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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:

teachermummyme · 14/11/2021 21:54

I'm the same, for the same reason - a tilted uterus. I've also had IVF and am terrified about my upcoming FET because my last smear was so painful I was in tears. It also transported me right back to having my daughter by forceps without pain relief, which was an added layer of panic during the smear!

When I expressed my fears to the IVF nurse, she said, with all due respect to nurses, IVF nurses and doctors are much more used to doing these sorts of procedures as it's the only thing they do, day in day out. With that in mind, I echo the person in this thread who said they pay to see a private gynaecologist. If that's an option for you, you might find it less painful. Otherwise, I would doubt that you'd get any anaesthetic before a procedure. I haven't actually taken paracetamol and ibruprofen before a smear so will do that next time.

Good luck. I hope you are able to get one done.

MigAndMog · 14/11/2021 21:58

Yes, so painful. I would rather have another C Section than a smear.

grapewine · 14/11/2021 22:05

I have the same. Unbearable. I go into hospital for the smear under general anesthetic. I'm not in the UK though. It's extreme but the only way it's possible, and I prefer it to possibly walking around with cancer I don't know about.

You have all my sympathy. It's shit.

DoryisinCuba · 14/11/2021 22:12

Another one here with tilted retroverted uterus. Smears are very painful and take ages for them to actually manage to get a sample. I usually bleed.which is not surprising after so long poking around (one smear took 25 minutes). Not to mention the lack of dignity as I contort into every position known to man in order to ‘help’, being obese unfortunately makes it harder still I understand (from here not from the nurse thankfully).

I dread the smears but do them each time. I have refused the coil as I just can’t cope with the idea of it.

Wavingnotdrown1ng · 14/11/2021 22:28

Some hospitals offer a clinic for ‘difficult smears’ and coil-fitting etc. This is where I have had mine done for the last 4 times, after some horrible experiences at the GP’s.

WildStallyn · 14/11/2021 22:36

I scream and cry every time. It's by far the most painful experience I've ever had. I always put it off for ages. And yet every nurse has told me everything appears completely normal. They always tell me to relax (I do), and ask me whether sex is painful (no) and whether I've has sexual trauma (no).

OneMoreWish · 14/11/2021 22:45

Me! I take painkillers, listen to music, go in every position they suggest even though it's humiliating, take deep breaths normally have at least 2/3 nurses have a go either in same appointment or follow up ones. I hate smears amd that impression that it I only took deep breaths and relaxed it wouldn't be a problem. Finally been referred to difficult smears clinic in women's hospital.

My sister has similar problems and is going under general soon so maybe it runs in family

Wish there was more awareness fof nurses/ practitioners that it's not the woman's fault for not just relaxing

DoryisinCuba · 14/11/2021 22:51

Wish there was more awareness fof nurses/ practitioners that it's not the woman's fault for not just relaxing

Very much so. I had one shout at me once which really didn’t help at all. It’s very difficult not to dread them if it is always difficult.

ChubbyBroccoli · 14/11/2021 23:06

@CatonMat

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

I was invited to participate in this NHS study: www.england.nhs.uk/2021/02/nhs-gives-women-hpv-home-testing-kits-to-cut-cancer-deaths/

It's basically like doing a Covid test but up your foof. Then you send it off and if you test negative for HPV you don't need to have a smear.

LalalalalalaLand123 · 14/11/2021 23:35

I find them absolutely excruciating OP, i end up in tears and the pain makes me almost pass out every time. But it's better than cancer.

ADreadedSunnyDay · 14/11/2021 23:47

I had an awful smear a few years ago. Nurse couldn't find my cervix or something - it was very high and backwards or something. She had to get the other nurse to help. And they had to try about 3 different speculums. The two of them took about 30 minutes to do the smear and I bled afterwards which I've never done before. I no longer like going and have to steel myself for it

DramaAlpaca · 14/11/2021 23:50

@jendifer

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.

This is what I was going to suggest as I have a retroverted uterus. Since the practice nurse suggested this position to me, smears have been much less difficult.

MichelleScarn · 14/11/2021 23:56

@DoryisinCuba

Wish there was more awareness fof nurses/ practitioners that it's not the woman's fault for not just relaxing

Very much so. I had one shout at me once which really didn’t help at all. It’s very difficult not to dread them if it is always difficult.

Same, the level of shame and embarrassment I felt after one like this was fucking awful.

thaegumathteth · 15/11/2021 00:12

It's interesting to see so many other people find it painful - what kind of pain ? For me it is a really sharp almost slicing pain like it literally feels like they are cutting me open. The nurse is always 'oh it's unusual for it to hurt' as if I'm being dramatic.

