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?

Having had 2 coils fitted (and removed), several stretch and sweeps with both DC and lengthy induction including having my waters broken manually with DS I am more than used to HCPs fiddling around in my undercarriage with various instruments of tourture. However I completely understand your reluctance and anxiety. It's an intimate area of your body being examined by a total stranger. It is well known for being uncomfortable (although rarely painful) and there is the potential for bad news as a result. Women are expected to put up with a lot of unpleasantness for medical reasons, some of it unnecessary, and going by the responses on this thread most of us just accept it. In my view it's ok to question the expectations and to express how you feel about it.

That said, I would encourage you however to book an appointment, take some painkillers and tell the nurse how nervous you are so she can try and put you at ease. They do try to maintain your dignity as much as possible throughout. I hope you choose to go through with it.

It is so quick, barely 1 minute. Just get it done. Do you know how lucky we are in this country to be able to have it done?

If you are experiencing symptoms it may be too late! I grew up in australia where a trip to the family planning clinic tested you for abnormal cells plus STDs. When I moved to the Uk I assumed a trip to the family planning clinic did the same...but only after being tested in Australia for IVF did I discover I had CIN 3 - the stage before cancer. I rang the family planning clinic in the UK ato find out why if I had been tested regularly I ended up with CIN 3 - found out I had only been tested for STDs for years. My mistake but it also nearly cost me developing cancer. YABU - you don't get symptoms for cervix cancer. It's a pain to do and uncomfortable but could save your life and your chance to have a child/children. I lost an inch of my cervix when they cut the CIN three out. Luckily I already had an extra long cervix so didn't have any issues with being pregnant but not everyone is that lucky. Get the test.

I haven't had one for 7 years, never had a positive one, I've decided to stop putting myself through the agony. Yes I know that it means I'm at risk of having cancerous cells or pre cancerous cells, it was an informed decision, I'm 54 & it's my body, my decision.

Please go, I've always gone when requested I've had no symptoms and was diagnosed with CIN 3 cells after my last one.
I've since had the cells removed but was told by the consultant had I left them it is very likely they would have become cancerous, I'm 34 and have a 6 and 3 year old. It was uncomfortable not in a physical sense but possibly saved me from getting cervical cancer.
5 minuets of feeling slightly uncomfortable is suey better than being treated for cervical cancer x

Definetly go get the test OP. I don't like mine, they are uncomfortable, can be slightly painful and it's never fun getting your Mary out to a medic.

But it's one of those things where the alternative is much worse than the test. It's definitely not worse than a scale and polish at the dentist, but less fun than a glass of wine.

I've got to have one this month (just waiting for period to arrive then will book in). Make sure you are bang in the middle of your cycle when your cervix is open. I watched a video thing in google before my last one that showed the cycle of the cervix when you have your period, ovulate etc. Just so I knew what the nurse could see. I'd booked in a week later than the middle if my cycle and it was more uncomfortable than when I have been mid cycle. So definetly make sure its mid cycle, take some painkillers beforehand and treat yourself to something nice afterwards.

Also tell the nurse or gp you are nervous and they will be very sympathetic. If you want a friend to go with you ask if you can.

Whilst you should have it done, I don’t blame you for feeling worried. I hate speculum exams, I find them terribly uncomfortable. Everyone’s different but I literally lie back and think of England. Male gynaecologists tend to be more gentle in my experience.

I certainly find them painful, they’re definitely more painful than a scale and polish, which isn’t painful at all imo. Luckily it doesn’t take long.

If I hadn’t had one I’d now be dead.... I was 24.
5 minutes is better than the alternative

Even if your one of those people who find it painful it lasts for about 30 seconds. I find them uncomfortable but not exactly painful and after a few deep breaths it’s all done and dusted.

There’s no reason to not have it done. Whatever your worry is speak to a healthcare professional and they will be able to help you.

Thewomeninthemirror was there a reason you had an early smear? The screening programme doesn’t usually start until 25.

Honestly, the anxiety and over-thinking is worse than the reality. I book mine as soon as I get the letter, I don't think about it, just do it straight away so I don't back out.

It's a little uncomfortable, but it's so quick and the nurses put you at ease.

