Ladies - how fussy are you when it comes to getting a smear done?

bettyB_2

mine kept getting pushed back, i turned 21 then it changed to 25 so i had to wait ages. grr. I spent a lot of time thinking if there is something wrong with me and i dont find out for 4 more years cos they changed the age, i'd be so angry!
I was glad when i finally got a letter askin me to book mine, i was keen to get it done and off my mind! It was not a nice experience at all, not the nurses fault i suppose, but it felt really horrible! But i couldnt have put it off after jade goody and having to wait an extra 4 years to be eligible for the test! Luckily the results were normal so I dont have to go back for 3 yrs thank goodness.

danielle1977

I lived in the usa from 16 to 22 years old and went to planned parenthood for birth control-every year you had to have a smear test, chalmidiyia, iron and a few other things tested so I was really surprised when I came back to england and found out I didn't have to have it every year. I just do it-had to in america otherwise not birth control and I didn't want a baby!

Careful_with_that_Axe

I am embarrased to admit that it is over 10 years since my last smear test and as I am now Menopausal, I am feeling that this is something I really must just get on with.
After a bad experience, I am now almost phobic about smear tests. However, I also used to be terrified of injections, but since developing a chronic condition some 8 years ago, they are something that I am quite used to now. I am hoping that if I bite the bullet and just go and get it done I can bear the fear iyswim.
I've just moved house and am about to register with a new GP and hope I can get this sorted as part of the registering process. After the Jade Goody publicity, I did get as far as booking an appointment but ended up cancelling it out of fear.

Some very good advice given to me by a friend was to tell whoever is carrying out the procedure how fearful you are and ask them to use a small speculum. Am hoping I can get an appointment this week whilst my resolve is strong!

sock-knitter

thanks to everyone on this thread, i've finally got round to booking a smear test for wednesday afternoon, i'm absolutly dreading it, as every time, it hurts,

Murtle

Thank you for starting this thread!! I hate them. I don't mind booking them, I don't mind stripping and lying on the couch. I do mind when they hurt me and make me bleed. However, I'm sure when I next get the dreaded letter I will book an appointment, this time for the morning so I don't stress about it all day.

My male Doctor used to do them and he was fabulous, but he retired and so now I get the practise nurse.

I am liking the sound of the lie on your side sounds much more comfortable, if I remember I will ask if they can do it that way instead!

sarah*a

bargainbetty wrote: »

My doctor's surgery have the nurses do all the smear tests - both ladies are very quick and gentle. It helps that they have different equipment - they don't use the horrible metal speculums, or even the plastic versions (I find the 'duck-billed' bits pinch you on the way out.

Our nurses have hollow tubular speculums (sorry, for size guidance think 'unimpressive') that slip in, hold everything in place and then slip out again. Easy as you like, completely untraumatic and less fuss all round. Ask your surgery if they have the more gentle option available, and if a nurse is heavy-handed, don't ever be afraid to say so. If you don't tell them, how are they supposed to know?

The nurses at our surgery had just started using these when I had my last one (18 months or so ago) and they really are a lot easier to deal with - and the nurse explained that they also reduced the number of repeat appointments due to 'not enough cells' as the testy-wiggly-stick thing they collect the cells on is different too - my last one was the first time I haven't had to go back for a second go :T

aliasojo

Just a quiet wee word of advice ladies, don't have sex the night before your smear. You may find the sample is no use because it's 'too gunky' and it has to be redone.

Mine is this week too. Good luck sock! Sure you wont need it though.

aliasojo

Well...did you go sock?

I'm sat here getting more nervous by the minute :rotfl: < nervous hysterical laugh. (Mine is this morning.)

How long do the results take? Cant remember if anyone said?

Careful_with_that_Axe

aliasojo wrote: »

Well...did you go sock?

I'm sat here getting more nervous by the minute :rotfl: < nervous hysterical laugh. (Mine is this morning.)

How long do the results take? Cant remember if anyone said?

Bless you. I'll feel exactly the same way when mine is booked, so I understand.
Just keep in mind the thrilled and "YEEEES" feeling you will have when you come away from the appointment. Will that help get you through?
Will you come back and update is how it went? IYSWIM? :D

*Kat*

I just had my first a few months ago at the family planning clinic, I only went for a repeat of my BCP. She was evil!! She was like, "have you had a smear test"..."no..." "would you like it done"..."no" lol

But I got it, it wasn't too bad in the end and think it's really necessary that we do it and I like the thought of it being someone different from my dr. lol