RedToothBrush · 15/11/2021 00:18

Why is this not taken more seriously and minimised so much?

Why is the narrative about women not having smears always that they are 'embarrassed'?

Why isn't there a proper public debate about this side of things?

The journalists that lurk on MN should get on this... There is a story that isn't being properly reflected.

Women's pain isnt real pain, don'tchaknow.

maofteens · 15/11/2021 00:24

My last was very painful and the nurse said next time they can prescribe a hormone cream that will help (I'm post menopause).

Hairyfriend · 15/11/2021 00:25

I too have a retroverted uterus, but never had the pain people have described! The most difficult thing is finding a position where they can see the cervix. One practice nurse was also a midwife, who advised I should always ask for a long speculum. I've never had issues ever since.

I also usually either sit on my fists or extra pillows, to tilt my pelvis up to help them view it better. There is a tickly, uncomfortable feeling, but never an excruciating pain! Also, some spotting after sometimes. I suspect some with dreadul pain might have vaginismus.

MichelleScarn · 15/11/2021 00:31

Exactly @RedToothBrush my 'embarrassment' came from being tutted and huffed and snorted in disapproval from the nurse for getting upset and being in pain!

lynntheyresexpeople · 15/11/2021 00:33

I have the same issues, when in labour and I needed checking they always had to pull my cervix forward, and it was worse than contractions or pushing! Smears are also agony, I truly sympathise.
My advice would be to chat to your gp, and ask for a one of dose of something like diazepam, to take the edge off. That is, if this won't interfere with any conditions or medications, and you have someone to accompany/drive you as it can make you very woozy!

Loveatortie · 15/11/2021 00:37

I have a tilted uterus, last time i had a smear test 12 years ago i was told i was frigid, not been called for 1 since

RedToothBrush · 15/11/2021 00:53

I don't think its wise to be advising women to take drugs for an invasive procedure that they dont need (screening is advisory rather than needed). There is clearly a problem with poor understanding from HCPs in this area and poor practice which is a major part of the problem. Women are being told that the pain they are having is all in the head or to drug themselves up to tolerate it. I mean seriously, why aren't women questioning how fucked up this is? Drugs have side effects and carry health risks in their own right (which may negate some of the benefits of screening in terms of harm).

There was another thread today on this where I've mentioned about the risks of screening including indirect harms from poor practice and promotion of screening. This includes a number of things that aren't actively 'measured' to see the extent of a problem.

Instead women are infantilised, told that concerns about mental health are invalid and not as serious as cancer (without quantifying the risk of either) or told they are selfish or simply embarrassed.

There aren't conversations about some women having biological issues which mean smears are more problematic and there arent honest conversations about a history of sexual abuse / assault etc etc.

Its just this rot about how you might die for you don't go for screening (again without reference to actual level of risk or understanding of the risk of harm directly from screening) or acknowledgement of the difference between screening and needing a smear for symptoms.

Its completely fucked up that there is such a silence or desire to silence women who raise different concerns and issues on the subject as if doing so makes these women almost heretical for not being enthusiastic promoters of smears or morally / physically weak for not enduring them without question because 'its for their own good'.

The subject always seems to draw out some utterly appalling attitudes and complete void of empathy.

ExPatHereForAChat · 15/11/2021 00:55

Echo what PP said about using a longer speculum.
After an excruciating smear test that took 20 mins, several speculum and me literally screaming as the nurse, the nurse finally tried a long speculum and it worked. She told me to request that for all future smears. No idea if this would work for others.
That smear has really put me off going again though, it was hideous.

CatherineCawood · 15/11/2021 08:30

I have always found smears a tad painful apart from my last one which was a breeze. The difference? The nurse used a SMALL speculum and does for everyone. What a difference.

Take 2 paracetamol and ask them to use a small speculum and hopefully that will make things easier for you.

Don't swerve it, it is important! Good luck OP.

EvilPea · 15/11/2021 11:55

I think the embarrassment comment is because they can’t say “for some women it is painful” when encouraging people to go.

I posted on here after my last one as it was so terrible I wanted to know if it was me, if there’s something wrong with me. And I got a bit of a bashing for putting people off.

colouringindoors · 15/11/2021 12:04

Another woman with a retroverted uterus who finds smears very painful. Interestingly it was only when my GP did my last one that she identified my retroverted uterus and explained that that was why I'd had so much trouble.

Interesting to hear re gas and air. I have smears very rarely due to the pain.

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