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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Do your smears hurt?

86 replies

Bostyrone · 26/06/2019 22:58

Mine couldn’t be completed today as my cervix was awol and after 4 goes she abandoned speculum and rebooked me in 2 weeks time. And it HURT. It was this morning and I’m still uncomfortable.

And what if they can’t do it next time?

OP posts:

Popc0rn · 26/06/2019 23:02

I've had two, neither hurt at all. Felt a bit strange, but not painful.

EL8888 · 26/06/2019 23:02

I had a similar experience years ago. Nurse got very irritable with me as she couldn’t initially do it and ended up cutting my cervix. Sample was then unuseable as contaminated with my blood. Next time saw someone different who actually knew what she was doing and it was fine. I think it depends on the skill of the person. I have a tilted cervix but the 2nd nurse had no issues

BoronationStreet · 26/06/2019 23:04

They are uncomfortable but I wouldn't say it hurt per say...more just didn't feel good. Kinda like a sweep when you're pregnant and overdue.

Sharptic · 26/06/2019 23:05

My smears have never hurt at all.

But I've had a couple of coils inserted, the pain nearly made me faint. Coils removed, no bother.

Childbirth was horrendous too, both times. So I don't know what it is that makes a smear ok and nothing else.

WhiteLightTrainWreck · 26/06/2019 23:05

I wouldn't say it hurts but I find it uncomfortable, my cervix is slightly to the left on a slight angle so it takes a small amount of pushing to the side and digging (or what feels like digging) to get to.
Hope you're not feeling too sore in the morning op.

MaudeLynne · 26/06/2019 23:06

Yes, the GP surgery struggled and it hurt like hell and I had to be recalled twice for poor quality samples. I was supposed to have one under GA while having lumps removed 2 years ago and only found out a couple of months ago that it hadn't been done!!!

I was urgently referred to the hospital and had one there. They had the tilting tables with stirrups and managed to do it a lot easier and less painful that way. Ask for a referral if it's all going badly.

TheFrenchLieutenantsMonkey · 26/06/2019 23:07

Mine always hurts. Always sore and feel.a.bit nauseated for a couple of days after. I have a tilted cervix and its rather high. I've had the speculum ping out because they're not long enough. Once had a nurse tell me, mid rummaging for my cervix that I'd need a well endowed man to make sex worthwhile 🤣

Goldenhorn · 26/06/2019 23:07

I actually had a really positive experience with mine! (Only had 1)

I was quite nervous but it genuinely didnt hurt or even feel uncomfortable I barely felt anything!

The nurse was really nice too, she even warmed the speculum up before using it and touched it to the inside of my leg to check it wasnt too warm/too cold before she inserted it! As I've only had 1 smear I assumed this was normal but after mentioning it to friends afterwards i was told this is apparently unusual

LittleCandle · 26/06/2019 23:08

The nurse once banged the speculum in really hard and then complained there was blood on the smear. It had to get done again another day and by another nurse, as I wasn't letting her near me again! That was the last one that I had to have, as I had a hysterectomy a year or so later.

Surfingtheweb · 26/06/2019 23:08

That's a bad nurse in my experience!! My first smear was at my 6 week check after baby, it really hurt, it was my GP doing it and when I jumped up the bed he said " oh sorry I caught your cervix". I've had 7 I think now, the last one was totally pain free & no tummy ache afterwards. I think it's good to book a week after your period. I've had others that were pain free being done but left me with tummy ache for the day & one like you where my cervix couldn't be found (it was eventually). But no, they shouldn't hurt or be traumatic if done correctly.

LaBelleSauvage123 · 26/06/2019 23:09

I’ve never had a problem but my last one ( I’m 58) was really difficult and painful -the nurse couldn’t find my cervix and had to have several goes. She said that this is more common as you get older.

OldAndWornOut · 26/06/2019 23:09

They really hurt me.
I was told (by my gp) that the laser treatment I had on my cervix left a lot of hardened scar tissue.

That was years ago, and they've always hurt since.
I'm due for one and feel the panic rising at the thought.

OhTheRoses · 26/06/2019 23:09

My cervix is tucked away. Nurses have usually complained about it and hurt like hell. As if it's my fault it's tucked away. Gynaecologist does it woth no problem at all, as does one of the very nice lady drs at the surgery. The dr's seem to better understand that not everyone's anatomy is the same and have the skill to work with it.

A practice nurse will never ever come near me again.

TapasForTwo · 26/06/2019 23:09

I had one a couple of weeks ago and hardly felt a thing. I warned the nurse that I had a tilted cervix, and she thanked me and said that it meant that she had to go in at a different angle. I barely felt a thing. It was the quickest, painless, most efficient smear I have ever had. The results came through early this week, and they are clear.

Tingface · 26/06/2019 23:10

I’ve had some that have really hurt, and others where I’ve barely felt them.

Titsywoo · 26/06/2019 23:10

I barely even feel it. I must have a massive vag.

chitofftheshovel · 26/06/2019 23:17

Smears are a breeze for me. I have zero embarrassment and zero pain.
Getting my current coil fitted on the other hand. That hurt worse, I kid you not, than child birth.

Original poster

Bostyrone · 26/06/2019 23:20

She said I have a long vagina. I am taller than average.
I’m on day 16 of my cycle now and it’s rebooked for 2 weeks time, or apparently they can refer you to the Awkward Vagina clinic.

OP posts:

FairyDust92 · 26/06/2019 23:22

@Bostyrone uncomfortable but not painful

Tolleshunt · 26/06/2019 23:23

I find them excruciating. It’s the speculum, not the brush (though that makes me shudder, but just because it’s a horrible feeling, rather than painful). I have an ectropion, which may be the reason why.

HugsAreMyDrugs · 26/06/2019 23:26

I've only had one and it was really bloody sore.

I'm actually having a smear next week and I am dreading it .

OldAndWornOut · 26/06/2019 23:27

Does everyone lie on their side to have it done nowadays?
It feels a lot less invasive.
(Still bloody hurt though!)

tulippa · 26/06/2019 23:34

Not had a painful one. It's more like it's unpleasant because it goes through me. Usually over quickly though.

EncroachingLoaf · 26/06/2019 23:35

Yes fucking agony. The last one took ages and a few tries ... and I felt really unwell and faint afterwards.

The two sweeps and various internal exams I had with my first pregnancy were also unbearable. I just can't seem to cope with any of it very well.

Rachie1973 · 26/06/2019 23:37

My cervix disappeared at one of mine. I actually told her it was running late as it had missed the bus.

Then I put my fists under my lower back to correct the tilt :) try that next time xxxx

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