Anxious about smear post menopause... Please be kind

[omega4ever]

It's been 14 years since my last smear which was normal thankfully. I've put off having a, smear for years, but recently due to another health issue I'm considering having another one.... Hopefully my last.

I always attend mammograms when invited. No prob with them.

I have always found smears horrible, both ultra embarresing and painful and I get really stressed beforehand. I did in my early 20s have some abnormal cells and a LETZ proceedure which was so horrid it put me off having regular tests. I'm now 56 and post menopausal... Have been on Hrt for 5 years... . Rarely now have penetrative sex. Taking oestrogen and continuous ultrogestron.

Is it worth putting myself through another smear or should I just leave well alone now.... I always used to tell myself cervical cancer was most prevalent in younger women, so I'm maybe beyond the high risk stage and needn't worry.

Apparently screeing is offered untill 65 years!

Are smears more painful and embarresing post menopause? Anyone got any views or suggestions or experiences pls.

Please be kind with replies... Im trying to do the right thing and be logical and brave, but I'm terrified... Which is ridiculous.

That's good news- well done.
Might you consider using vaginal estrogen?
It's got nothing to do with being sexually active - (unless that's needed too)- but it's about keeping your vagina and bladder healthy.
It's really the equivalent of using hand cream or face cream to keep your skin moist and stop it splitting and getting sore.

@JinglingSpringbells - can you buy this OTC or do you need a prescription?

I have similar clinical history to you OP. I’m on HRT now and for the first time found my smear painful. My womb is small and high I think the nurse said. No idea if this is a physical change due to ageing but smears have always been pain free until now. But it wasn’t an awful pain and over in moments

@ProseccoOnIce You can buy Gina as it's called OTC and it's the equivalent of Vagifem- so it's a small pessary not a cream like Ovestin.

You may need to answer some questions, as it's only licensed for women aged over 50 who are post menopause.

You could try online OTC- no idea if this is available- like Superdrug where you have a remote Q&A session with an online or pharmacist.

This is a bit of a nonsense, as women under 50 and in peri can get it from their GP, but I guess it's a step in the right direction.