Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

I'm so ashamed but very scared.... Smear tests

68 replies

aterribleworrier · 29/11/2006 12:52

I am late 20's with one DS and i hate to admit it but i've never had a smear test.
I am totally petrified of going (even after an awful labour!)my GP always mentions it and i get letter after letter but i just can't do it. The first problem is that i wouldnt go to the GP because i think i'm almost too close to them so i've found the nearest clinic that will do it, but i just dont want to go.
I think this stemmed from having an infection when i was younger and being so embarrased when the GP 'took a look'.
I know this is probably a stupid thing to say but i dont need a lecture (i get enough from my mother and DH!)but i know i should go and dont know how to get over this hurdle. I even think that there 'could' be a problem but i'm just to scared to lie there whilst they do it.
HELP!

OP posts:
Original poster
aterribleworrier · 29/11/2006 13:55

Santagotstuck.... i'm so glad its not just me... i was starting to feel a bit lonely!

Do you think you'll ever be able to go? I sometimes really gee myself to go but then bottle it! I've even rang the clinic but then hung up.... i just never feel its the right time to put myself through it.

OP posts:
SantaGotStuckUpTheGreensleeve · 29/11/2006 13:56

I've done that too, rung and hung up. It's stupid because we are thinking of having another baby eventually and that scares me much less - although if we do, I will request a caesarean because I start getting short of breath if I think about some of the internals I had with ds1 - pure agony.

I think it's possible I won't ever be able to have one

BudaBeast · 29/11/2006 13:57

What about some hypnotheraby beforehand to help your relax?

And I am sure the nurses are very used to people being nervous.

SantaGotStuckUpTheGreensleeve · 29/11/2006 13:58

Hypnotherapy is expensive!

LaylaandSethsmum · 29/11/2006 14:06

Is it the actual smear you are afraid of or the results?
Please bear in mind that over 80% of smear are normal and less than 1 % ever detect actual cancer, abnormalities that are found can be easily treated or, as is the case with many women, they go away on their own.
A smear is never a pleasant thing to have but there are much worse things, the nurse will be very used to anxious women coming for their smear.
You know you should really go for it and will have to just bite the bullet and go!!

Original poster
aterribleworrier · 29/11/2006 14:10

It's a bit of both... for many years i was thinking "whats the point in going when they can't treat cancer?" But then i realised that if caught early enough - they could!
I think i was making up reasons not to go...
Now its just the fact that i dont want to lie there with my legs akimbo and my fanjo on display. And i'm not a shy person, i dont have an issue with myself, its just the thought of someone else being down there!

OP posts:
LaylaandSethsmum · 29/11/2006 14:14

As someone who has taken hundreds of smear tests on all different shapes, size and ages of women I can honestly say I do not take any notice of what they look like, i'm concentrating on finding the cervix and then counting how sweeps i have taken, then its done. It is purely a practical task and I do not regard it as any different to dreesing a wound for example!

Original poster
aterribleworrier · 29/11/2006 14:20

I think i need to get myself into action and just get on with it... Get someone to have DS and take a pal and just do it. Perhaps i should post a I'VE DONE IT thread afterwards... but dont expect it to be too soon though... this will take some guts!

OP posts:
juuule · 29/11/2006 14:28

Please go.
My mum had cervical cancer and was afraid to go for a smear. She was too embarrassed and preferred to ignore until too late.
Believe me, cervical cancer is not something you want to ignore. It is something that is relatively easy to treat in the early stages (as 2 of my cousins can verify) and it is not something you would want yourself or your family to have to go through if you ignore.
Find a friend, a long skirt, lunch, whatever it takes to make you feel better about it. It takes 2 minutes. The GP or nurse whichever have taken mine have always been very friendly/professional about the whole thing. They don't bat an eyelid. I don't like it much either, but it's better than the possible alternative. Even though the possibility of anything being wrong is very small.

madmarchhare · 29/11/2006 14:33

Hey all you who havent been.

My neighbours sister did mine. See, it could be worse.

Get it booked.

DetentionGrrrl · 29/11/2006 15:18

It's never bothered me going...once they've seen one fanny, they've seen them all. Also, i've never had one hurt. I have however watched someone die from a cancer they ignored until it was too late. Go.

hotandbothered · 29/11/2006 15:27

So glad it's not just me... I had an internal 6 weeks after having my dd - completely unexpected and I had nightmares for months after. Don't know why I feel like this, but it makes me very determined to be open about stuff 'down there' with my dd. My mum never talked about stuff like this and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. 35 years of 'no sex before marriage' talks has left me with a major problem. Where do you live aterribleworrier? We should go together!!!

