Bleeding during smear test

[christmaslog]

I had my third smear yesterday.

First was normal, second was abnormal (evidence of HPV) but colposcopy found nothing so was referred back onto the regular schedule of 3 years.

Latest test was agony as soon as the nurse inserted the speculum although she wasn't heavy handed and I've never had issues before. She struggled to open my cervix and as soon as she did I bled, a lot - the bed was covered and I had to wear a tampon after.

I'm really worried about what this could be? Bleeding has now stopped so not a period. Never had bleeding after sex before.

She swabbed for STIs and I'm panicking because I just broke up with a boyfriend and I'm not sure he was faithful at the end.

Can anyone offer ideas/reassurance?

I always bleed after smears, I have a cervical erosion apparently. It’s harmless, it’s when the cells which line the uterus grown on the cervix, as they aren’t as tough, they bleed. It happens after sex too sometimes.

I’ve had cryosurgery before, but it isn’t a complete cure, just stops it for a while.

I probably haven’t explained it very well, but it offers one explanation. It wasn’t linked to an infection, just one of those things.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm worried because I didn't bleed just after the test - the nurse said she could see all the blood pooled in the cervix when she inserted the speculum (sorry if tmi).

So not sure if it could still be erosion. I haven't had sex for a week or so.