phobia about smear tests

[constancereader]

Just wondering if anyone has successfully overcome a phobia of internal exams. I'm not talking about dislike, I mean a real phobic reaction that makes it impossible to carry out.

I haven't always been like this, I used to have them with no trouble, but various traumas I have suffered have resulted in this situation. I didn't even expect such a reaction, it came as a complete surprise when someone tried to perform an internal and I reacted in this way.

I have got an appointment with a very sympathetic doctor in a few hours in an attempt to get over this problem and I feel sick with fear. I was wondering if anyone had any heartening stories that would give me courage?!

Hi there

It went really well. The doctor was brilliant, and gave me total control over everything, even where she stood in the room. I had the controls for the bed. I managed to get to the point where she could see my cervix, this represents a major achievement for me. She let me put in the speculum which I then handed over to her and she explained everything really clearly and calmly.

Next time I hope to actually do the smear, I can't tell you how positive I feel atm.

Walnutshell I would definitely ask your gp to refer you to someone who specialises in helping smear phobic people, I can't believe how well it went today.

Thanks for all the support xx

ooh well done constance, look forward to the next installment!

Good news Constance - sounds like the session went really well. Take care of yourself and hope next time goes well.