Original poster
aterribleworrier · 29/11/2006 15:42

I'm in warwickshire and have found a clinic in Solihull... is that any good to you?

OP posts:
clevergirl · 29/11/2006 16:53

hello fellow worrier,

do you need someone to tell you what it feels like to have a smear? It is a horrible word really to describe something that takes minutes...
I agree it would be best to talk to a nurse first and then book a longer appt. Also have someone look after your little one whilst you are at the doctors.
Have there been things before that you have dreaded and were they actually as bad as you thought?
I do understand, i get acutely embarrassed about that sort of thing - i can't even talk about sex on mumsnet! good luck!

sleepycat · 29/11/2006 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lou33 · 29/11/2006 17:16

I hate them too, especially as my cervix is high and tilts, so it's always uncomfortable, but my mum died of cervical cancer so i do them out of respect to her, if nothing else

it's a few mins of your life which could be so important

zippy34 · 29/11/2006 17:17

I've just given birth so the memories of the internals are still very fresh....

I also had a smear just before I conceived.

I can honestly say to you that there is no comparison between the two. Having the smear is much, much, much quicker and (for me) didn't hurt at all. The nurse often chats away to you to take your mind off it so it's over before you know it.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 29/11/2006 17:22

I don't like them either. I mean - who does?

I've been putting mine off and am now booked in for Tuesday.

Hotandbothered - I had one at a 6 wek check up once and it was truly horrible, but honestly none of the others have been that bad. It was just that everything was still very sore post delivery.

Please go worrier, you too Greeny and everyone else who's putting it off.

jalopy · 29/11/2006 17:46

Aterribleworrier, my sympathies. I hate them too. Well done for posting. It will encourage others to go for one too. There's lots of support here for you.

Ok, promise us that tomorrow morning, first thing, you will make an appointment. We will be here to check No pressure!!

Remind yourself that the practice nurse has to have smears too!

Issymum · 29/11/2006 19:48

Had mine done this afternoon. It was over in the space of a minute and was mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. It assists if you can relax as the speculum (or whatever is) is inserted. Easier said than done but sighing out a big breath at the vital moment can help.

pesha · 29/11/2006 20:34

I had my first ever smear earlier this year, aged 27. I had been putting it off or forgetting about it for years, id made a few appointments over the years but then made various excuses and cancelled them. But after a year of getting pains in my lower abdomen I decided i really had to do it.
It wasn't pleasant but it wasn't that bad, wasn't nearly as embarassing or awkward as id expected and the results were normal (no idea what the pain is but thats another thread!) and now I feel abit silly for not having been sooner.
And while im definitely not looking forward to having another one in a few years time I will be going and I wont be putting it off again. Its not nearly as bad as going to the dentist!! (which I have to do tomorrow )

tubismybub · 29/11/2006 22:30

I had my first smear test in ten years last week, like you i didn't want to go to GP so went to local family planning.

Just take it a step at a time and remember that you have total control. Make the appointment and tell yourself 'I have an appointment but I can stop the process at anytime if I need to so i'm not going to worry about it again until my appointment day'

On the day of your appointment tell yourself 'I'm going to the clinic but I can leave the waiting room at anytime if I want to'

When you are in the waiting room tell yourself 'When my name is called I will go in but going into the exam room doesn't mean I have to go through with it' Noone is going to physically pin you down and make you have the test.

When you get in tell the person who is there to take the test how scared you are, they will understand and they will want to reassure you they won't bully you and at any point remember you have control and can leave, but i feel sure that you WILL be able to see it through.

I'm sure this seems like an over simplistic way of looking at it, but I really think it helps to remember that YOU have control over what happens to you and your body. You can do it, just one step at a time and don't worry about the next step until you've done the first x x

hotandbothered · 29/11/2006 23:17

Darn I'm in Surrey so guess I have to face it alone terribleworrier!...
You've all done a really good job in making me realise I have to do it. THANK YOU!

peanuts36 · 30/11/2006 09:40

Aterribleworrier, i to am a terrible worrier, but you owe it to yourself and your family to go get it done. Honestly, it is over in a few minutes and whoever does the test has seen it all before!!nobody likes getting it done, and nobody likes sitting waiting for the results, but hey, just imagine the relief your gonna feel when its all done and over with!! This simple procedure saves thousands of women lives. please go. Treat yourself to something nice afterwards. I know your gonna worry, i know exactly how you feel! x

peanuts36 · 30/11/2006 09:54

Bananknickers. I have just read the facts that you posted. I found it very helpful. Thanks!