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Original poster

Smear tests are very painful for me

58 replies

Googleboxfan · 14/11/2021 18:20

I am 45 and I've not attended for a smear test in over 12 years because it is so painful for me.

I had fertility treatment at a private clinic and they also had trouble. The consultant said I have an inverted cervix she she literally had to put a few of her fingers in and 'flip it' into position.😵

Is it so painful for me I am too frightened to attend 😔

I do sometimes worry as my mum passed away with cancer in her womb.

My question is, is has anyone else had the same problem and if so did your doctor provide any pain relief or suggest anesthetic?

Thank you

OP posts:

thaegumathteth · 14/11/2021 18:23

Yes I find it really really painful but I remind myself cancer would be worse - I'm not saying that to be rude or glib , it genuinely is my thought process.

ChequeredHistory · 14/11/2021 18:28

Yes I do. I have the same thing plus it apparently veers off to one side. I always tell whoever is doing it what the issue is and how painful it is and they usually manage to find a position that makes it more manageable . It is always painful though but I relax as much as I can and breathe slowly and evenly. I dread it but have managed to go for each smear. If you find it unbearable I’d speak to your GP and ask what they can suggest. I’m sure as it’s important they will want to help you to be able to get it done. I think we are encouraged to just suck up pain from gynae procedures but it shouldn’t be that way. Ask for help. I hope they can offer something to make it possible for you to cope with it. Good luck.

canyon2000 · 14/11/2021 21:01

I have a retroverted cervix that is over to one side. Smears are always painful but I have been told to take paracetamol and ibuprofen 30 mins before which helps a bit. I just try to grin and beat it to be honest.

awishes · 14/11/2021 21:08

Yes I have the same and haven't had one for 17 years. The GP said "there are things we can do to help" but wouldn't tell me what. I have vaginismus and have no control over it.
I feel for you but it's more important for you to have it done considering your family history. Could you talk to your GP about possible slight sedation?

CatonMat · 14/11/2021 21:11

It's agonising for me.
Not discomfort, or painful.
I feel as if I'm being torn apart, both at the time and for a few days after.

I don't have any solutions, though, hence I am about 15 years overdue for a smear.

A580Hojas · 14/11/2021 21:15

Same here. I have been through a lumbar puncture investigating possible bleeding in the spinal cord and, separately, a cystocopy exam for possible bladder cancer. Both were a walk in the park compared to a smear test.

I am absolutely sick to the back teeth of "just a few seconds of discomfort". Like hell it is.

Runinwithangryvet · 14/11/2021 21:16

I have had cervical cancer even though I was up to date on smears. It was actually picked up through a routine smear at age 31. It was caught early (stage 1A) but means I now have to go for a smear every year. I find them SO painful and suffer lots of anxiety around them, which probably makes it worse in terms of tensing up etc. I now have gas and air for them. I have to ask in advance every time I book in, and usually have to remind them on the day, even though it is on my notes that I want/need it. I was also offered valium to take beforehand, but I declined this. Point is, if you advocate for yourself there are things they can offer you. You shouldn't have to skip your smear because of this.

CatonMat · 14/11/2021 21:17

Mine hurts the second they start to open things up.
It's such an intense pain that relaxing just isn't an option.

It's all I can do not to scream.

Orarewedancer · 14/11/2021 21:20

I have huge anxiety around having them and find them extremely uncomfortable and painful, though not to the degree you, OP, and others on here find them it sounds :( one nurse used a smaller speculum on me once and it was far far better and she advised I ask for this in the future which I do now, and it helps. Sorry if this is one of those suggestions that is like putting a plaster on a broken leg but hopefully it may help someone.

EvilPea · 14/11/2021 21:23

I’m another who has stopped going as it’s just so painful. They used to be fine and now they aren’t. I’m not sure why, potentially peri menopause????

I know for most it’s uncomfortable. But that’s not the same for all of us.

Sorry your in the same boat

Capricornandproud · 14/11/2021 21:24

I insist now on diazepam as a relaxant or valium as a minimum. I find them absolute agony and once you have one painful one, its impossible to ‘relax’. I would also push for sedation if necessary as I also suffered with vaginismus for years. Dont miss them when there are alternatives!

