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 an interesting one. I've never felt any anxiety about smears, it's just a very routine procedure to me.

I've also had an emergency d&c without anesthesia when I was haemorrhaging after an incomplete miscarriage. Again, I felt OK about it.

It wasn't pleasant, but I understood it was necessary.

I do understand that many women have reasons for feeling uncomfortable about strangers near their genitals though.

My advice for any gynaecological procedures?

Heels together and then totally relax from the pelvis down and the neck up.

And no-one is judging your genitals!

And regarding HPV, I had HPV about 25 years ago and now test negative.

I adopt an attitude of resignation towards them. They're not my idea of fun, but I'd experience worse if I didn't go and something was wrong.

Making an almost theatrical flop and sigh as they're about to proceed seems to help for me. Might not feel particularly relaxed but pretending tricks my body.

It’s a test to get over and done with. I find waiting for the results really worrying. Then getting the results and dealing with this. Hopefully it will be ok for you. Think of something nice to do right after the procedure. I focus on thinking about having a coffee.

I've had 3 now (I'm 32) first two were over quickly but my last one was awful!! It took ages, she was like "sorry I can't find the cervix!" (who knew) and it was quite painful. Wasn't long after having my first child so perhaps that had something to do with it. I can understand why people dread them.

Yes it hurts but as plenty of other people have said it could potentially save your life.
I think we have an expectation that everything can be done with no pain. Unfortunately it’s just not always the case. I’m sure that if there was a less uncomfortable way of doing it that would be done - and I can’t understand people saying it’s an oppressive test - surely it would be far more oppressive if women were refused a smear test and therefore left to potentially die of undiagnosed cervical cancer?!

I’m more terrified of getting cancer.

It’s just a procedure. It’s no better or worse than any other procedure, and it’s absolutely essential. The people doing it are trained experts there’s nothing to be worried about

I'm wondering if the OP meant intrusive rather than oppressive? Or maybe she didn't. They are intrusive.

I have had a few and would not consider it painful. Not after childbirth anyway! Getting a result of abnormal cells caused me far more anxiety and stress than the process itself. Thankfully it was all sorted and I am so pleased I live in a country where this life saving test is available to women

If you’re 25 then surely this would your first one? Yeah it’s not pleasant but it’s over in a few seconds and I know cancer treatment would be far more awful

These kind of threads always turn ugly. It seems the majority of women on here simply dismiss "Your body, your choice"

Nobody has to "just get it done"

Nobody has to "grow up"

You are allowed to refuse. It's a basic human right. You are not selfish for that.

They are not just "quick and painless" for everyone. It can actually be painful.

And I'm going to end this comment by saying what everybody on Mumsnet hates.

BE KIND

Of course it's not a nice thing to need to have. But from someone who wanted to skip having a smear but made my self have one. I have never never been more grateful .
High grade abnormal cells. Biopsies and them a hysterectomy! All at the she of 40.!
I'm very very thankful for the test and my life! You need to just book an appointment and get it done. There's much much worst things in life than a smear test.

So a 25 year old, oppressed by all of her previous smears (which don't start until you're 25) is asking women to tell her all about their smear tests?

Does disrupting the cells cause any issues possibly?

They way I look at it is 3 minutes of slightly being uncomfortable. Is better than a diagnoses of cancer and lots more invasive checks and procedures!

Because it might save my life. I've had many over the years; I'm a lot older than you. Big time feminist and don't find it remotely oppressive, dunno where you get that from. Ask for a female doc if that helps you.
It's much less unpleasant than mammograms ime. Squeeeeze.

As someone who has had 2 x 2 week referrals and numerous gynae procedures this year, ending in a total hysterectomy, can I just say - stop being so precious and go for the bloody smear? It might be a life saver.

Because one may have saved my life. CIN3 removed at the age of 21.

Honestly, I’d rather have a smear test than a blood test. And when I do get nervous or embarrassed, I just remind myself that prevention and early detection saves lives and the nurse taking the sample isn’t caring what my nethers look like!

Because I'd rather than that what it's testing for?!

Jesus christ

It’s not a test for cancer. It even says in the leaflet you receive with the letter telling you to book an appointment that it is no longer a cancer screen. It’s why they’ve changed the name from cervical cancer screening to just cervical screening. It’s basically just an invasive HPV test now.

I’m old, so back in the 80s you had a smear (at least where I lived in S London) from the time you started contraception. So from 17 when I started the pill, every year I had my blood pressure taken, a smear and a breast check. No biggie, didn’t even really think about it.

Basically you had a full check up with a female doctor, a chat about contraception, if you wanted to change anything, if you wanted an STI check, if you had painful periods etc. In hindsight it was quite forward thinking and let you be very involved in your reproductive health. I can’t say my daughter has had the same experience.

What’s the difference between having a HPV test from the nurse at your doctors surgery or doing a private HPV test yourself in the comfort of your own home? They give you the same results but nobody has ever been able to explain why people who opt for the latter rather than the former are somehow being irresponsible and need to grow up...

You’re not alone. I was terrified. In fact so terrified I had my first and last 25 years ago, never ever again. I think it was more about me rather than the procedure itself, though. Granted I know people aren’t necessarily going to tell all their woes worries whys and what fors to me, but everyone else seems so at ease going for one. No one have any fear.

Because I'm more terrified of dying from a horrible cancer.

Also, oppressive? 🤨