Painful smear test - any idea why?

justme111

How exactly adding lifting to spread and bent legs make the position more acceptable to you than the doggy one ?

suki1964

I'm put in the most embarrassing position ever I think

On my side with top leg draped over the nurse shoulder:(

Still, it's what works for us and she's quick

Thankfully I don't have to go so often now I'm old

First_Trouble

IceCold wrote: »

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.

My first smear hurt too, to the point where I felt stretched for a few hours after. Unfortunately this is still the case for me. I now ask the nurse that can she use the smallest implement and be as quick as possible. The nurses are usually very accommodating once you have explained that it's not that you are tense just small.

I find this helps along with deep breaths as I know it will be over in a few minutes. I asked my nurse why it hurt so much and she said it was likely down to the fact that I hadn't had any children.

Luckily they are only every three years.

seven-day-weekend

I just want to encourage all of you young women to keep going for your smear tests, even if it hurts and even if it is embarrassing.

A young friend of mine, only 23, has just been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

It DOES happen to young people.

At my advanced age I won't get called for any more, but will probably pay to have them privately.

First_Trouble

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I just want to encourage all of you young women to keep going for your smear tests, even if it hurts and even if it is embarrassing.

A young friend of mine, only 23, has just been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

It DOES happen to young people.

At my advanced age I won't get called for any more, but will probably pay to have them privately.

I agree, smear tests and regularly checking your breasts is very important. Don't take your health for granted; it may hurt or be uncomfortable and extremely undignified but it is worth it.

System

My smears are never 'pleasant' my cervix is pretty high up and i have to use the legs bent and 'cough' method.

Thank goodness its every 5 years for me now. On the downside i have to have my boobs squeezed between two metal plates every 3 years but i am grateful for the health checks.

ripplyuk

I used to have them done at the family planning clinic and it was never painful at all. The gynaecologist did it herself and always used a very small speculum. Last time, I decided to just go to my GP's surgery and let the nurse do it, to save a bit of time. Never again:eek:
She used a huge speculum, despite me explaining everything. I screamed at her to stop and remove it but she refused and kept going. I was bleeding for nearly a week and the 'area' felt cut and raw for longer.

I'll go back to the family planning next time!

KxMx

I just had a painful one; painful I think because the Nurse just shoved the instrument in far too fast and rough. Once it was in I was fairly ok with a few deep breaths (the scratching sound freaks me out though!)

I also bled for far longer than after my previous test.

I don't use the word painful lightly- i've had cameras up & down multiple times (some without much in the way of drugs), 2 units of blood (so 6 hours) transfused into a hand vein and a cannula in my foot after 13 yes 13 needle sticks couldn't get it in elsewhere.

I canvassed opinions from various females in my life, and they all pretty much said as i'd had one before with little pain it was likely to be the Nurse's technique, and not to go back to her again. I won't be despite her doing my first fine and no problems with anything else in the past 10 years.

Of course, the results are nearly overdue and i'm paranoid i'll have to have another soon lol due to abnormalities or lost sample etc!

:rotfl:

LottieLou

Didn't want to read and run, but just wanted to say you are completely normal! And just because you experienced pain this time, does in no way mean it will be the same or in any way similar next time.

You say you were relaxed etc but sometimes the tension is subconscious. You are naked from the waste down, in bright lights, with someones head 'down there' holding a speculum! and they wonder why we don't look forward to it :rotfl:

Please people don't be put off by doing it, just tell the practice nurse you are nervous or to go slow.

I always put my hands underneath my bum and tile upwards, apparently it helps ( and it don't have a fancy positioned pelvis/cervix etc)

I have vulvodynia and have never been able to use a tampon. Sex is difficult, so a smear is right up there of the difficult/ pain scale. If people like me can go, anyone can go bear it (As long as theres nothing else going on) and get it over with.

If you do have unbearable pain, talk to the practice nurse about it whilst you are there she could do some more swabs/ investigation!

analyticalglory

Hi, good for me that I haven't encountered a painful paps smear done by my doctor. Actually, I remember her that she used to instruct me to stay calm and just open my mouth with my legs wide spread while doing the said procedure. I guess, it also depend on one's ob gyne.