To think smears hurt less the more you exercise?

[ThatPoisedFinch]

I’ve noticed that the more I exercise, the less uncomfortable my smear tests seem to be. Could it be that being more active helps with muscle relaxation, circulation, or flexibility? Maybe doing things like yoga or Pilates makes it easier to stay relaxed during the procedure?

Has anyone else experienced this or am I imagining it? Curious to hear if there’s anything to this or if it’s just a coincidence!

Hmm not sure. I've never had a smear test that hurt to be fair.

Interesting

I think you’re right

I imagine that you're just more relaxed. Not an exercise fan and never had a proper hurty smear.

They hurt me a lot, I used to be a gym bunny so don't agree exercise helps.

I've never had a smear hurt either when I have been into exercise or not

No, I haven't found that. As I've got older I've found that my smear tests are progressively hurting more, despite me increasing my exercise regime.

It depends on what aspect you think hurts I suppose? I haven’t actually found them uncomfortable or painful, just unpleasant.

It may be true for you. But if you have endometriosis, or any number of other conditions, no amount of exercising will make smears more bearable.

Smears could largely be replaced by a swab test done at home these days. I believe this is being trialled.

Smear tests never been painful for me, unpleasant but not painful. Not an exercise fan.

Like a pp, mine were ok when younger, post 40 and they have become more painful. I no longer get them. I'm probably due to have my coil changed and I'll need pain killers. My DD, who does a lot of exercise and yoga has a tilted cervix and her's are painful.

I have endo.

I don't exercise much any more but I used to do triathlons.

They've always really hurt. Really really hurt.

No, not at all.i used to go to the gym 4 times a week and did Pilates twice a week. I had to be prescribed Valium for a smear.

You aren't exercising the inside of your fanny or your cervix.

I’ve never felt them tbh.

I have always found smears extremely uncomfortable but for my last one the nurse said she was going to use a smaller speculum and it was night and day to previous smears. I actually asked is that it finished as I was waiting on the pain. So my advice whether you exercise or not is to ask for the smaller speculum.

Same! Last one was definitely painful. I do have a retroverted uterus and she was struggling to find the cervix. I'm guessing things may have shifted around over time to make it harder to find.

I’ve never had a smear test that hurt. They aren’t a ton of fun, but they have never been painful either, and always over in less then a minute. Perhaps exercise helps as a general way of chilling the mind out a bit, which I’m sure for some, is the cause of some of the angst of a smear test.

I exercise a lot and they've always been painful except for the one time I had a very kind and patient nurse do it. She also used a smaller speculum and it was warm. She also didn't just shove it in there and crank it open while completely ignoring me. I'd argue that the person doing it has a bigger effect than the amount of exercise you do.

I've had 2 smears in my life, the first was absolutely fine and second was terrible.

I think it was all to do with the nurse's technique to be honest. She made me bleed which didn't happen with the first one, and definitely wasnt menstrual blood. Both smears came back normal so nothing was wrong. And now I don't know what to expect for next time as had two completely different experiences.

Smear test can get more painful as we get older. I don't want to wish ill on anyone, but don't dismiss people talking about the pain until you've been te other side of the menopause for a few years!
Vaginal atrophy, dryness, thinner skin... it's physical ageing, regardless of how fit you might be.

Smear test can get more painful as we get older

I think this is probably true. The last smear test I went for was a disaster - after 3 failed attempts to get the sample I told the nurse I'd had enough and she was understanding about that. It hurt! Not sure why she couldn't get the sample.

Most women only have a smear once every 3 years so there will be dozens of variables at play. Emotional state, hormonal state, childbirth,any gynae issues, weight, previous trauma and lots more. So maybe exercise helps with the ability to focus on a particular body part for relaxation but it would be difficult to pin down.

Im getting on so have had a good few smears and for me it has always been the practitioner that made the difference and yes, there can be a significant difference.

Unfortunately as you get older and produce less oestrogen smears and could changes can become more painful though this can be mitigated by a great practitioner.

For those on yearly or more frequent smear programmes I imagine that stress would play a significant part in the experience.

I think it really varies (the "discomfort") depending on the practitioner. Honestly, most are absolutely shit at doing the procedure.

Mine are difficult and uncomfortable because I have a tilted uterus and apparently this is extremely common. I don't think exercise would help me!