Smear test - is it normal to find leaves and twigs?

[User748937744]

Ok, clickbait title - for a reason!

I am in my 40s and had my first smear test today. It was so fine and so quick and so painless and so straightforward and I wish I’d been brave enough to go for all the many years I’ve ignored the invitations!

Aibu to tell as many people as I can who might also never have gone to just do it?

I’ll happily go back next time I’m called.

I only went today because I’ve had some symptoms that were concerning.

It was so built up as something embarrassing and possibly painful in my head and it just wasn’t either.

Please, please go. You can always say you’re nervous and would like to be seen by someone really understanding.

You really don't need that title to convince women.

Love your thread title, op 😁
Hope it engages loads of posters.

I think that title will just confuse people. Like that post about being unable to use a cafe because they weren't a man.

It’s to draw people in? Anyone genuinely confused having opened the thread is past help, tbh.

it took four HCPs and 3 appointments to get mine done. And incredibly painful all three appointments were too.

so yeah, that’s why I prevaricate about it.

Shocking that not everyone has the same experience.

I love the title. Before opening I really thought "leaves and twigs" was a description of what the cervix and vagina resemble if you were peering in there! But no, all is well I don't have a forest in there.

Well done on the OP, OP!

I had one a couple of weeks ago. It was incredibly painful (I nearly passed out), caused bleeding for over a week and triggered a PTSD relapse. And I was, as expected, HPV negative so they didn’t even bother testing the sample beyond that.

Christ alive was it poorly executed or do you struggle with atrophy or some other condition?

My smear test has always been FINE. Way better, less intrusive, less painful, and less scary than a late diagnosis of cervical cancer would be!

@bumbalooI assume it was poorly executed, no other medical conditions to account for it.

Sorry for those who have had bad experiences.

I just wanted to try to encourage anyone who has never had a smear to go. It was just such a non event (for me). I’m sure there are people who endlessly put them off like I did and if just one of those people ends up going I’d be so happy.

You can buy an HPV test online now. They only test for Hpv now and throw the sample away if it is negative.

I went for my first one at 38 and it was painful as fuck so that's the one and only time I'm doing that😅 yours sounds way worse than even mine was, it's annoying when women say oh it doesn't hurt it's amazing. Yeah fucking right🙄

For anyone that finds it painful, you can lie on your left side. It’s a hundred times better for me if I do that

Thanks for the tip @cordeliabuffy I might try that if I ever go for another. Mine are painful and I'm about a year overdue for the latest one. I'm just not sure it's worth the pain now it's just a HPV check and not looking for abnormal cells anymore. I haven't tested positive for HPV any of the previous times so can't understand why they think it would change when I'm in a long term monogamous relationship.

I was wondering how you managed to get leaves and twigs up there! 🤣

great thread, though.

Just a reminder that a smear doesn’t pick up all gynaecological cancers so if you have issues, keep going back to the doctor - don’t be fobbed off.

They only started testing for Hpv in 2019. Before that they looked at the cells.

They have started being so fucking rude to me the last few times. Commenting how they can tell I've never given birth, asking if I'm sexually active, asking for the virgin speculum or whatever piece it is. Its just so shit. Just insinuating that they can't get it in. Ive just started crying through them now and lo and behold I'm now 6 months overdue as I can't figure out how to do it all again. I mean, I will, but probably need to get shagging first, hey?

Please don't assume you will remain HPV negative even if in a monogamous relationship. HPV can lie dormant for many many years before it can flare and cause issues. I've recently had to have surgey for vulva skin changes caused by a strain on HPV and I've been with mu husband 15 years. That's why it's so important to attend for regular screening.

Mine are AGONY. I’m not having any more unless I’m sedated, and will not be convinced otherwise that if men had to endure smear tests - we’d have made huge advances in fast, painless ways to do them.

that being said, I would encourage anyone who has a cervix to get one - I realise I’m in the minority here re pain and trauma! Well done OP and I’m so glad yours was a breeze!

If you have concerns don't rely solely on the smear, follow up with the gp.

Oh really? Thanks for that. I might try that next time. Mine always hurt, I'm not sure if it's because I have a retroverted uterus. My friend does too and says that hers hurt as well.

I've never had a problem in the past but things are not the same as they were at my last appointment due to perimenopause and being long term single. I am incredibly worried about having to go again and I've had a letter telling me it's time.

Yes - why don’t they offer self swabs to test for the HPV?