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.

Yes. Thats the point. People can find out on their own but I want to encourage people who haven’t been to try.

I love the title.
Thank you for raising awareness.
I am sure some ladies that i know have cobwebs and dust up there.

Yeah, there’s a few articles about it should be offered if you google left lateral position there’s well, a diagram!

I’ve had 4 mammograms. The first was awful. The rest have been fine. Not relaxing or fun particularly but fast and not painful - just a bit, um, squishy.

I never look forward to them but will happily go to any routine mammogram screenings, knowing they’re not too bad.

Is just England that'll be posting them out or will it be scotland as well? I am about 10 years overdue mine.

I’m so sorry if my post annoyed people. Genuinely want to encourage people to go if they haven’t before. It was a non event - for me.

If you’re nervous for any reason, tell them when you book. See the head fanny checker!

But I am so kicking myself for not having had regular smears before now - even if it wasn’t pleasant I still should have done it. I don’t like seeing the dentist but I still go. For some reason I just couldn’t face the whole smear thing. Extreme shyness and head in the sand and assumed all would be ok. Very silly of me.

Again, sorry if you’ve had a bad experience but they’re fine for the majority and I’d hate people to be put off. As others have said, I think gynaecological cancers sound way worse.

I’m in favour of anything that encourages more people to attend OP so more power to you. I’m the same about mammogram. I know it’s uncomfortable and squashy but I was diagnosed with breast cancer early last year after a routine mammogram. It’s lobular cancer and doesn’t present with lumps - by the time other symptoms appear it’s usually advanced. I wouldn’t have known it was there if not for the scan and it saved my life.

Well done OP! I can factually say that having a smear is a million times easier than having advanced cervical cancer treatment. Whatever you read here please don’t be put off, it could genuinely save your life.

I nearly posted this yesterday but didn’t, though thought this was the perfect opportunity…

I bumped in to a lady yesterday, our children were good friends, so we spent some time together for the kids etc… Kids are older now so we’ve lost contact, albeit still have each others numbers and social media.

I always remember her saying she wouldn’t go for a smear as she was embarrassed - which I found quite strange considering she had two children. I know it’s not pleasant but it’s worth it obviously as it could save your life. I used to say you should really go etc etc but her life and all.

Anyhow she told me she had been off work as she had cancer and I asked what type and she said cervical. I said I’m sorry to hear that etc etc. She’s had weeks/months of intense Chemo/radiotherapy and something else and she’s awaiting the results. I thought what a sad sorry and avoidable situation. What a hard way to learn a lesson. Worse thing is, even if she gets the all clear, she’ll have to go for regular checkups moving forward.

Go for your smears ladies, it’s not worth the alternative.

So glad it was diagnose early and hope you’re doing really well now

Wtf

I've had a few that were completely uneventful. I was quite smug in my complacency when my last one became due.

No idea why, but for the first time it was horrendous. Felt like being punched inside with scissors. I actually yelled and I'm sure the nurse thought I was being dramatic but I'm usually stoic with pain and this was so unexpected.

So I guess, in delightful contrast to your Op, this is a PSA to warn that just because its painless for years, you really never know until the appointment!

Agreed! I went along to my first one when I was invited, thinking nothing of it because most people always says it’s fine. It was absolutely awful and extremely painful and I really had to push myself to go to the next one, which was exactly the same experience as the first

Not sure if I’m traumatised by the age I was around the time of Jade goody, but I wouldn’t dream of missing one whether it was painful or uncomfortable etc. I had one a few weeks ago and the nurse told me they’re now 5 yearly due to the HPV vaccine. Not ideal as I wasn’t vaccinated (not by choice, I was just on the cut off age when it came in). I don’t have health anxiety but I wouldn’t risk missing stuff like that, I want to see my children grow up.

You can still get a new case of hpv in a monogamous relationship as it can lay dormant in your body for years.
Isnt the HPV check to assess your risk level and then they do go on to check for abnormal cells if HPV is detected?

Thank you. I had a lumpectomy in November last year, but they didn’t clear it all and I had a mastectomy a couple of weeks later. Thankfully now been given the all clear after radiotherapy and other combined treatments. The thing that scared me witless was the fact that had it not been for the mammogram I’d never have known it was there, and at diagnosis the tumour measured 13cm !!

I think these examinations are so important and I would encourage everyone to attend when invited. I don’t think you should dwell on the fact that you’ve missed other smear invitations - I think the important thing is that you’re going now. Some on MN may take issue with your post, and I understand that some may have had a bad experience but it doesn’t compare with the unthinkable alternative.

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

Yes. Don’t assume the rest of us also missed our check ups. Clickbait title also patronising. Sure shout out to all who still don’t go but better ways to do it rather than an annoying way.

Although uncomfortable, the problem isn't physical for me but psychological.

Chose to do the last one at an out of hours GP to avoid the few nurses who work at the local surgery from seeing my very hypertrophic inner labia. I don't even undress in front of my husband.

I had a normal smear 6 weeks post birth of my last baby and then 3 years later when I went back, was referred to gynae and I was diagnosed with Cin 2 pre cancerous cells. Had most of my cervix removed, and thankfully it hadn't spread. I had to have 3 monthly, then 6 monthly then annual smears for quite a few years so I'm loving being back to the 3 yearly ones again. I've got a tilted uterus/cervix and it's not nice but I'm still here thanks to having them. I'd rather have 48 hours of discomfort after than cancer.

I literally said I’m directly trying to speak to those who have never gone before. I’m not assuming everyone misses their check ups. Hopefully it’s the minority (like me) who were too embarrassed or worried to go.

I go every year as that’s what we’re supposed to do in the country where I live and it’s always fine. However in the UK it has always been mixed.

I must say though that not going is just foolish as dying from cancer is inevitably much worse and I say that as someone whose first smear test was done without consent by a male doctor who was sexually assaulting me.

If they are only testing for HPV, is it still necessary for someone who has had the HPV vaccine to have a smear?

Thank you. I’m not dumb. But I was unwise not to go. Name calling is never helpful and there are multiple reasons that people don’t go. Not because they’re “dumb”

I go, but it certainly isn’t painless for me. Your post is annoying.