It might be an idea to bring a small towel or a squishy, beany type toy that you can fiddle with while it's being done.
I agree with PPs about making the nurse aware of your fears.
Well done for making the appointment, you can do this.

Lemontart25 · 09/02/2018 20:32

Never really had any discomfort with mine OP. Internala are very different so please don't worry.

Get checked you will probably wonder why you built it up so much once it's over. Half the time I don't even realise it's been done cos I am having a nice chat with the nurse!

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 09/02/2018 20:34

It isn't painful. It makes my stomach do somersaults though.

GeorgeTheHamster · 09/02/2018 20:35

Haven't read the thread because I don't want to.

If you tell them you are nervous and ask them to use the small speculum they will be understanding and it will be fine.

But go. It's important.

Dontbuymesocks · 09/02/2018 20:38

I delayed mine for years as I was so nervous. I finally got round to it last year and I felt such a fool for waiting so long - it was absolutely fine. I took a dose of Night Nurse before I went so I was less anxious (and this REALLY worked). I also echo previous posters who recommend breathing out as the speculum is inserted - this helps to prevent you tightening your muscles inadvertently.
Good luck!

icelolly99 · 09/02/2018 20:45

I just wish i could get an appointment; i called my surgery 2 weeks ago and they tool my number and said they'd call me back when they were able to start taking appointments! I told them I'd had 2 reminders and I was told "oh we don't sent those out, they come from NHS England who have no idea what we're dealing with". I haven't heard back yet and I have no idea what they're dealing with

Reala · 09/02/2018 20:45

I’ve had a few. It’s the embarrassment that’s the worst part, none of them have ever even slightly hurt.

At my first one I told the nurse I was really nervous and she was amazing! She brought out this plastic diagram thing to show me exactly what she would be doing etc.

I felt really silly afterwards for being so worried - but it’s totally normal - it’s never as bad as you think!

DreamyMcDreamy · 09/02/2018 20:45

I've been to all of mine, soon as the reminder letter comes through I make the appointment to get it over and done with.
Don't worry! Seriously. Just flop your legs open and relax.
Relaxation being the key, if you're relaxed, it's a couple of seconds to a minute of slight uncomfort but it's soon over with!
Then you can forget about it for a few years until the next one
I figure they've seen it all anyway, so meh. Lol

cakeflower · 09/02/2018 20:51

I just had mine done again this week. I don’t like the bit where they widen the speculum but I try to ‘relax’ down there and breathe deeply (while crying ow ow ow). The touching of the cervix is also uncomfortable. I’m trying to think what the uncomfortable feelings feel like. A feeling of ‘ew’, the physical equivalent of chalk squeaking on a blackboard..like touching the veins on your wrist. But it’s not very painful and it’s over within minutes. I don’t dread it.

kitkatsky · 09/02/2018 20:51

An internal during labour involved someone putting a whole hand inside you while you have a contraction. A smear involves someone putting a penis sized instrument inside you and scraping your cervix. The scraping is a tiny bit ouch but doable- wear a pad as you might bleed a tiny bit, but honestly it’s not that bad. Def better than cancer treatment

FlowerPotMum · 09/02/2018 21:00

I take a couple of paracetamol beforehand. Explain to the nurse that you're nervous and wear a skirt or a long cardi that can be pulled over you. They'll give you a sheet to cover yourself with. It's uncomfortable, but not the same pain as an internal. It's over in minutes. I always have to ball my fists under my bum to get my cervix to make an appearance. Coffee and cake after. Do it OP xx

ItWentDownMyHeartHole · 09/02/2018 21:01

I really sympathise. I found internals during my first pregnancy unbearably painful. Had three days of them with sweeps being induced and throughout my cervix remained very posterior. The bastard. Also had to have an ECS. Smear tests have always hurt and I’ve been dodging the summons for this year’s for four months. Last time I went it took two nurses and three goes. JohnLapsley I’m going to try the on your side position. I have a feeling that might work.
Good luck OP. I’m going to book myself in also x

Sparklesocks · 09/02/2018 21:07

If it helps, I found the appointments I booked later in the day were better than very first thing in the morning - sorry to be graphic but I think having only just woken up neither had my vagina and it was quite uncomfortable - but the later one, when I’d been out and about beforehand and nature had done it’s natural ‘secretions’, meant it was a bit easier as things moved easier if you see what im saying.

