Painful smear test

[GB50]

I had a smear test today and it was really painful like something pinching me really hard inside. It is the first one I have had with the new plastic speculum rather than the old trusty steel one, performed by a young trainee practice nurse and also the first since I went through menopause. Previously I have had no issues at all with pain in having a smear taken, hardly noticeable.
I have read a few things about this on the internet and there are any possible reasons not least the ghastly expression of "vaginal atrophy". I should probably see the doctor about this but wondered if others had any experiences or advice to offer.

I have painful smears which make me bleed as my cervix won’t open hence c sections and have had reparations ones many times as that reason urgh

I know in menopause the lining of the womb thins out and makes things like sex and penatation painful. Did you take pain killers before ?

Maybe the speculum was not smooth or the trainnee was nervous and not gentle

If your worried see a nurse practitioner and explain how it was but if you’ve no bleeding it should be okay but always worth a check up

Hope the results are good xx

Sorry lining of vagina walls thin out not womb = painful penitation

That is what they feel like to me too. I sympathise with the pain you felt! I guess it's just a waiting game now. I wouldn't blame it on the menopause alone. I've felt the same pain at some smears.

I always request a small speculum. The standard ones seem huge!

If it was a trainee they may have caught the cervix in the speculum as they took it out? That can make it feel like there’s pinching. Vaginal atrophy tends to make the bulbs and vagina feels dry/itchy/burning at other times. If your worried you could see your GP or GUM service

*vulva not bulbs

I used to get this. Incredibly painful. Discovered my cervix tilted left and is hard to reach. Since then i always take pain killers and tell the nurse where to look. Helps a lot. I think they use a larger tool to find it! Had tests at the time but came to nothing. Just one of those things. I'm fine now. Had a coil fitted the other day no worries.

Really helpful all your comments. Thanks!