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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cancel my smear test today - do you go for yours?

266 replies

Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 09:02

I feel panicky and sweaty with fear at the thought. I have two days of hospital appointments this week and just don't think I can face another one today. It was due at the start of the year, so thinking about rescheduling in a couple of months.

I do have vaginismus which means penetration really fucking hurts unless I'm aroused and enthusiastic, which obviously is the complete opposite of feelings you have during a smear.

Do you go for yours bang on when it's due? Is it pathetic of me to cancel?

OP posts:
ProzacAndWine · 30/05/2018 11:19

Oh that's not helpful, is it?! Sorry it's not going well. It seems the nurse doesn't know the difference between vaginismus and vaginosis, which is quite poor for someone dealing with vaginas!

Still, well done going, and I hope the other nurse is better Flowers

SinisterBumFacedCat · 30/05/2018 11:22

Request a more experienced nurse, that makes a big difference.

Ask for the speculum.

During concentrate on wiggling your toes, an experienced gynaecologist recommended this to me and it always helps.

Remember it's only 30 seconds Flowers

SinisterBumFacedCat · 30/05/2018 11:22

plastic speculum

Moonkissedlegs · 30/05/2018 11:24

It does make a difference to have someone more experienced. When I got my coil taken out the strings were a bit short and the nurse couldn't do it. I was crapping it, thinking I was going to have to go to hospital to get it sorted. Luckily another more experienced nurse happened to be in the surgery, and eventually she was able to do it.

Original poster
Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 11:25

I think all speculums are plastic nowadays? In individual wrappers for hygiene.

OP posts:
allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 30/05/2018 11:31

Good luck OP. Well done for getting to the surgery. Hopefully all over soon.

Original poster
Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 11:34

Somebody mentioned cervical stenosis and now I'm worried about risks of the actual procedure - can that only happen if you're in labour?

OP posts:
AugustIsMyName · 30/05/2018 11:36

@Wheresmyappetite try not to worry about that. The chances of the procedure going to plan are significantly higher than the risks of it causing issues. They wouldn't do the procedure if it was high risk for complications.

Lulusmother · 30/05/2018 11:37

Don't cancel. It's a life saving thing. Think about lovely things... your family, a nice holiday or whatever. Us women are damn lucky we have these. Women die unnecessarily from not going. You CAN do this ! 😘

Original poster
Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 11:41

I'm freaking out now, why couldn't she see my cervix? What if that means I have something badly wrong? I have suspected endo already what if something has been missed out?

OP posts:
ReservoirDogs · 30/05/2018 11:42

Cancelling so late means the appointment cannot be given to someone else so will cost the NHS! So please don't. Also it is for your benefit however distressing you find it. Go and get it over with!

Kittykat93 · 30/05/2018 11:42

YABU. Would you rather risk finding out you have advanced cervical cancer? No one likes a smear but it's over in less than a minute and is not that painful if at all, although I do appreciate it won't be pleasant with your condition. Please go.

Moonkissedlegs · 30/05/2018 11:43

In all of my smear tests I have had to wriggle around, cough etc for them to see my cervix. In my aforementioned coil removal the first nurse couldn't even see my cervix.

If the nurse knows you are really anxious and have vaginismus (even if she doesn't know what it is!) she might have just thought 'right let's get someone else in' before even trying that hard?

DBoo · 30/05/2018 11:44

Op well done for turning up to your appointment you are doing great. Try not to panic. Wait until you see the nurse and discuss it with them for clarity.

I have had to have my cervix flipped before whatever that means. Its a strange area down there and unless anyone says any different i wouldnt worry. I hope the next nurse is aware of your condition and can get it over and done with quickly and as comfortably as possible.

ReservoirDogs · 30/05/2018 11:44

Sorry - lesson learned to RTFT

Original poster
Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 11:44

I'm at the fucking appointment being messed around by an uneducated nurse.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 11:44

X post

OP posts:
Moonkissedlegs · 30/05/2018 11:44

People need to read the thread before posting! Or at least the last few posts. The OP is there right now!

gabsdot · 30/05/2018 11:46

My last one was very painful. It's very dry in there and as an adoptive mother I've never given birth so it's all very tight, (this is what the nurse said)
I sympathise but you should go.

Giraffe31 · 30/05/2018 11:47

I also have vaginismus so I understand how much it hurts but I had mine in January and it helped to explain to the nurse. Please don't cancel it's so important, those few minutes of pain could save your life

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 30/05/2018 11:47

Jesus read the bloody thread people

Op someone I know has smears under general anaesthetic. Ask about this?

SinisterBumFacedCat · 30/05/2018 11:48

Experienced nurse makes all the difference! I remember struggling through a smear years ago with a very young inexperienced nurse who gave up. An older nurse came in and did it swiftly in 20 seconds, remarking that the problem had been the inexperienced nurse, not me.

Giraffe31 · 30/05/2018 11:49

Sorry- didn't read it. Don't flame me please!

PurpleDaisies · 30/05/2018 11:49

Op someone I know has smears under general anaesthetic. Ask about this?

Really? I can’t imagine that the risks of the anaesthetic are less than the risk of not having a smear test for the vast, vast majority of the population. Is that in the uk?

lamerde · 30/05/2018 11:49

I just feel like I need to point out that the pain is real and severe and it's really not just a matter of relaxing and getting into the right mindset. Yeah maybe the pain is worth the payoff but it doesn't help to pretend if I just put my big girl pants on and be sensible, it will be ok.

So cancel it then.....against everyone’s advice.