The dreaded smear test.

[LabradorsandTiels]

Anyone got any tips for how to deal with it?

Booked in for Friday as I got a letter through and everyone told me how its important.
I know it is but the last one was really awful!

Anything I can do before and or during? Going to take some painkillers beforehand, not sure if ibuprofen or paracetamol is best?
I really don't want to skip this one as I cancelled last time eek

I was absolutely dreading mine, so I can imagine how you feel. It was over and done with so quickly. I took a couple of ibuprofen an hour before.

Good luck OP, based on my experience the anticipation was worse than having the smear to be honest.

But I still used it as an excuse to treat myself to something after! Have it done OP, it can be a lifesaver.

Got my first one on the 14th August but had a baby 10 weeks ago so surely cant be too bad.... trying to reassure myself... x

Ask for a small speculum if they can. Ask them to tell you when they are going to insert it. Just before they insert it take a deep breath and as they insert it breath slowly out. It’s impossible to clench your muscles and breath out at the same time. The speculum really is the worse bit. It will be over with in 5 minutes.

Remember the nurse has seen thousands of these before and she will not remember yours specifically.

DO NOT CANCEL.

Good luck x

I have had a smear with both a female nurse and a male dr. I found the male doc to be better. Ask if they can do a quick internal 1st to locate your cervix before inserting the speculum. The speculum needs to be as large as you can comfortably accomodate, it makes locating your cervix easier. The last thing you want is him/her having to reinsert 3 or 4 times. I also find if you go to a clinic that does other gynae stuff they will have stirrups for your feet which makes if easier, bit awkward but miles better than on a normal couch. Hope this helps.