This might be a bit too personal, but I've just turned 25...

PolishBigSpender

Any wrote: »

Me too. Better to be safe then sorry I think. But I think that only people of certain age are monitored so closely.

It differs according to the country, in Poland you are checked once a year if you are on a pill regardless the age. That's because the pill is some sort of intrusion in the organism.

Buttonmoons

I had my 1st smear (age 21) this year, it really wasn't painful, more like a deep itch inside you? It's an odd sensation, and I had period like cramping for the rest of the day. I was a bit embarrassed but the nurse was lovely, and was just chatting on throughout it, which I found great, except when she made me laugh :eek:

She then went through the whole procedure afterwards, how long to expect to wait for results, if anything was wrong then there is Stage 1,2,3,4 before cancer etc. It was all very reassuring though. I won't hesitate to go back for my next one (I had put mine off for over a year)

giantmutantbroccoli

I had my first smear (23) this year. I'm told that whether it hurst or not depends on the person taking the smear (i.e. how good they are at it) and the, uh, condition of the person getting it done iyswim.
Mine hurt like !!!! because the nurse used the wrong size speculum and apparently I'm an awkward shape. Plus I was extremely NOT relaxed. I wasn't embarassed though, the nurse was very professional in her manner etc. She said they've seen, smelt and heard it all - after I apologised for swearing at her
If you're worried about it hurting, take painkillers before you go - that's what I've been told for next time. Solpadol also works as a sedative, so it'll relax you nicely too. A friend of my mum's used to get a bit tipsy before she went and said that seemed to help. Of course only do that if you don't have to drive to get there!

Penny_Watcher

You know, I'd rather have a cervical smear than have a check up at the dentist. And I don't have a problem with the dentist, I just find it more uncomfortable than the smear test.

You'll be fine OP. Just relax as much as you can and it'll be over very quickly.

**skinnyminny**

I had my first one when i was 19 as i went to my docs and he was happy to let me have one which now i realise was very lucky as some people are mafde to wait far too long IMO.
Honestly it is not as bad as you would be led to believe and is really over in 5 mins, i was glad i went as it actually showed some abnormalities which led me to need a colposcopy which i was terrified about as i was 6 months pregnant but believe me it was nothing compared to labour:eek::rotfl:
I have had another 3 smears since then to be sure all is well and luckily it is, i have no embarrasment anymore as they really have seen it all before although i always take femfresh wipes with me before just so i feel better:o

I am sure you will be fine so try to relax, it will be over with in a flash, good luck

ElusiveLucy

Having had pre-cancerous cells just diagnosed for the second time (I'm 45), I can say that however bad you find a smear test, please don't put it off.

Personally I find it a bit embarrassing but then the nurse has probably seen every shape/size/colour etc before and probably think "oh god, not another 10 smear tests to do today before lunch!".

BitterAndTwisted

I'm a middle-aged woman so I've had loads of them now. It's not my favourite pastime but there's no reason to worry. As said before, the professionals have seen it all before and I don't suppose there's a vag in this world that they haven't seen the like of before you popped onto the table. Most of them are quite aware that the majority of woman are pretty modest and find the prospect of a smear or internal exam very embarrassing so they will do everything they can to make you feel as at ease as possible. The nurse at my GP's practice is very, very chatty and it's really quite difficult to concentrate on being embarrassed when you're distracted like that. The way I try to make myself relaxed when it's going on is to wiggle my toes, as it's quite difficult to concentrate on being embarrassed when I'm doing that to distract myself. When you're even a tiny bit distracted and relaxed the procedure is much less uncomfortable and is over very quickly. Nearly every single person who has carried out this procedure on me has warmed the speculum first and I hope yours does too.

Afterwards, you'll be wondering why you fretted so much about it, I promise you.

elfen

Or, to distract the nurse, do some grooming and make your lady garden a funny/different shape. I don't like smears, for me they are uncomfortable cos I'm quite small (it's a pain before sex too.....TMI...two fingers is more than enough!) I don't like them for other reasons too, and I tense up but can't help it.

iamana1ias

Doesn't bother me in the slightest.

That might just be because I have a very pretty foof though

iamana1ias

elfen wrote: »

Or, to distract the nurse, do some grooming and make your lady garden a funny/different shape. I don't like smears, for me they are uncomfortable cos I'm quite small (it's a pain before sex too.....TMI...two fingers is more than enough!) I don't like them for other reasons too, and I tense up but can't help it.

I think you'll find it is in most cases! Not many can manage a whole fist! :eek: