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Original poster

Terrified of having another smear test

41 replies

reddisc · 23/02/2011 12:54

I really need a kick up the backside to make an appointment for a smear test as i haven't had one since 2001 & i had a dreadful experience that time .
Anyone got any experience of how i can overcome my fears ?
TIA

OP posts:

DeWe · 23/02/2011 20:29

I tried asking for an epidural for mine. (haven't been since 2004) (Male) Dr. said I shouldn't need one, so I said he should have one before he said that.

winnybella · 23/02/2011 20:33

I have them every 2 years.

They don't hurt now. At all.

Takes less than a minute- the test itself few seconds.

Just do it. Sorry, but it's a silly thing to be a wimp about.

Original poster

reddisc · 23/02/2011 20:36

I will let you know thanks sidge & lol @ fingers crossed not legs

earwicga thanks yes i could go to womans health clinic that my sister has recommended to me or my GP but i definitely want a woman to do the test [i know this sounds terrible but after my last test performed by a male doctor was so bad ] i hope my gp will understand when i ask for the nurse /lady doctor to do the test .
Hopefully i will be able to post here again next month & say it was not half as bad as i feared.

OP posts:

earwicga · 23/02/2011 20:39

Doesn't sound bad at all. I would request a woman if there was any chance of a man. But I've never encountered a male nurse or doctor at the FPC

earwicga · 23/02/2011 20:39

Don't know why that grin is there?!?

StarExpat · 23/02/2011 20:46

I was in this boat a few months ago. I went. It wasn't great but wasn't horrible. Then the result was unclear. So I had to get another and it was a doctor the next time, who was awful. I am terrified of anything happening down there with someone I don't completely trust... but I did it :)

Whatever happens, it's only a few minutes and you can do anything for a few minutes to ensure your health for your babies.

I suggest getting a female nurse to do it.

Original poster

reddisc · 23/02/2011 20:47

mmmmm theres two male doctors at Gp's & only one nurse but he does have a female doctor that stands in once a month so i'm going to ask for her or nurse to do the test.
winnybella i know i'm being a wimp but i really did have a horrible experience at the last test

OP posts:

needmyrootsdone · 23/02/2011 20:51

after having a 3rd degree tear during childbirth I was like this about smear tests. I told them to try with the slimest 'thingy' (what ever they use?!!) - they did and was so much better than any I'd ever had.

Original poster

reddisc · 23/02/2011 20:57

well done StarExpat but at you having to have it done twice

OP posts:

marriednotdead · 23/02/2011 21:12

I had a bad one when I was younger (done by a woman!), but the last one was so easy that I was surprised when she said she was finished

For reasons I won't go into on here, I insist on putting the speculum (sp?) in by myself, rather than climbing up the table with my knees clamped together whilst being told to relax... it makes the whole procedure easier for me and whoever is wielding the brush. Try it if you think it will help.

lurcherlover · 23/02/2011 21:43

I'm having smear test fear atm...I've never had a problem with them in the past, but DS was born 4 months ago and after my 2nd degree tear and stitches sex has been agony - only tried twice and it's so, so painful. Got the letter through a couple of weeks ago saying my smear is due...but how can I have a speculum put in when I can't accommodate a penis?? I'm being a bit head-in-sand about it but I know I need to sort this out. Just don't know whether to wait a bit longer to see if I will improve naturally (although it all looks pretty healed) or if I've maybe been stitched up too tight and need to be re-done. Grim

StarExpat · 23/02/2011 21:58

marriednotdead that is a brilliant idea! Will all nurses let you do that? Next time I need one, I may try that. It's one of the worst parts for me. cranking it open further and further... me crying and saying to stop it please and them saying "well you've had a baby. This is nothing"... doesn't help.

marriednotdead · 23/02/2011 22:18

They can't reasonably stop you, and most are absolutely fine, if a bit confused! Just ask them to turn it up the right way for you before you put it in.

They turn the 'screw' or whatever it is, but I ask them to do it slowly.

Any hcp worth their salt will realise that a tense woman needs reassurance that she is in control.

Have only had to argue the toss once, with a young male doc. I can articulate myself, even when upset and angry, and I was very cutting. I don't think he'll be so ignorant again. Grr.

Original poster

reddisc · 23/02/2011 22:21

That is exactly what the male doctor shouted at me during my last smear test starexpat while he ordered two nurses to hold me down, i felt so out of control & he was very rough, in the end the sample he took was distroyed as i bled very badly the pain of that was so bad i nearly passed out.

OP posts:

StarExpat · 23/02/2011 22:31

Have had similar experience reddisc :(
Just make sure it's with female nurse and be very assertive and honest before even undressing.

marriednotdead · 23/02/2011 22:39

for you both.

It should never ever be that way.

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