Unsuccessful smear (posting for traffic)

[Urgi]

Posted this in health, too, but posting here for traffic:

Hello! Long time user but I have changed my username so it's not too outing!

I went today for my smear - last one five years ago so I'm a little late.

Over the last four years or so, I've had quite painful experiences during sex. My partner (10 years together) has been very understanding, and patient, and I had thought it was all in my head. I thought for some reason I was just tensing up and causing some pain internally. I haven't been happy even using tampons. I know I should have got myself checked, but I didn't..

And so to today. I told the lovely nurse I'm a little late for the test as I have quite strong anxiety about having them - explained all of the above. No triggers or traumatic events, etc.

So she uses a 'virgin' speculum, it goes in ok, she can't see the cervix so moves it around - my god, the pain was awful, exactly the same spot as when I have sex. She stopped (it was that bad). As the speculum went in ok she moved up to a 'small' one, inserted ok, but when she started opening it, it really hurt.

The nurse suggested perhaps an ovarian cyst, or adhesions as a result of Crohn's Disease. She has booked another appointment with both her and a female GP, but not until 14 December.

Some symptoms I've had I've associated with IBD, of course, but they may point to something else:

Pain during intercourse (right sided)
Dull ache after intercourse (right sided)
Occasional sharp abdominal pain
Irregular bleeding (quite recent)
Painful periods (I take Gedarel back to back to limit periods)
Bloating (solid stomach) and feeling full
Constipation
Frequent and urgent need to urinate
Constant fatigue
Night sweats

FWIW I am 38, never had children, one miscarriage 2010. Full STI screening about 6 months ago, all clear (had some issues following a course of steroids for a mild IBD flare).

Has anyone gone through the same/similar? Obviously my mind is trying to take me down all sorts of paths but I'm trying to ignore it!

Have you considered endometriosis. I have that and a speculum insertion and sex can hurt. Have a look at the symptoms as they sound similar. Endo isn't limited to painful periods and can also cause gastric issues or other others problems elsewhere in the body.

Thank you, MsAlder. No, never considered that as I had always assumed it was far more severe than the symptoms I've been having, but I will definitely mention it when I go in next, thank you.

Have avoided Googling my symptoms so I don't get too obsessive over what it may or may not be, but it's stressing me out this afternoon!

When did you last have a Crohn's review? Logically it's most likely to be CD related.

I was actually seen in person in the IBD clinic on 28 October to discuss coming off my current medication, as I am in histological remission and have been for a few years. Had a scope a couple of months ago and all was ok, too. Just my 'regular' symptoms that plague my daily life!

I was (perhaps naively) unaware Crohn's could affect my vagina/cervix/etc., but it gets 'blamed' for everything else so it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest!

I am the same age as you and no pregnancies/children. My last smear the nurse couldn't find my cervix and it was very painful using the smallest speculum and I had to ask her to stop it was taking too long. She said it could just be related to the time during my cycle and I went back 2 weeks later. 2nd time was no problem at all. She found it straight away, it didn't hurt just uncomfortable like it usually is and was all over quite quickly.

I think it is just sometimes it can be the movement of all the organs down there which effect it, especially if you've experience IBS and other digestive.

Thank you @BamBamBilla that is reassuring to know, definitely. Who knew a cervix could vanish 😅

I am hopeful that next time it will be better. I can't fault the nurse at all, she was lovely. I think her concern was that the pain had been there for a while. I'm sure it will be an innocent reason, so I'm trying not to overthink it!

I had a similar many years ago with the pain in a specific spot, and it turned out to be pelvic floor related and some regular pelvic exercises and weekly acupuncture (on the NHS) cured it after suffering for years! I didn’t have any of the other symptoms but wanted to mention it in case you have 2 separate things going on. I was so sure it wouldn’t work but it did.

Another suggestion for endometriosis.
I had most of your symptoms and I was diagnosed last year. I thought I had IBS for years as the stomach pains and bloating was so bad but it’s all tied back to endo.

I had this OP the last time I went, really uncomfortable, been having smears for 20 odd years no issues. I knew the nurse well so we were chatting etc, i felt at ease. Smear was unsuccessful despite me putting myself in positions i never knew i could🤣.
Went back around a month later and it was done , no problem.
Im sure i was just having 'one of those days!', i hope you will be the same. Good luck when you go back!

Thank you all so much!

@RainbowCat26 that is a good thing to know, and certainly open to exploring any possibility! Thank you!
@Northtosouth Sorry to hear you had so many issues for so long - glad you have a diagnosis now. It does seem to fit a lot of the symptoms..
@mommatoone I had the whole 'hands in fists under the bum' thing, but thankfully no yoga poses or the like! I think because the pain was obviously internal she thought it best to just stop.. I am hopeful though that it will be the same as you and when I go back next month it will be fine!

Going back tomorrow for a second attempt, appointment with both the nurse and GP at the same time so the GP can have a feel for a possible ovarian cyst or other mass that shouldn't be there.. Have had odd, heavy feelings lower right, in the area of the internal pain, but quite likely I'm over-aware after the last attempt so probably nothing..

Terrified though!

Well, same again - doctor could see half my cervix.

Being referred now for ultrasound and to see the Gynae team. Should be within 6 weeks so not a super quick pathway which has put me at ease slightly!

@Urgi - good luck op. Im sure its nothing to worry about. Our bodies change so much over the years.
6 week pathway sounds reassuring too.x

Thanks @mommatoone trying to not think about it and ignore the worry - I'm sure it is all ok, I think I'm just really over-aware of things now!

I had an ultrasound last week. External and internal (wasn't expecting that!). The lady said it all looked normal, which is a relief. She couldn't 'find' my right ovary but I have read that's nothing to worry about. My uterus is retroverted. I assume it always has been, so would be surprised if this is what is causing the pain (and it is really painful).

I have a colposcopy end of the month. Does anyone know if I can request something to help with the pain so they can hopefully have a more successful attempt than the Nurse/GP? I am dreading it, but am becoming more and more convinced it's in my head, as it all appears normal on the ultrasound. Though I have no idea what would have triggered it. Why would it suddenly be so painful - like there's glass up there or something, it's horrible!

Hi OP. Glad all went ok and sounds positive.
Its a long time since i had a colposcopy, i just recall it being a little uncomfortable. But in your situation , could you maybe contact the clinic beforehand and ask their advice. Im sure they would have come across this before.
Good luck x

Thanks @mommatoone that's a good idea - I'll give them a call. Thank you x

Hi can I ask how you got on? Hope all well. Similar symptoms