Painful smear test - any idea why?

Mrs_Ryan

Blimey- I don't miss these. At all! Just wanted to say well done OP and they're important things to have even if not very nice!

IceCold

Well I got my results back today (that was quick!) and they were normal so I don't have to have another one for another three years.

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 also felt a bit weird down there afterwards and for about a day afterwards. It didn't hurt, I just had this sort of odd uncomfortable feeling down there. I think I might just ask for a smaller speculum next time.

The nurse even asked me if I was sexually active after the second attempt. I don't know if that's a normal thing they ask you when you're lying half naked on an examination table with your legs spread or if she was trying to figure out why it was hurting me so much.

KxMx

It's quite normal to feel a bit sore or strange down there after a smear test. You've been scraped internally without even thinking about what the speculum does.

Had my letter too at last.

Armchair23

No two women are the same and no two tests are the same.

However relaxed I might think I am I've got me knickers off and someone is shoving something up my fanny and not in a nice way!

I'm an old dear with two kids and a few gynae ops and still a smear is something I'd never look forward to. But I can cope because the alternative is just to ignore the risks of cervical cancer and early and successful treatment.

I'm watching a friend die of cervical cancer because she thought as she was older & post menopause missing a smear wasn't that important. Boy did she get that one wrong.

Feel free to seek out the best help you can, nurses at sexual health clinics are amazing so if you didn't feel confident at your GP's have a think about another option.

catkins

LottieLou wrote: »

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!

I've had vulvodynia for about 9 years now. Luckily I don't have to have smear tests as I had a hysterectomy almost 30 years ago.


Sex is not possible at all for me

System

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.

You're completely right

My best friend recently had her first (overdue) smear test and the results came back abnormal and she has tp have bits lasered (sorry i don't know the term for it)

Her expereince has spurred me on to finally bite the bullet and get mine done next week.

I have to admit my fear isn't the actual examination, ironically its more the fear of being told i have cancer (long story but short version is i wouldn't cope with it and i've been hiding my head in the sand for many years)

I do realize it's important to do though. Have to get it done at the GP as the family planning clinic have sadly stopped doing them

LottieLou

catkins wrote: »

I've had vulvodynia for about 9 years now. Luckily I don't have to have smear tests as I had a hysterectomy almost 30 years ago.


Sex is not possible at all for me

It's nice to hear from someone else who knows the pain (but not nice at the same time as I wish it didn't affect you.)

I first remember getting symptoms at 14, realised there was something not normal about it at 17 and diagnosed finally at 21/22! 15 years of my life so far & it looks like it's here to stay. I would love to know what a 'normal' vagina was like :rotfl:

Sorry to hijack the thread! And please don't answer this if its too personal catkins but have your symptoms changed since you had your hysterectomy? There is a study in Oxford looking into the links between vulval pain and hormones! X

MallyGirl

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

You're completely right

My best friend recently had her first (overdue) smear test and the results came back abnormal and she has tp have bits lasered (sorry i don't know the term for it)

(

colposcopy. I had 2 of these about 20 years ago and they didn't remove enough the first time. Not fun.
Smears are always pretty uncomfortable for me and the last one came back as unreadable results meaning I have to go through it again. I have been putting it off but will make an appointment soon.

catkins

LottieLou wrote: »

It's nice to hear from someone else who knows the pain (but not nice at the same time as I wish it didn't affect you.)

I first remember getting symptoms at 14, realised there was something not normal about it at 17 and diagnosed finally at 21/22! 15 years of my life so far & it looks like it's here to stay. I would love to know what a 'normal' vagina was like :rotfl:

Sorry to hijack the thread! And please don't answer this if its too personal catkins but have your symptoms changed since you had your hysterectomy? There is a study in Oxford looking into the links between vulval pain and hormones! X

I never had any problems until 9 years ago when I was 51. Just found it impossible to have sex so went to the doctor. It took quite a lot of hospital appointments before it was diagnosed.


I guess I am lucky in that I had been married for 25 years when I got it and my husband has been wonderful.


I was told by the hospital originally that most cases just go of their own accord after about 3 years. The last appointment I had, in September last year, the consultant said it was doubtful now that my will go. I do find that upsetting but it's not as though it's life threatening. I don't get that much pain, it's just the no sex that is the problem.


I have had a few different medications but none of them made the slightest difference and a couple had horrible side effects.


I'd never heard of it until I was diagnosed but apparently it is fairly common (just not talked about)

Agutka

There's a smaller speculum??!! :mad:

Horrendous pain for me, but I go regularly. I get told to push bum up on hands. But then I can't bite my hand as I wait for it to be over. *just relax* really? *$€¥#!?€
Then can't walk properly and feel raw all day. When I first started having them my results were coming back as inconclusive, so every few months those first two years.
Just last week the nurse said "your smear is due" *panic attack* "oh, 2018, never mind" then she took my blood pressure :rotfl: