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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be scared of a smear

156 replies

NotHereToMakeFriends · 06/01/2020 16:23

Hey MNetters,

So I've been putting off having a smear test (for years) because I'm terrified of having one. If I felt like something was wrong I would have gone but I'm terrified of having one and I've shown no symptoms of anything serious. Every time I see people (I.e Zoe Sugg) have one or talk about one it looks so uncomfortable.

AIBU for being worried about it?

OP posts:
ClientListQueen · 06/01/2020 16:24

For me it's not painful, just feels weird. My last one took about 5 mins altogether
It's just a speculum and then a soft brush, and done

(Disclaimer I know some people struggle with them for various reasons)

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 06/01/2020 16:25

its 30secs of mild discomfort to potentially save your life...get a grip!

holly40 · 06/01/2020 16:26

Not U exactly. But what's a few seconds of slight discomfort when it could potentially help save your life.
I was nervous about it the first time, but thankfully got a grip.

wokingpizzaexpress · 06/01/2020 16:27

Yes it's uncomfortable and slightly awkward.
But nowhere near as uncomfortable or awkward or deadly as cervical cancer.
It can save your life.
Pull up those big girl panties, take a deep breath and just it. The HCP won't give a shit about what your hooha looks like. They see them every day.

Brimful · 06/01/2020 16:27

For me it really is such a non-event. Honestly it's over in minutes, and I have no discomfort at all! Remind yourself the nurses are professional and they know how to put you at ease.

Oysterbabe · 06/01/2020 16:27

Yanbu to be nervous but just get it done. I put mine off for years too but it was really no big deal at all, mine didn't hurt a bit and was over very fast.

mummymayhem18 · 06/01/2020 16:27

No you aren't BU for worrying about it. I'm 15 months overdue having mine because since having my daughter I have found them really painful. Plus I also have a lot of pain down there anyway and bottom problems so it's the last thing I want to do even though I know how important they are. Please don't let me you off though. That is just my experience and also my cervix sits far back so not in the usual place which makes it even trickier. We are all different,other people have no problem at all with them so please don't worry too much xx

TweetUsOnFacebook · 06/01/2020 16:27

It's not usually uncomfortable, and if it is it is only for a few seconds and far less uncomfortable than period pains.

The nurses are generally wonderful and will talk you through it if you mention you are worried.

FeckOffGraham · 06/01/2020 16:28

Yanbu and it's such a personal thing. Nobody should tell you you are U to be worried.

I don't exactly enjoy them, but I always go when I get the letter and they're always fine. Not my favourite thing, but fine.

I believe it is to test for precancerous cells, so you would be symptomless, but they could catch something very early. Although, last time I went, they said they now test for HPV and of you test positive they test for precancerous cells. Either way, you wouldn't have symptoms. The HPV they worry about is not the one that gives you warts I don't think. Different strains.

PurpleDaisies · 06/01/2020 16:28

The whole point of a smear is it detects problems before you have any symptoms so they can be treated at an earlier stage.

They’re not compulsory. You could discuss your personal risk of cervical cancer verses the risks of over treatment following a smear test. Not having one a valid decision to make.

FeckOffGraham · 06/01/2020 16:28

*if

theseriousmoonlight · 06/01/2020 16:28

Please just book one and do it. These tests save lives and however uncomfortable it is, it is worth doing.

Phwooooar · 06/01/2020 16:29

What wokingpizzaexpress said. I went for mine this morning. Just get on with it and be grateful it’s there for you to take advantage of. Focus on how good/brave you’ll feel after it’s done!

QuillBill · 06/01/2020 16:30

Nobody wants to have one. And you don't have to, it's your decision to make. You just have to gather the facts to make an informed choice.

TheFizzyTart · 06/01/2020 16:32

What is it your scared of? Injections hurt a bit but people will still have them for medical reasons and I'm sure the alternative hurts ALOT more.

I dont find it painful just weird pull up (or down Grin) your big girl pants take a deep breath and get it done

QueenArnica · 06/01/2020 16:32

YANBU to be worried, no one looks forward to them. However, YABU to not book one. I’m alive today because of a smear test, I had cervical cancer and was symptomless and my routine smear saved my life. Book it today OP.

jellycatspyjamas · 06/01/2020 16:32

No, you’re not unreasonable for being worried about it - lots of people struggle with their smear test for lots of reasons. What might make it easier for you?

sundowners · 06/01/2020 16:32

OP- I put mine off for years, ignored all letters etc for same reasons as you. It was the "Jade effect" finally for me, so finally booked in. 5 minutes of slight discomfort /initial embarrassment- you walk out the room and forget about it.
Until a letter arrives...my case they found pre-cancerous cells so had to go in for a minor op to have them removed.
Had I not finally gone for initial smear, they would have likely developed...just dont out it off. Do it.

Remember- the amazing team seeing you stare at vaginas all day and are experts at what they do and putting you in the least pain and discomfort possible. Don't put it off.

Antigonads · 06/01/2020 16:33

How old are you?

Smears never used to bother me but the older (and fatter) I have become the more uncomfortable they are.

It is just discomfort though and nothing to fear.

GET IT BOOKED

Oysterbabe · 06/01/2020 16:33

In my area they only test the sample for HPV in the first instance and only look at the cells if it's present. There's some evidence to suggest that an HPV urine test is just as effective and that the NHS may eventually move to doing that. You could pay for an HPV test privately if you really can't face a smear.

ForeverAlone1987 · 06/01/2020 16:34

I dont find it uncomfortable at all, in any way. But let me tell you, I missed my last smear 2 years ago, and i finally had it done in november.. well I'm glad I went as they have now found that I have precancerous cells. I had no symptoms of anything. Imagine if i never went and they continued to grow into cancer. Please just book yourself in and get it done x

Retroflex · 06/01/2020 16:34

YABU for assuming that you would be symptomatic immediately if something was wrong, when in reality, cervical cancer can be at an advanced stage before people visit the doctor with what they presume to be something minor, or decide to get a smear.

It's extremely important to have a smear test regularly, and I understand that some people are very anxious about it, but the nurse will have booked a double appointment, (20 minutes) for the smear to be completed, when the procedure itself is over in a few seconds.

Cervical cancer kills!

Tiredmumno1 · 06/01/2020 16:36

In all honesty I was exactly the same as you, I was so worried all the way up until my appointment, but seriously it was over so quick and no where near as bad as I remembered, maybe because they don't use the metal clamp type thing anymore. Either way I know I worked myself up for literally no reason in the end.

Just try and relax and concentrate on your breathing when having it done, you will be fine and as everyone else says it is important.

Upso · 06/01/2020 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Didthatreallyhappen2 · 06/01/2020 16:37

I find them absolutely agonising. I just don't seem to be "built" in the right way to find them a non-event. I'm in tears every time, dread them and have to talk myself into going. And yet I still go. Every single time. It's just one of those things that you have to get on with.

Take some painkillers beforehand (I must stress that I am VERY unusual to find them so painful), and you will be absolutely fine. Honestly you will. And even though I hate them I will admit that they are over very, very quickly.