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General health

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Original poster

I've NEVER had a smear test. Someone please slap me!!!

60 replies

steviesgirl · 01/04/2009 19:02

I really think I could be potentially risking my health, but I'm too bloody scared and embarassed to have one! I know, I'm pathetic. I'm 29 (30 this year), and have 1 dd who's nearly 3. A midwife even told me I needed a post natal smear.

Mumsnetter's please remind me that it's nothing to worry about and give me a good kick up the arse!

OP posts:

lockets · 01/04/2009 19:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

HeadFairy · 01/04/2009 19:48

I don't know, I seem to remember a friend saying she'd had hers done once and they'd used the larger speculum usually used on women who've had babies and that it really hurt her. Perhaps she was talking crap.

Meglet · 01/04/2009 20:04

When I had my last colposcopy they had to get a smaller speculum for me as I've never had a vb. I expect its the same for normal smears. This must be a time where the 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work.

ItsMargotBeauregarde · 01/04/2009 20:08

Tell yourself that you're going to treat yourself to something afterwards. Something you don't normally do. Like a cup of coffee and a slice of Carrot cake, or an Orla Kiely handbag!!

I don't know what to say really because I don't love them much......... It's something I make myself do and I always reward myself afterwards because I feel like a martyr hero.

Haylstones · 01/04/2009 20:12

It's nothing to worry about. Honestly.
Please book it!
FWIW, I had an abnormal smear at 19 and had a colposcopy and all was OK- I was petrified as was dh, my brand new boyfriend at the time. All smears since then have been normal, thankfully. This was in Scotland where you don't have to be 25 to have the test. I dread to think what might have happened had I lived here in England at that age
The NHS isn't generous enough to offer tests to people if they really don't think they're necessary and save lives- worth thinking about?!

HeadFairy · 01/04/2009 20:18

Thanks for that meglet, I'm going to mention it to the nurse on Friday even if they do have one size speculums. Don't want her to assume just because I've got ds with me he was born via vb.

supergluebum · 01/04/2009 20:30

Right Catinthehat1, in 3 years I will check all tools for socket wrenches! It was definately cold so unless they'd been keeping the plastic in the freezer...euuugh.

But that said, I am currently being looked after by the MOD, so we're bound to be at least 10 years behind! Yikes!

supergluebum · 01/04/2009 20:32

Which bit's the speculum? I was opened up and smeared once by a doc that used the wrong kind of (not spready, but scrapy) thing, ifaik it was for throats, so had to do it all again...marvellous. Is the speculum for opening? Or scraping?

snice · 01/04/2009 20:33

They do have different sized speculums I'm sure as I remember my sister freaking out years ago and they found what they called a virgin one to use on her(unless they were just humouring her!)

HeadFairy · 01/04/2009 20:36

The speculum is the bit that opens you up and reveals your cervix to be scraped tickled by the nurse.

LilRedWG · 01/04/2009 20:38

They do indeed have different sizes.

mosschops30 · 01/04/2009 20:41

and another in the other direction, get yourself off to the docs asap. There is absolutely nothing to worry about (youve given birth fgs how bad can it be )

(oh and yes they do have different size speculums virgin/normal/large)

HeadFairy · 01/04/2009 20:43

So do I count as a virgin? Can I claim to be a virgin again?

mosschops30 · 01/04/2009 20:44

Yes you can

(unfortunately I cannot, in real life or speculums ..... bugger)

Guadalupe · 01/04/2009 20:45

Well, I had a hysterectomy last year aged 30 after being diagnosed with stage 1 adenocarcinoma and I am alive and if I hadn't had a smear I may well be dead. So, go and get it done. You did ask for a slap.

HeadFairy · 01/04/2009 20:46

mosschops, thanks

wannaBe · 01/04/2009 20:47

I haven't had a smeer for about nine years.

In fact it's been so long that I'm afraid to for fear of what they might find.

HeadFairy · 01/04/2009 20:47

Sorry guadalupe, that was rather frivolous in light of your post. Glad you're well now.

supergluebum · 01/04/2009 20:50

Ok well luckily I have no knowledge of what size speculum I have ever been subjected too!

I don't think that born again virgin will ever be a tick box on my form...ho hum!

Guadalupe · 01/04/2009 20:52

Oh don't worry, there's no way for me to say it in a lighthearted way really. I do feel obliged to pop on the 'is it bad that I've never had a smear test threads' though!

The plastic speculums are much better these days btw. I am always surprised how quick it is though we all dread them.

theDreadPirateRabbits · 01/04/2009 20:52

EasterEggsintheSky · 01/04/2009 20:57

Yay, I'm not the slackest! In the smear stakes obviously... after DD who knows....shuddupEasterEggs

Original poster

steviesgirl · 01/04/2009 23:36

Thanks all you lovelies for waking me up!

I will make an appointment tomorrow; and I promise I will tell you when I've made it!

.......

SLAAAAAAAAPPP!!!!!

OP posts:

trixiethepixie · 02/04/2009 00:27

Steviesgirl. It is honestly nothing to worry about.

I had been stressing for years about never having had one done either and a few months ago decided to bite the bullet. Was 29 also. Ds was born by cs so I didn't had the whole been there, can do this no probs mentality.

I was shaking like a leaf but the nurse was lovely. She kept talking the whole time and yes it was slightly uncomfortable but not painful and over in seconds.

I will never put it off again. Those couple of weeks wait for the result brought it home to me how stupid I had been with my health and how it could affect my life with my ds. The relief was immense when everything came back normal.

Ring the gp's tomorrow and get the first appt you can.

Original poster

steviesgirl · 02/04/2009 00:46

Thanks trixiethepixie. That's the trouble when you've only had a CS delivery, you're just not used to opening your legs so much! lol

No seriously, I'm making a big fuss about nothing, and risking my health.

I had a really awful trip to the dentist the other month, and it felt like half an hour of torture, though I wasn't as worried about that before hand because teeth are in your head and not "down there". A smear must be far less of an ordeal ultimately and over in a few minutes.

I must tell myself that the nurse has seen more fanjo's than I've had hot dinners. Must repeat, must repeat! lol

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