To be worried about my smear test in the morning?

[Fattygettingthin]

I'm going. Not going to cancel it's my first one, do they hurt? I've heard some horror stories!

Anyway I'm shitting it, I'm about 3 years overdue due to living abroad and just completely forgetting, have been resident in the uk now for 1 year and I've got a letter asking me to come in for one. I'm so nervous but will it hurt?

Doesn't hurt, at all! Really quick (takes a few seconds) and you'll forget you've had it done as soon as you leave the docs. I had one when I was 21 (Scotland) and had to have some cells removed - even that wasn't painful and potentially saved my life best of luck op. You'll be fine!

I find that is helps it I separate above-waist and below-waist.

No matter how I feel I make sure the above-waist relaxes the below-waist.

I've had them in three different countries and never had stirrups so wouldn't count that as gospel. Even so, no big deal.
For me it's always been "heels together, knees apart.

You will be glad you went. Mine have never been painful, uncomfortable maybe but not massively so. I just think about something else, stare at the ceiling for the few seconds it takes and then it's all over. Good luck!

It only hurts if you're not relaxed - keep your bum down on the table and don't clench!

No stirrups for me either. I've had about 5 smear tests and only had stirrups for a colposcopy.

Hi sorry just came to say, it can hurt a lot if you are a virgin, as I was. People kept telling me it wouldn’t hurt, so when it hurt like hell I was worried something was wrong. The nurse told me that if you have never had sex, it is normal to feel more pain and pressure than if you have, however, it was quick and over in a minute or so, so very bearable and worth it.

user you don't really need a smear test if you're a virgin. My sister has never had sex and was told she didn't need a smear test but of course if she desperately wanted one I'm sure they would do it for her. OP if you also happen to be a virgin maybe this is something you could discuss.

I've never had stirrups either - the only time I had stirrups was in a colposcopy. In a smear, I lie on the bed with the nurse to my right hand side and she kind of tucks my knee into her side!

Quite undignified but painless - if you tell them you're nervous they will usually start with the smallest speculum.

Can be a bit uncomfortable but don't hurt.

They are VITAL though, so good for you for going (albeit late)

I find them painful -just when they're getting the speculum into position I find the edges a bit sharp somehow (no one else seems to have this problem 🤷‍♀️). The actual sweeping of your cervix doesn't hurt at all, just feels a bit bizarre. Any pain is over as soon as it's done though and it's over quickly. And you can always ask her to stop if you're uncomfortable.

Cushion under your bum! Helps tilt the cervix up and makes it easier. I was told this for the first time this year and had my first totally painless smear!

I have always had stirrups and always done by a gynaecologist as live outside UK.
Have been given a small sheet to cover myself, but without was okay too. It's over really quickly, just focus on the ceiling tiles! The speculum looks a bit scary and it's a bit uncomfortable, but ime no pain.

Worried? It didn't even cross my mind to be worried about the smear test, it's just a quick swab and go. Now that I've got abnormal cells and need a colposcopy I am worried more...

IMO the only part that's painful is the speculum being opened up. To me, it feels like if you try and pull a tampon out that has almost no blood in it, it's sharp for a second. The actual smear, I've never felt. I've heard people say that it's uncomfortable, but then people told me a membrane sweep in pregnancy would be uncomfortable too, however I never felt that either.

I've had smears that hurt for a second, and ones that were uncomfortable, and the most recent one was totally totally painless. Actually, my first one was like that too. So it's not the two kids I've now had making the difference! The absolute worst one, I basically went "OW... oh, it's over". I get why people get nervous but it'll be fine and even worst case, MUCH better than the alternative.

I find the worst bit is the fear I'm going to fart in the medic's face . It's the slight pressure on your insides as the speculum (?) is opened up.

If I’m 100% honest I found it really embarrassing and awkward, but it was over really quickly and it’s a million times better than not knowing if there’s an issue.

My experience wasn’t made better by the nurse commenting on my bikini line

The doctor or nurse doing the test will be well accustomed to people being nervous; at one checkup, I grimaced when the GP said that was the next in the series of tests I was having. She smiled, said, "I don't blame you, it isn't fun!" but carried out the procedure causing as little discomfort as possible. I remind myself of a newly-married colleague who wanted a family; the test showed up some dodgy early changes, and she was devastated. But it was caught so early that the treatment was a really minor op, asked to wait a year before TTC, completely cleared up and she went on to have said babies! The prospect of a little treat to follow is a good one as well!

Well I've done it, :) felt a bit crampy afterwards but it's all right. I bled a bit during it but it's okay.

Well done Fatty! The first one’s the worst and now you don’t need another one for 3 years

Well done OP :)

Well done OP. I don't think anyone likes them and each one for me has been different as it does depend on who's doing it.

I recently had my first. It didn't hurt. Wasn't uncomfortable. Lasted 10 seconds and can potentially save your life. Don't worry about it! :)

Excellent! Well done! Have a nice day now.

Mine have always been ok except for the last two which were deeply unpleasant. The nurse did make me feel like a bit of a wimp last time but never mind - I probably am compared with what some people have to go through. I did the slow breaths thing though at her suggestion so she wasn't entirely unsympathetic.

One advantage of getting older is that they only do them every 5 years after 50. So only one left and then on the 5 year cycle! The 3 years come round with depressing regularity.