Had a really painful smear test, feeling upset (TMI)

[nothappy1234]

First smear recently. I'm 25 and technically a virgin but done other stuff

The practice nurse was nice enough. I asked her to use a small speculum.

Apparently my cervix was hard to find because of my long vagina- she then went in with the biggest one (with KY jelly). Popping it in was fine but once she cranked it open I gasped in pain and told her to stop, which she did for maybe ten seconds. It wasn't pass-out pain, but getting close.

Anyway it felt like she was moving the speculum around ("can't see your cervix") and pushing it in with such force, I could almost feel it pushing me up the bed!

Bled as soon as I stood up. I felt all shaky and pale afterwards. It was sore around my entrance for 2 days. I went home and cried in bed. Had a look with mirror and bright light- could clearly see the raw edge where she had torn what remained of my hymen

WIBU to complain? I assumed this was totally a normal level of pain until I went home and googled. Fucking hell, surely they don't have to open you up that wide!

Sorry for the essay.

[Chrysanthemum5]

I have had my last three smear tests with the same nurse and they all hurt and were unpleasant. Then my most recent smear was with a new nurse who spoke to me about previous experiences (I've never complained) and said she'd use the small speculum - I didn't even know they came in different sizes. It was a pain free experience and I felt my dignity was respected.

What I'm trying to say is that when it was painful etc I just put up with it because I didn't know it could be better.

[frazzledasarock]

I used to get this a lot. Then one HCP very kindly told me I have a retroverted uterus so my cervix points to my back.

After that I tell any HCP who’s looking down there this information.

Has made life a lot easier. And really delighted a student nurse who was sitting in on an examination and doctor in charge discussed what that meant.

Did the HCP say why it took time to find your cervix?

[nothappy1234]

Welshcakes that occurred to me too lol. Silver linings and all that.

frazzled , the nurse said mine is quite far in and to the left. She reckoned it was to do with being tall, which makes sense as I have a long back and abdomen.

I think I could have told her that actually as my vagina does naturally veer slightly to the left, I'm aware of it from tampons etc.

I am honestly not scaremongering here, I just wanted to gauge how common this is.

[nothappy1234]

Ps. Thank you for your considerare responses, I got over it pretty quickly and feel better about it all now.

[ginghamstarfish]

I've had problems too, last time the nurse tried, but couldn't do it, so went to GP who couldn't do it but referred me to a gyny at the hospital. She used a camera to find the right bit (and offered me a look at it), a nurse held my hand throughout, and it was the least horrible one I've ever had. I will be asking for this option next time.

[nothappy1234]

That's good gingham, I was wondering if I could do something like that next time.

[bluetongue]

Gwenhwyfar I’ve decided to opt out of smears for a number of reasons. They’re not compulsory you know.

You can bet that if I get the ‘smear lecture’ when trying to get help for another health problem I’ll be mighty pissed off.

[WelshCake2019]

@Gwenhwyfar so sex was enjoyable rather than painful 😕🙄

[dayslikethese1]

I agree blue, I feel like it should be a choice (they're always trying to get me to have a coil as well which I don't want). I have pain issues and tbh have found HCPs very unsympathetic in the past, get the feeling they think I'm making it up.

[mummymayhem18]

I completely get where you are coming from. I'm the same. Cervix not in the typical place. Since having my daughter 14 years ago I have found them excruciating. I cry out in pain and it brings tears to my eyes. It's normally when they open up the speculum and take the sample I find worse. Because of this and the fact I do suffer with a lot of external pain,repeatedly getting thrush,feeling cut down there which is why I'm overdue my smear by just over a year. I know it's risky but I just can't do it.

[nothappy1234]

Fs why is women's helthcare so shit in general!?!?
It's like decisions are made by clueless male health bosses or something. Oh wait..

[MountainDweller]

I had a terrible experience at my GP with a nurse who couldn't find my cervix on two occasions. I think I went 4 tines in the end for the 'same' smear because at the third attempt the GP she successfully tracked down my cervix but didn't get an adequate sample.

I've since been diagnosed with endometriosis and had a lot of scar tissue behind my cervix, I've always wondered if that distorted things a bit.

15 years ago I moved abroad and here it's always a gynaecologist who does the smears. They've been almost painless with her and very quick, even though I still have scar tissue behind my cervix (most was removed but the rest would need a hysterectomy). So I think it's worth it to have it done by someone who does smears all the time.

Hope you feel better soon.

[nothappy1234]

Good to know mountain, I'll try and get referred to someone else next time.

[Celticrose]

I never had any problems with smears but at my last the GP had difficulty getting it done (I am now post menopausal ) and as she was referring me to a gynecologist for something else she also requested that they did the smear. It was done by the gynecologist no bother.