How were you not terrified of getting a smear test?

[Fluffycookie]

So I received a letter from my surgery today regarding the cervical screening test. I'm 25 , and I dread every smear test visit to my GP. Every time I'm in that room, no matter how hard I try to mentally prepare myself, the mere thought of the procedure causes me to panic. I'm not sure where you got your courage and strength. I continue to believe that the sample collection procedure is oppressive. I'm sure there must be a better, less painful way to collect a sample.

It's a momentary discomfort to protect you from an appalling disease. Take a deep breath, concentrate on what you are going to cook for supper and it will soon be over.

My dsd wasn't old enough to qualify for a smear test when she died for CC. She went through chemo, radio, had her cervix removed, then a kidney. It took her 23 months to die.

I'm sorry to be so blunt but be grateful it is available to you. She wasn't offered one until it was too late.

Does anyone know if I will get additional tests automatically if abnormal cells were spotted? Or is that a silly question that I should really ring the drs and ask?

I’ve never really found them more than a bit uncomfortable and had my first smear at 21. The thought of missing something that could lead to cancer and what happened to the likes of Jade Goody I find nothing short of terrifying so I go. I know they only test for HPV but it is a visual exam as well which you can’t do yourself.

I've not got a problem with them and have no anxiety about going. I don't find them painful, is all over pretty quickly. The nurses who've done mine in the past (all different ones I think) have all been very chatty and I think it distracts you and makes you feel comfortable.
It's a procedure they do multiple times a day so no need to feel awkward about it.

Wait till you have a baby, a smear test is nothing to be worried about :)

It could save your life for a few minutes potential discomfort. Better that than dying of a preventable disease.

@BeyondTheLetterOfTheLawTheLetter yes they will want to do a colposcopy I think if you have abnormal cells to take a closer look

I'm sorry it's painful for you OP. I also find it very painful and wish there was a different way of testing. Conversely, I find a mammogram a breeze. I think the best thing you can do is tell the nurse how you're feeling beforehand. They are usually very kind and may be able to help you relax a bit. Also, are you able to take someone with you? Even if they just sit with you in waiting room.

I've just got my third and final letter telling me to book one. I intend ignoring it. I find them deeply unpleasant and painful. Its not a moment because it brings back other memories which have a knock on effect on my life. If it turned out there was an issue, I'm not sure I could go down the treatment path anyway so not knowing seems easier.

The thought of cervical cancer is far me terrifying tbh. A cervical smear takes less than ten seconds, you're in and out. It really doesn't bother me at all and we get them yearly here in Germany.

When I was 18 my mum had cervical cancer. I don't like getting them done but I do without fail, for that reason.

I think I’ve only ever had 2 and they were both a bit bizarre so decided not to have any more.
There must be some medical staff who an preserve a woman’s dignity while doing the procedure but I’ve yet to meet one.

At my last smear test, it was not explained to me that my cells would first be tested for HPV, and if negative that no further testing would be done.

It’s in the letter or leaflet that you get inviting you to make an appointment for a smear. The nurse should also explain this, to fully ensure consent, but the onus is also on you to read the accompanying literature you have been sent.

@Fluffycookie I’m sorry you’re anxious about it. If in England you’ll only now be invited for a first smear at 25, are you elsewhere where they start screening earlier? You could make a separate appointment to discuss your fears with the nurse?

Women that have been subjected to sexual assault or violence may understandably be incredibly nervous about being touched for any examination.

The issue is that because you are scared you will tense and this will make the test even more unpleasant. I know people saying try and relax may irritate some but it’s the way forward to make it as less painful as possible for each individual. I do believe people have different pain thresholds, I know DS GF worries her pain threshold is really low and she also bruises really easily from the slightest bump.

So whilst his GF and I could both try and relax it may still very well bother her more. I have given birth with zero drugs as DS came so quickly and had fillings without anaesthetic so guess I must be on the feels pain less end of the spectrum. I don’t know if it’s helpful but in my first career I worked assisting at general anaesthetics so have medical training, not gynae but I suppose some knowledge may make it less scary.

Having had an auntie who died at the age of 27 leaving 2 kids behind because of cervical cancer, I have no qualms in dropping my pants and getting the old fandango out for a check up.
I am relieved when my appointment comes round.
but then I suppose having a personal tragedy make my decision to do it easier.

Does anybody know how long HPV stays with you?
I had a LLTEZ Procedure around 15 years ago before the link to HPV was widely publicised but assuming it means I had HPV then, my smear results always come back clear now ?

No, you are not being unreasonable. The procedure is unpleasant and some nurses are plain rude. But I suppose I will be told to shut up and be grateful anyway.

I think the OP is perfectly entitled to feel as she does. It's important to remember that while YOU might not find a smear painful or upsetting, others do and they're entitled to feel like that. I don't know why some of you feel it's ok to berate those who don't have smear tests? Do you berate those who don't go to the opticians or dentists?
The home test for HPV is a swab you insert yourself and it tests for strands of HPV in the vaginal secretions -the same as the invasive teat the nurse does. If the NHS want more women to test I have no idea why they continue to harass us and waste money on more awareness campaiigns. Dutch and Finnish women have been offered the home test for years now and their death rates from this cancer are among the lowest in the world so I have no idea why the NHS is still faffing
Worth noting your chance of getting the cancer is 0.65% according to CRUK, With around 1000 UK women per year dying of the cancer from a population of 30 million women . This is a RARE cancer
I opted out in 2015 after refusing smears for the 15 years before that. Informed decision. My vagina my decision

The procedure is unpleasant for you, it’s not a universal experience.

I get thats it’s scary

but now I have at risk cells

I have full on stirrups and a camera up there !

its as unpleasant at dentisty

and the only way to the cervix is via the vagina

@PickyEaters Have you been diagnosed with vaginal atrophy and has topical estrogen been discussed with you? this would help you feel more comfortable generally and also when having smear tests
menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GSM-OF-MENOPAUSE-SYMPTOM-CHECKER2.pdf
d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/463/Vaginal%20Dryness%20v21-02.pdf

I can’t make myself do it. I can’t even get past taking my knickers off with someone else in the room, let alone being touched.

Of course I am writing about my own experience, and the nurses I mentioned are only those who I met. I couldn't know what other people's experience is, and I cannot deny the OP's own experience and feelings.

These days the cells cools red are only tested for HPV. Only if thats positive do they examine the cells further.

If speaking about your own experience it would be handy to not use the phrasing ‘the procedure is unpleasant’

I don't know where the cools red came from