Cervical examinations - bloody painful!

[Peonyyyy]

I’ve had bleeding in this pregnancy which turned out to be due to cervical erosion. It was good to get confirmation on what’s causing it but my god the examination hurt. Every smear test has always hurt me and I’ve now had 2 speculum examinations on my cervix in this pregnancy and they were done by different doctors, both hurt loads.

is it me or do they hurt everyone? I don’t get why they say it’s ‘uncomfortable but shouldn’t hurt’ is it just because they don’t want to say it’s painful because everyone would say no?!

do I just have a low pain threshold? Is it the shape of my vagina? I just don’t get it but I really don’t want to have another one if I can help it 😭

I wouldn’t say mine were painful in pregnancy, I’d say the higher end of uncomfortable but not painful. Although to be fair most of my cervical checks were once I was being induced and by then I was in far too much pain elsewhere to even notice when she was elbows deep in my cervix😂

My smears have never been painful though, just uncomfortable, and I have a low pain threshold so maybe a smaller speculum would have worked better for you? X

I never had checks in my last pregnancy- it ended in an early emcs. However I have had three smear tests and they were uncomfortable but didn’t hurt. I always ask for the small speculum if they have it and they have so far. It’s just the weirdest sensation and I don’t like it but it’s not painful for me.

I had 2 smears and didn't even find them uncomfortable. I was very relaxed though, if you tense up then it can be painful.
I had a few sweeps in my last pregnancy and they were very painful, made me cry.

I've had a buttload of cervical exams in the last couple of months. I've never found them painful, but different doctors have different techniques and depending on who has done it my discomfort levels have been varying degrees.

Not had issues with smears, but I had a couple of sweeps last pregnancy that were VERY painful

I found it so painful both times I was examined with the speculum that it made me even more glad I’m having a planned c section! I take my hat off to anyone that goes through a natural birth, it’s crazy the pain you have to go through.

I actually remember my last smear which was last year (and first one after my son was born) wasn’t painful so I thought my days of it hurting were over and maybe my pregnancy had moved things a bit. But these examinations really hurt and it’s been 2 different doctors now. Maybe it’s just the way they do it in hospital? Maybe they rush a bit too much? I’m really not sure.

with the sweeps, do they say it’s going to hurt?

I find it crazy that us women have to accept so much pain.

I didn’t know there was a choice of speculum so I will defo ask next time! Hopefully I won’t need to be examined again but I’d never avoid if it’s needed.

• Hurt like hell. With the Marina Coil they can give you meds so Dr Nighat Arif says on instagram. If they can do it for the coil can they do it for smear tests etc for those who have had incredible pain. It may be different in pregnancy.

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