Painful smear test - any idea why?

IceCold

I went for my first smear test yesterday. I wasn't exactly nervous as I'd already read that it doesn't hurt, only takes a few minutes, etc. The nurse also explained to me beforehand what she was going to do and she also explained that it might be a bit uncomfortable but shouldn't hurt and that if I did feel any pain at any point then I should tell her and she would stop.

So I got undressed, resumed the position and the nurse proceeded to open me up with the speculum and my God, it bloody hurt! It was so painful that I was actually crying out. She immediately removed it, she told me to try and relax and take some deep breaths and we'd try again.

So after taking some deep breaths, trying to relax (even though I was already pretty relaxed considering the situation and couldn't really see how I could relax any more) and having a general chit chat with the nurse, we tried again and pretty much the same thing happened. As soon as she put the speculum in, all I felt was pain and when I say pain, I mean actual pain, not just a bit of discomfort, I was actually crying out again.

She then said she would get a smaller speculum and put some gel on it. Even when she used the smaller one it still hurt a bit although nowhere near as bad as the previous two attempts. However the pain was just about bearable this time and she managed (finally!) to get the sample.

I did ask afterwards if it always hurt that much and she told me that if you're tense it will make it painful but hopefully my next one wouldn't be anywhere near as bad.

The thing is though, I didn't actually feel nervous or tense. Even though she kept telling me to try not to be so tense, I just couldn't see how I could de-tense myself any further.

Should I put it down to it being my first one or is there a chance all my smears will hurt like this?

Nearly everyone seems to go on about how they don't hurt, only take a second, etc so now I feel like there's something wrong with me.

UKTigerlily

Hey, I couldn't just read and run. I'm sorry it didn't go brilliantly but well done for sticking with it and trying again. I think if it'd been me, i'd've left!

It is different for everyone and usually doesn't hurt but it can depend on the speculum size, who does it (the Nurse where I go used to be very heavy handed but the new one is gentle and that makes a huge difference)

Sometimes things like Endometriosis etc can make it worse; sometimes it could just be as it was the first time you maybe were a little apprehensive even if you didn't think so (like subconsciously something can upset me or bother me even though I feel i'm ok, then I realise maybe I wasn't)

Maybe try a different person next time and by then you'll probably feel better knowing what is what.

Really hope you're doing ok now though but so glad you got it done x

heuchera

It really shouldn't hurt. I would try and see someone different next time. They always blame the patient, but in a lot of cases it is the person taking it who is at fault.

Fingers crossed it'll come back as 'normal'.

Haylescom

Hopefully this us a one-off as some nurses have a better technique then others, a bit like blood tests.
I have a narrow cervix which means my smears can be painful; the last one I had was by the same nurse I'd had previously who 'remembered' me! Sometimes the cervix can hide and they'll get you to cough. I'd imagine she'd have told you if that was the case though.
Fingers crossed your next experience is not as unpleasant.

Soot2006

Mine are always agony, leading to additional investigations to determine why they are agony ... Luckily those investigations concluded it was just "one of those things" (contracting muscles outside of voluntary control). I don't take chances with my health so no way I would miss a test, had long chat about it with GP and am now prescribed a muscle relaxant to take 1 hour before the smear and since then it's been absolutely fine and painfree.

Your experience could be a one off, but even if its not don't panic as there are options. In fact I even had a coil fitted (after taking my drugs!) despite being told horror stories. Best thing I ever did

lessonlearned

I think the clue is in your post - using a smaller speculum and gel.....

I'm afraid in most cases when pain occurs it's down to the poor technique of the practitioner, rather than any physical problems.

Obviously fear or nerves will cause the muscles to contract, hence the advice to try and relax.

Next time ask them to use a smaller speculum first.

Archergirl

Even if it is a bit painful, it's only for a short time and it is important that you have them, having one saved my life.....x

happy35

Mine are always painful, tilted womb apparently. I have mine done by a female GP as the nurses always make me bleed, said if GP couldn't do it my local hospital gynae would do it for me

donnac2558

Mine are always a balls up.

I am long narrow and neck of my womb tilts way back to the left. I once had one nurse have to try 3 different size speculum, I told her if the last one did not do it I was going home!:mad:

I was then told to go to the nurse who was an ex midwife as she was really good doing them.

heuchera

happy35 wrote: »

Mine are always painful, tilted womb apparently. I have mine done by a female GP as the nurses always make me bleed, said if GP couldn't do it my local hospital gynae would do it for me

OP, you can also have one done privately if you want to. It costs about £100-£200. They are always done by a gyn, the results come back very quickly and are more accurate (having not been rush-read by an overworked nhs smear test-reader) and they also do an HPV test at the same time :T

Not cheap, but £200 well spent, imo.

thisuseridistakenagain

We all have different bits and pieces. The whole situation is never going to be great, but persumably better for some than others.

Tilted womb, weirdy cervix, narrow err- whatever- I dunno what I'm talking about. Maybe you were clenching subconsciously or maybe she was pushing to damn hard. My first one was horrible and sore and I bled after for three days. After that they were fine. Don't let it put you off next time!!!!! (but try asking for someone else to do it)