CatonMat · 14/11/2021 21:28

Mine are bad since I had laser treatment in my late 20s.

I hadn't ever had any issues before, but my gp at the time had a look and said "christ! They've taken a lot, and left rock hard scar tissue" as he tried to wrestle the speculum out.

CatonMat · 14/11/2021 21:29

I'm betting this thread will soon fill up with others who have severe pain.

Change123today · 14/11/2021 21:32

I feel for you. I have had treatment for pre-cancer cells 20 years ago and I think my cervix tries to escape when having smears!! I can’t relax :(

I find pain killers half hour before. I ask for them to use the smaller thingy and to help with my dodgy shaped cervix I have to put my hands in fists under my bum to tilt. I hate it but after having to have yearly for ten years then into every 3 years i know why I have to do it but wish I didn’t!!

FrasierCraneDay · 14/11/2021 21:34

I was sexually assaulted many times over the course of a few years, I can not tolerate any vaginal exams. For context both my children were born by elcs which my consultant agreed to with no argument.
I worked up the nerve to speak to the nurse about a smear (I'm 35 and not had any) her "advice" was to breath and "it won't really be hurting, it's all in your mind"
Well thanks for that

CatonMat · 14/11/2021 21:39

Lying on my side was fractionally easier, though I suspect it was through not feeling quite so much like a lamb to the slaughter.
It just hurts everywhere!
My bum, legs, stomach and everything.

jendifer · 14/11/2021 21:41

I have the same inversion but they’re definitely less painful than when I first had them done ten years ago.

I lie with my hands on my fists so my pelvis is raised: no pain at all.

RosesAndHellebores · 14/11/2021 21:42

I have a retroverted cervix or uterus and it has to be walked forward. I have even bled. I don't let nurses do it any more. I pay to see a gynaecologist. Funnily enough they don't hurt and neither do they make inappropriate comments.

stripeymonster · 14/11/2021 21:43

Yep - I'm in the same boat. The only thing which helped is after two nurses and my G.P. couldn't do my smear test and valium didn't help I was referred to the gynae unit in the local hospital. There one of the consultant fertility specialists sat me in the specialist chair tilted it up and did the smear in about 30 seconds with no pain whatsoever. None of that- just relax and rummaging around to try and reach my cervix. Unfortunately now I'm due my smear test again, my GP has retired so I'll be back to the standard nurses appointment again.

KeepDancing · 14/11/2021 21:43

I hope you can get the help you need. Many years ago I had a painful smear and I dreaded the next one. I explained to the nurse how awful it was and she said that I should of had a smaller speculum used if it was very uncomfortable, and it did feel so much better. Each time I have a smear, I request the size to be the smallest they have.

CatonMat · 14/11/2021 21:44

I always bleed, and usually need a pad for a couple of days.
And they always say that perhaps I have an infection, but I never do have one.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/11/2021 21:44

Me too OP. I have a tilted cervix. I feel like I am being levered open, and normally go and throw up afterwards. My sister’s best friend died of cervical cinder when she was 32 though, so I go religiously every 3 years, full of paracetamol. There is only 1 practice nurse who can do it vaguely right on me, it still takes her ages and it still hurts, but at least she doesn’t have to leave me there, speculum in position, to get help. Anyway,I will only make an appointment with her. If she ever moves, I think I will have to too

KatherineJaneway · 14/11/2021 21:45

For me too. I had my first years ago and it made me shout out loud in pain and the nurse looked at me like I was scum. Took over a decade to go again.

ChequeredHistory · 14/11/2021 21:46

I was going to say I wonder if Diazepam would help and see that someone has tried that. I have them as a muscle relaxant occasionally for a back condition and they certainly ease that. could be worth trying along with painkillers before. Maybe they could give you some stronger ones to take before you go? Definitely you need to ask the GP to help find something to make it bearable bearing in mind your family history.

CatonMat · 14/11/2021 21:50

I'm sure I read somewhere (here, perhaps?) that there is a DIY option of some sort?

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