To give up on smears if the hospital can't find my cervix?

[Smolgoose]

With my most recent smear, I've had two different nurses attempt it to no avail. Apparently my cervix is a very long way back, and when they've managed to see it, the pain from them jamming the speculum in is too much to bear for long enough to get a sample. However much I try to relax, I seem to tense up as well, which doesn't help matters.

I've been referred to the "difficult smears" clinic at the hospital. I rang up to ask what happens if the same thing happens again, thinking maybe they can offer mild sedation, but apparently they don't, and the next step if this fails is to have a general anaesthetic!

Does anyone have any secret tips for getting my difficult cervix to Co operate?
Having to be put under for it sounds like a complete pain!

I have gas and air at the hospital would that not work for you? @Smolgoose

I’ve had a few recent colposcopies and smears at the local hospital. They’ve been great. It’s not an enjoyable experience but they are far better at it than the practice nurses do.

@Angel2702

As they are only testing smear samples that have a positive HPV test I would just do the HPV part and see if the smear is even needed.

Was going to say this too. Can’t you just ask about the HPV swab at home in your circumstances?

Get it done just before your AF, it's bound to be accessible then.

Hospital say they don't offer gas & air or diazepam, I would have to get a GP appointment to get the diazepam... But GPS appointments are about 3 weeks in advance at the moment so there isn't time, unless I rebook to smear.

Maybe I can ask around and see if anyone I know can give me 1 diazepam!

You can ask for a prescription of oral sedation such as diazepam from your gp. I have had this for specific gynae procedures, being mentally and physically tense will certainly make the process for challenging on both sides.

@Lagomtransplant

Get it done just before your AF, it's bound to be accessible then.

The first from I had was just befire AF and the little fucker wouldn't even come out then!

My cervix Is like when you take a cat to the vet and it kind of welds itself to the very back of the basket

Just saw your last post, how about a private online gp appt in that case?

Another thing that helps is to make sure your bladder and bowel are ‘empty’ for the appointment, as either can ‘distort’ the vagina and make it difficult.

I've just been today for a repeat smear test as the nurse couldnt find my cervix a couple of weeks ago. Was really worried about it as never had a difficult smear before and I've had them every 3 years since I was 16 (am now 44). Last attempt was a couple of days before period was due, this one was a couple of days after I'd finished and she was in and out before I knew she'd done it! So I must always remember to book for the week my period has finished as mine must move up and out of sight before I'm due on. I'd been thinking about the merina coil to help with heavy periods before the attempt at the smear a couple of weeks ago and that put me off, but seeing how easy it was today I might got for it!

Another friend who's cervix was being tricky went to the family planning clinic and they did it quick as a flash too. Hope yours it better next attempt!

PS, also advocate for a bit of diazepam if you can get it. I've had it for flying and dental procedures and it a god send!

I have a GA for mine because of vaginismus. They can't even open the speculum.

'try to relax' the ultimate paradox.

Ask them to open the speculum slowly. When you feel resistance tell them to wait, take a breath and relax. Also stirrups are much more comfortable.

If diazepam not an option drink half a bottle of wine beforehand. Seriously.

@PlanDeRaccordement

This threads existence is why I think the do it yourself at home smear kits are a very bad idea. If a trained health professional who can look up your vagina can’t find a cervix, then how in the world do they expect women to blindly find their own cervix and get cell samples from just the cervix (an not the vagina)?

The home tests do not require you to locate or swab your cervix. They are an HPV swab of the vaginal wall. If tested positive you will still require a normal smear with a health professional.

I've been putting my smear off.

The first and only time I've had it done I had 3 people poking up there. It was sooooo uncomfortable and the bleeding after was so heavy.
Apparently my cervix is tilted
Think I might push to go to a GUM clinic I tried before got told to go the GP

I do believe some nurses are just better at it than others. I had one that was amazing once. 5* I would have given her. I think those who are good should get an extra certificate. I told her issues others have had - apparently my cervix is tilted. I had one ask - was I sure I'd given birth 🤔🤔🤔. She said when she once went for one the nurse was having so much trouble finding it that she did it herself and found it for her!

I have a tilted cervix, am very narrow down there and also have a really short perineum so it's not a barrel of laughs. I once had my smear booked late in the day and it took so long the surgery closed and the cleaners had to unlock the door to let me out!
I now know to ask for a small speculum, raise and tilt my pelvis with my hands under my bum and say to the nurse "its on your left"

I've been referred to the difficult smears clinic for the same reason and had an initial appointment a few weeks ago. My smear isn't due yet as they managed to do it a few months ago under general when I was have another gyne procedure.

They told me they can do gas and air in the clinic itself, which I think will be enough pain relief for me. They said GA was an option but I figure if they are doing that, they should be prepared to do the less harsh sedation instead. They can't do that in clinic as it needs an OR, so we will try the gas and air first.

@Smolgoose ask to be referred to another hospital , there is no reason why you can’t have gas and air. I am given it every time , I don’t ask it’s always offered at the difficult smear clinic.

Agree with all the comments to just do the HPV test at home. So straightforward, quick and easy...

No way can put wrists under my hips it’s full ga forming now, I hope now I’m done with smears.

I'm 32 and I've never had a smear. Keep meaning to book. And now I've read they use a speculum! Oh god. They used that on me when I was being balloon induced and it was torture!!!

But I'm glad to read you can ask for pain relief

My last smear the GP wasn't able to do it for the 1st time ever. So I was referred to gynae and had a lovely female gynaecologist do it and it wasn't an issue thank goodness. Still not my favourite thing to do but I did get through it ok. Hopefully you will be the same.

I have a tilt and I'm ashamed to say I have missed my last two smears. The last time I went three of them had a go (even after I flagged it up) and still couldn't get it. I had to rebook with the GP who couldn't do it either and had to call in another GP to try. It's excruciating. I keep getting alerts now though so I'm going to have to bite the bullet. This will be my first since menopause so i'm not expecting a happy outcome.