To be scared of a smear

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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?

YANBU for being worried, OP.
I don't like them either (mine hurt, I bleed a bit usually - guess I'm just unlucky that way) but they are a necessary evil IMO.

Smears and internal examinations are very painful for me but I take 2 paracetamol, 2 Ibuprofen, and a shot of alcohol to manage the pain. It’s worth it because the Smears don’t just diagnose Cancer - the nurse / GP can spot other stuff too. For example some STDs, structural abnormalities, and even other Cancers.

@Antigonads I'm 28 and I was lucky to have the HPV injections at school. Although I know they aren't bulletproof injections it does reduce my risk. We've never had cervical cancer in my family but I know they is always a chance.

I'm worried because I don't take well to usual procedures, they can never take blood when they have to, I barely bleed when I cut myself, I have to have over 10 injections when having a filling etc. I'm just scared that it's going to be painful really, I know it's uncomfortable but I just don't want it to be painful. I'm a weakling really.

YABU

getting a smear is VERY important and we in the UK are extremely blessed to have it available to us, and for free, and they even send letters to remind us!!!

@ForeverAlone1987 I've had precancerous cells in the past, and needed screened more regularly as a result.

A smear test isn't painful, (although if you're tense it could be uncomfortable), and it's over in less than a minute from start to finish.

Clearly all the above posters have no idea, no empathy. Just because they haven't experienced it, they can't comprehend why anyone else could.

Have you had cancer? A migraine?

I hate smears with a passion. I've had it stopped because they couldn't continue.

Apart from an inverted, there's not much logical reason, ie I have never been abused or raped.

Two c sections, severe toothache. Easy. Smears?

But please have a bit of understanding. Even if you don't find them bad.

Currently sitting in my car outside my GPs waiting to go for mine at 5pm. I find them a tad uncomfortable but you are done and dusted in five minutes.

Kind of weird advice but try some super strong painkillers to relax you for during. It really isn’t a big deal but anything that gets you to have it is a bonus. I had a copper coil inserted twice (which really can be quite uncomfortable) and the second time I loaded up on some heavy duty painkillers and was fine!

They are uncomfortable but not ime painful.
I also work myself up about being exposed, but that aspect of it is so much less of an issue when I'm there.
The appointment takes about ten mins but only one minute is you up on the bed.
Just go, the anticipation is worse than the event. If you're nervous say so.

I was very tense (nerves) when my GP last tried to do one and so we gave up. I booked in with the Practice nurse instead and there was no problem at all. She prolly goes them more regularly than the GP. Could be worth you trying the same

People who describe it as :
discomfort
Uncomfortable

Clearly have no understanding of what OP is referring to!

If you do find it uncomfortable or painful, you can ask the nurse to use a smaller size speculum if needed. Don't base your smear tests on a youtuber who my 13yo DD and her friends are now bored of & not buying her overpriced products!

Upso OP has claimed it is because it looks uncomfortable- your situation is completely different!!!
If women would stop scaring other women then more people would go get their smear tests- it's a life saver.

A bit of a lack of empathy on this thread. Just because you find them easy/non-traumatic/pain-free doesn't mean everyone does.

It's not fun, it's normal to be nervous and not unusual to be scared. I don't like em but the nurse that does them at my GPs is lovely and makes you feel very comfortable. Most places are great of you tell them you're nervous

Try getting it done at your local sexual health clinic. I've found them a lot quicker and had less discomfort than my GP. I've put it down to the fact they probably deal with vaginas on a more regular basis.

What would you be more scared of having a 5 minute smear test
Or being told you have cancer and could of prevented it

I had cervical cancer, without any symptoms. The treatment and investigations and surgery I had were much more painful and intrusive than a smear.

Go, get it done, treat yourself to coffee and cake afterwards.

Good luck.

I can understand your fears although for me personally it’s never been a big deal especially since having children, the nurses who do them have to have them too or have had them previously.. the nurse who did my last one had had hers the day before! Also cancer is inconvenient can be Intrusive and “embarrassing”and can be very painful! No one had the right to dismiss your fears but to me it’s pros far outweigh the cons! Please get it done!

I have to have the small spectrum, gel and nurse tells me to get in certain position as mine is high up.
The thing is even if they are painful for you they don't last long and surely the thing they are trying to catch early would be even more painful if it spread.

Don’t be disingenuous ch3y, sex is totally different to a smear test.

Yanub to be nervous. I put off my first one and went two years late. I've had two now and they haven't been anywhere near as bad as I expected. I found them slightly uncomfortable but honestly it's over before you know it and you'll be so glad you went!

@Oblomov20 Many young women are not aware that they can request a smaller sized speculum, heck it was nearly 20 years till I found out.

I put it off for nearly 2 years, then had to have a colposcopy and biopsy. Waiting for the results was so much worse than worrying about the smear or having it done, imagine anything worse. It’s over very quickly and the nurses don’t care about your bits. My friends had one during a herpes outbreak and said the nurse didn’t even mention it. They honestly just want women to have smears. Please go!