Smear....nurse couldn't take sample, anyone else had problems????

[Eggybreadwithnuts]

In my 50s, went for a smear today. Always been ok usually in and out never ever had a problem

Well nurse couldnt do it. Said she couldnt see or open up all sides to get a swab. She had me with my fists under my bottom but still could do it. So got to go back.

She said its very common and not to worry. She said the menopause can close everything down and you become much drier and the muscle isnt soft enough 🤷‍♀️
Only thing I can think of not had intercourse fpr a long, long time.

Got to go again in a couple of weeks...its a different nurse next time.

She said if same happens might have to have pessaries for 2 weeks so everything softens up and easier to do!!!!!

Anyone had anything like this at all???

Yes, this has happened to me although pre-menopause. She was rummaging about up there for ages and just couldn't see my cervix despite optimum positioning. It was so traumatic i reversed into the car behind me when i was trying to get out of the parking space afterwards, luckily no damage done and lady in other car really understanding. I went back a few weeks later and it was fine.

I lost my DH when I was 47 and have not had sex since then. My last smear at 60 and it was so so painful. She managed the do it but said next time they’d give me some sort of hormonal gel to use to, as you say, soften things. But I declined my last call for one.

I don’t get why providers are only suggesting topical oestrogen to make smear tests possible. If vaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause is diagnosed topical treatment is best taken consistently forever to keep us more comfortable. It will thicken and strengthen the tissue and restore elasticity. It’s super low-dose with little systemic absorption and there are very few women unable to use it.
I’d suggest requesting topical oestrogen to help before your smear test, then continue using it afterwards. First line treatment is usually estriol cream or estradiol pessaries. The benefit of the cream is it can also be used externally on the vulva.

Check out pages 14 (symptom checker) and from page 24 for further information https://menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Menopause-Support-Booklet-V2.pdf

I dont have a problem with anything no dryness no utis etc so dont feel as if I need anything ongoing. Hopefully next try will work

@Eggybreadwithnuts I agree with @over50andfab You should be using vaginal estrogen not just to enable a smear be done but for your longer term health (of vagina and bladder.)

You need to ask for topical vaginal estrogen and re-book your test in several weeks because it's highly likely the same thing will happen again.

Also, it's not just about 'access' but getting enough cells. If there is atrophy, it's hard to get enough cells for a viable test. And then it comes back as 'not enough cells' and needs to be done again 3 months later.

Go and talk to your GP?

But you do have a problem because your vagina has closed up and they can't access your cervix.

Sorry to be so graphic.

Also, it will be very hard to get enough cells for the sample if the cervix has dried out. So the sample will be useless and they will need to re-take in 3 months.

Go again and cough hard when on the table.
It lowers the diaphragm and she'll be able to take a swab!!

Ive taught this hack to several nurses

Wgat actually is it and how do u use it?

It's very simple.

You can choose between a cream or a tiny tablet (they call it a pessary).
You insert the cream with an applicator ( a bit like a tampon) or insert the pessary the same way. If you can't manage to insert like that you can use your finger.

You use it for 14 days in a row, then anything between 2 and 4 times a week to keep everything healthy. If you stop, it comes back.

Ah ok. Errr sorry but what comes back?

Being graphic, again, your vagina will close up again or they won't be able to get enough cells for an assessment. And as you're eligible for smears till 64, that's a few smears to go!

It's like putting moisturiser on your face or using hand cream - if you stop, they get dry again.

I know you say you aren't 'dry' but the fact is that the vagina shrinks (in width and length) and this makes access harder. Also, although it seems contradictory, some women who do have atrophy have a very watery discharge, which makes them think they aren't dry, but it's a symptom of atrophy.

Ok get it. So even though never had any probs before, and this maybe a one off, its best to carry on using regardless. Never even heard of this so thank you. So ask for topical vaginal eastrogen. Small pessary sounds quick and less messy maybe.

Just read yr last bit....thanks In on it!!!

I was on hrt 17, years. Moved at the point of a scare,so new GP refused to prescribe it. It was oral. I still have a sex life,assumed I had no issues, never suffered vaginal dryness..I suddenly developed lower abdominal pain,urinary symptoms,was found to have a cystocele. First I was using estrogen cream on the vulval area, plus tiny vaginal tablet on a small applicator, twice a week now. I have vaginal atrophy, everything shrinks, causing various prolapses. I have 2 friends who refused to use HRT, both have cystoceles, both have to date had them operated on 3 times, unsuccessfully. One, actually a relative is waiting an appointment for uro/gynae now. She said she wasn't bothering with the vaginal tablet because she's been divorced many many years. I have a ring pessary now holding the bladder in place. The lack of estrogen also caused eczema and I was in agony.

That happened to me and oestrogen pessaries enabled me to have one a few weeks later. I still use them and will continue to do so for the rest of my life I think for genitourinary health

Note: there needs to be 5 ish days between last pessary and smear test otherwise they will refuse to do the smear for fear of contamination.

Didn't find that out until I was undressed on the table 3 days after my last pessary and the nurse asked - no one had said when I'd made the appointment 3 weeks earlier. Total waste of both of our times.

That's a disgrace. It's so well known , as well.

I’m not having another smear test due to the last 2 being so traumatic.
They don’t examine the slides unless it tests positive for papilloma. The nurse said it’s likely they will introduce self swabbing at some point and only call in the positives for smears.
I’m negative and in a monogamous relationship . 🤷‍♀️

Ovesse estriol cream can now be purchased over the counter too without prescription.

My understanding is that HPV can lie dormant for years and won't always show on a test. It only shows if it's active at the time of the test.
So, someone could have it and been infected 20 years ago and it then reappears.

@LewisFerrux nurse told me 48 hours before smear to stop pesseries.

Im going to try the smear again see whats what then if they cant do it will do the pessaries and disciss staying on them if need be

I’m in my 50s and this happened to me last smear. I’d never had any problems until around late 40s: nurse struggled but got there. Anyway, last time 2 nurses tried and couldn’t do it. Went back to see specialist nurse: tried everything she could think of and couldn’t do it. Was referred to hospital for colposcopy: they managed really quickly. Good luck x

If a woman can’t tolerate the opening of the speculum, or the cervix can’t be visualised fully coughing won’t make much difference at all.

Vaginal oestrogen can be really beneficial. It needs to be used ideally for at least a month, ideally two, before attempting a smear again.

You only need to stop it for 48 hours before taking a cervical sample.

Yes I had this. The nurse managed to get a sample but it was struggle. Frustratingly the sample was then insufficient so I had to go back 3 months later.

The GP prescribed vaginal oestrogen pressaries before the smear which massively improved the quality of the tissue and made it easier.

@FriendofDorothy how long were you on them before attempting the 2nd smear?