4yearsnosleep · 09/02/2018 21:09

I've had them since I was 14. All fine until my daughter broke my vagina 4.5years ago. Now a combination of the scar tissue and pelvic floor muscle spasms leave me laid up for 2 adays. I'm currently recovering from my 3rd perineum repair I did request whilst I was under. But despite the insane pain I NOW feel (painless before) I still have it yearly after a colposcopy 6 years ago. I'm an avid supporter of smears from when a woman becomes sexually active. I worked on an ambulance in the USA for 3 years and saw a lot of shit. Nothing had me sobbing like the 30 year old that stank of death when I transported her to hospital with her 2 & 3 year old daughters where she died 12 hours later. Her upper body looked like a victim of of starvation and her lower body was full of fluid. I sobbed for hours afterwards and swore I would never shirk a smear test. She didn't have comprehensive insurance cover, so her policy didn't cover her for 'preventative medicine ' so she found out when we were stage 4.

To anyone that is worried about a smear test; it's 5 minutes of discomfort that WILL save your life. Fuck embarrassment; take advantage of the amazing preventive healthcare that you have access to.

Twofurrycats · 09/02/2018 21:16

I can't remember how many I've had but it is towards double figures. I have never once found it painful. I do remember being pleased when they changed to plastic from metal speculums though. Those were cold!

Sprinklestar · 09/02/2018 21:19

I found the ones I had in the UK of varying quality, some comfortable, some not. The university nurse was particularly bad...

I now live in the US and my OB/GYN does them. The technique here seems different, bottom scooted to the end of the bed, feet in stirrups. Literally no discomfort at all.

StylishDuck · 09/02/2018 22:21

I find internal exams excruciating when in labour. I don't find smears painful at all, just a little uncomfortable for the briefest period of time.

steff13 · 09/02/2018 22:28

I now live in the US and my OB/GYN does them. The technique here seems different, bottom scooted to the end of the bed, feet in stirrups. Literally no discomfort at all.

I'm in the US too; I had no idea they didn't do it the same way in the UK. I always challenge myself to see if I can scoot my bottom far enough down that the doctor won't ask me to move farther down when he comes in.

user1499722317 · 09/02/2018 22:50

Have had regular smear tests since I was 21. I am 65 so must have had quite a few. Never really felt them that much. My last one ever was last year and it was uncomfortable due to post menopausal dryness. You won't have that problem OP!

StrawberrySquash · 09/02/2018 22:55

I've had half a dozen and they are fine. The speculum hurts a bit but only in a minor way for a short time, more like discomfort.
Practice breathing techniques to give you something to focus on and keep your muscles relaxed. I do 4 breaths in, hold for 7 and breathe out for 8, feeling the tension being breathed out.

Mrsjellybum · 10/02/2018 06:47

As a nurse this is a daily part of my day

Tell them your concerns before hand and explain why you are scared

Tell them it's you first smear.

Take some paracetamol and hour before hand.

When you lie in the couch and raise your knees quickly lift your bottom of the cough and sit on the small of your back. Like your pushing the small of your back into the cough. Then relax down as normal. This ensures you don't "squash" the cervix out of view and it should pop up easier.

Ask them to pause for a few seconds once the speculum is in before opening it up. It will help you relax.

Good luck.

runawaywithme07 · 10/02/2018 07:04

I had my first one last year, at 29. I can't even remember what it felt like really. It was just over and done with in a few seconds, and I remember being really surprised because I had no pain at all. It was a slightly odd feeling, but it was no more uncomfortable than inserting a tampon. So don't take for granted that it's going to hurt to some extent or another, because it doesn't for everyone.

BusyBeez99 · 10/02/2018 07:50

I've had loads and every single one was a drama with my crying and it hurt so much. Last time I asked if I could put the plastic thing in myself. What a difference. I was all relaxed and ready for her and it was a quick process.

Please go. I wouldn't be here if I hadn't.......

Longdistance · 10/02/2018 08:01

Make sure you wash your feet. My nurse friend used to do smears, and it was the smelly feet of the patients that got her.

It literally lasts 30 seconds to a minute depending on how fast the nurse is sweeping.

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