Think about how good you'll feel once you've had it done and then you're all done for 3 years. It's so not that bad. It's only going to be niggling at you if you don't, have you thought about hypnotherapy?

I'm 24 too, you can be invited up to six months before your 25th birthday

Bless you. It is completely understable that you're worried about going. As others have said, you really should book it in. You can explain to the nurse that you're nervous, though she will probably expect that anyway. Fists clenched under your bum helps angle everything properly. As for getting the smaller speculum, my practice nurse told me that if you get the smaller one if you are under 30 or haven't had a baby (I've had both and didn't notice much difference). They are uncomfortable, and yes, you might feel your dignity is out of the window, but honestly, the nurses f don't care, will put you at ease and it's something that will help to keep you healthy. I imagine that with you posting on here it's something that has been playing on your mind as well, so going to get it done will be a relief. Book something lovely for afterwards and see it as a day of looking after yourself x

You’re not being unreasonable at all, it’s totally normal and very common. It’s not like fears are ever unfounded. I find them excruciating but it does help to tell the nurse your fears and to have something to focus on after, something you enjoy. I find ‘in five minutes I’ll be done and on my way to the bookshop’ helps a lot.

Thanks to everyone who has been really positive and supportive. I phoned my doctors after work today and booked it. I'll try not to think about it but sadly will have to go back to work straight after so no cake but I might sneak one in

I’ve just been working it out that I’ve had eight smears in my life, of which I’d say two were awful - the others were unpleasant but ok really. My last one was by far the worst, it’s an age thing according to the nurse.

YANBU to be fearful and reluctant to undergo an intrusive and uncomfortable procedure imho. Only you can make the decision whether to go ahead or not, all the people on this thread shouting you should just GET IT DONE can’t make the decision for you. A nurse or GP should be able to have a a chat with you about it first?

Oops Cross posted OP - good luck!

I always found it very painful until I found out that speculums come in different sizes. A nurse opted to use a small one on me and there was no pain! Ask for a smaller sized speculum, we come in different sizes and it could save you from pain (and fear).

You might be pretty much sorted now but I just wanted to say it’s ok to be scared.
I was terrified of mine, I had some past trauma so put it off for a bit.
Just let the nurse know that you’re scared, they don’t need to know why and they’ll have dealt with scared women coming for them before. Mine talked through it with me even got a spare kit to show me what happens and told me I could stop at any point no questions asked.
I also sorted it so I could do/eat something that I liked afterwards (can be later in the day after work for you) so I could think of that when it was happening. Told the nurse this and she made sure to talk about it
You got this!

Well done for booking-don’t cancel it! If it helps, I’ve just got my all clear results after ten years of not having screening due to fear, embarrassment and a very hidden cervix 😩
Ten years ago I got called back and a specialist had to have a rummage (he was very kind and gentle) but after that I felt embarrassed and didn’t go.

Husband had a HUGE argument with me over not going, knowing someone who had got diagnosed with issues found at screening, and it was this that pushed me into booking.

The nurse could not have been more lovely when I told her I was nervous and embarrassed of my fat body (!) She completely put me at ease and although it was uncomfortable due to my cervix hiding I just did deep breathing throughout and she was great. She did an awesome job and I got my results within two weeks and have a three year recall.

It took about 15mins altogether from going through questions, the screening and back out and looking back it wasn’t anything like I’d built it up to be in my head!

Embarrassment is better than an undiagnosed problem-well done for booking in!

There’s no longer any need to have an invasive smear if you don’t want to have one. HPV swab testing kits can be bought privately and done at hone then sent for testing. I got one done through BUPA. It cost me about £100 but I absolutely feel sick getting smears done so it was worth it for me. Some parts of the country offer them on the NHS but not all - it’s rolling out.

And they are absolutely as accurate as nurse-taken smear tests. Lots of research to back it up.

I have one booked in for tomorrow! They’re totally fine, a little discomfort but not painful at all, and over in less than 30 secs. Do it!!

The discomfort is the same as if someone put a cold coke can on the back of your neck. Not painful but not enjoyable! It's over in like 3 minutes beginning to end!