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.

Because they do a visual check for abnormalities as well. It’s not just about the swab.

No you are being horribly patronising, bossy and annoyingly flippant. For some of us it is agonisingly painful, so quit the smugness.

OP isn’t smug, she’s trying to raise awareness. Grow up.

It's great that it was a painless experience for you. It's not the same for everyone, some people do find it very painful. Some people find it very distressing, particularly SA survivors. That's not to say we shouldn't all go for one. The reality is that it won't be easy for everyone but it is likely to be worth it.

Mine has always been painful because I had a tilted cervix (or something!).

Nurses were always so gentle and helped my get into a better position (put hands under your buttocks).

However since having my cervix removed as part of my hysterectomy a few years ago I also can’t deny never having to of through it again is something I’ll miss!!!

Well done OP for getting it done - the longer you put it off the harder it is to do it.

Your thread title also made me laugh and I’m also a little disappointed your nurse didn’t find a leaf up your fanny 🤣

I am sure op is posting from a good place and for good reasons. But, op, if you have had one or more vaginal births then that makes a HUGE difference.

I have always found cervical smear tests to be incredibly painful. About 15 years ago I had a particularly horrendous experience with a half trained registrar who clearly didn't know much about female anatomy, kept trying to force a speculum in at the wrong angle, causing me to bleed, before giving up and trying to blame me ("oh well the vagina dries and tightens up with age")!.

After that I insisted that I would only do it under general anaesthetic. That got me an appointment with the gynae consultant (not a registrar) ... and it was then I discovered (after decades of pain) that speculums come in different sizes and if the right angle of approach is utilised then entry is really quite easy.

Since then I have insisted on being tested at a specialist service (usually the contraceptive service) - not the GP, or an overworked nurse at the GP's, but someone who understands women's bodies.

I would add to this - if you've had a bad experience please try and go again when due. I put it off for months and was dreading it after a bad experience. Finally went and it was a different person doing it and I genuinely barely felt it. I cried in relief

Quite. I'm 40 and have never had one. I know I should, but am absolutely petrified. This attitude of "of course theyre absolutely fine, don't know what the fuss is about" is one of the things I find really off putting. I need the practitioner to understand how frightened I am, and not dismiss my concerns.

Thank you for trying to help people Op. I need to make an appointment and will prioritise one ASAP.

I didn't know people have routine mammogram appointments. Is that something I can just book through the GP, even without worrying symptoms?

Edited because of typos - looked like an ape with a typewriter wrote it.

Is it worse or better after birth? I found it better but the nurse did say everyone tells her she's good!

Just had the all clear following LLETZ to remove pre cancerous cells picked up at a routine smear!
Wont be ignoring that invite again!

My smears are horrifically painful. So is sex. I bleed after both.

I am currently going under investigations for endometriosis and adenomyosis. So yes, there are many medical conditions to account for it. Vaginismus, PID, vulvodynia.

So please don’t assume in future.

So only because you have symptoms did you decide to go.
Women and health care providers have been informing women of the procedure for many, many, many years.
The information is out there. There is A LOT of support for women who are reluctant to go for whatever reason.

I am glad you've been OP, but I find your Public Service Announcement a bit patronising.

FWIW, I had my first one since menopause just last week. After a lifetime of it being only a little bit of a prod it was actually pretty sore.

I`ve always kept my appointments up for a smear if others dont want them thats there choice.
Mine have always been ok and all clear untill my last one came back as HPV.
Hoping its gone by the time i have my next one done.
Id rather be safe than sorry.

YABU to assume everyone has or will have the same experiences as you.

Did you talk to the GP about the symptoms. Because the smear isn’t a diagnostic test, it’s an early detection screen, so if not, you should, because symptoms need further investigation.

Well, I'm not a medic but once you've pushed a baby's head through your cervix then a little speculum shouldn't be a problem?

@CherrieTomaties Apologies if I wasn’t clear - I meant that I have no other medical conditions which would account for the pain of my last smear test not that there aren’t any. I know they can be painful for all sorts of reasons and I’m sorry for the pain you’re in.

Yes, this!
I’m so glad you had a good experience and I believe you mean well op but for those of us who do have difficult experiences it can feel incredibly invalidating for people who don’t struggle to tell us that it’s fine.

I’m lucky as my local hospital run a special clinic for people who find it difficult and they’re brilliant…I think they even offer gas and air if you need it.

IMO, Yes.

I had the HPV vaccine in 2008 when it was first introduced when I was at school.

Went for my first smear age 25 - All normal.

Went for my second smear age 28 - HPV positive.

Went for my yearly follow up a year later - abnormal cells. So had a colposcopy (which had to be done under general anaesthetic).

Yes.
I’ve seen posts on mn from people who have had the vaccine with CIN , people who have been married 30+ years and adamant neither have cheated , people single 10+ years and even people who claim both they and their partner were virgins on marrying ,test positive for HPV .

Great work!! My smear test is about 7 years overdue and this post has actually convinced me to call the GP in the morning so your post has been successful :)

But for most people it IS fine.
It’s important that women are able to speak about their pain and advocate for better treatment and pain relief. At the same time every time a smear test is mentioned on social media the overwhelming response seems to be from women who find them traumatic. Their trauma is valid but it’s in the minority.

I worry that young women are being scared off the screening test that could save their lives.

Of smear tests? What woman isn't aware of them?

IM NOT TRYING TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE SMEAR TESTS.

IM TRYING TO REASSURE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. FFS.