Cervical screening/smear tests

Blakelycakey · Dec 17, 2020

OnlyHereForTheLolz said:
I was very upset when I got the news I had an abnormal smear. My GP surgery hadn't even bothered to phon me I was sent a very generic letter with a leaflet. I phoned my mum crying (I am a bit of worrier bout my health) and she had me speak to my brother. And I tell you what, bless him, my brother actually explained abnormal smears to me in a very easy to understand manner and I loved how he did it.
He told me that basically an abnormal smear is like a mole that needs removing. You take care of it before it results into something like C. Now what a good analogy is that, I'm not worried about a mole as they are easy to treat and you know so is an abnormal smear

Oh my god thank you! This is what I needed to hear right now! Same just got the generic letter and leaflet and obviously turned to google!

Which is not your friend. But hearing you say it like that makes complete sense! Yes I would worry a little about a mole but wouldn’t panic and think the absolute worst like I have done with this. Thank you so much it has definitely calmed me down! Xx

OnlyHereForTheLolz · Dec 17, 2020

Blakelycakey said:
Oh my god thank you! This is what I needed to hear right now! Same just got the generic letter and leaflet and obviously turned to google! Which is not your friend. But hearing you say it like that makes complete sense! Yes I would worry a little about a mole but wouldn’t panic and think the absolute worst like I have done with this. Thank you so much it has definitely calmed me down! Xx

I'm so glad that helped, I use that analogy now with everybody because having moles removed is talked about more and doesn't seem so scary.

I had my cells burned away (can't remember what the procedure is called) and if you are having that done my advice is to pinch your nose shut or have something that smells nice under your nose.
I could smell my flesh burning and that smell still makes my stomache turn. Really wish they warned me about the smell

aaliyahplz · Dec 18, 2020

I just had my first one this morning I convinced myself to be brave and it wouldn't hurt that much but wowwww it really really did and there was so much bleeding like it was all over the sheet on the bed and the sample, she said it's because of hormones but even she was a bit like wtf that it is a lot of blood and I think it might be because of the pill i'm on but it was a lot more than I was expecting so hopefully that's normal bc there was a lot lol?

I think the overall experience was better than I expected because I got all worked up about it (especially when I received the letter asking to book because i'm not 25 yet and it was unexpected) but it was over quick and then nurse was really nice and it wasn't as awkward asI thought it would be, but she also had trouble locating my cervix idk if that's normal so i think it took a bit longer? Anyway glad I got it out of the way for now just super surprised by how much blood there was and the pain level because everyone convinced me I wouldn't feel it

now just nervous for the result because I have anxiety

JLXRD · Dec 18, 2020

I feel a bit like in an attempt to encourage people to go and not be afraid they’ve said the whole ‘you barely even feel it’ thing, so I’ve been so used to hearing it didn’t hurt that I panicked when it did.

Better I went and did it obvs so it worked.

Blakelycakey · Dec 18, 2020

aaliyahplz said:
I just had my first one this morning I convinced myself to be brave and it wouldn't hurt that much but wowwww it really really did and there was so much bleeding like it was all over the sheet on the bed and the sample, she said it's because of hormones but even she was a bit like wtf that it is a lot of blood and I think it might be because of the pill i'm on but it was a lot more than I was expecting so hopefully that's normal bc there was a lot lol?

I think the overall experience was better than I expected because I got all worked up about it (especially when I received the letter asking to book because i'm not 25 yet and it was unexpected) but it was over quick and then nurse was really nice and it wasn't as awkward asI thought it would be, but she also had trouble locating my cervix idk if that's normal so i think it took a bit longer? Anyway glad I got it out of the way for now just super surprised by how much blood there was and the pain level because everyone convinced me I wouldn't feel it now just nervous for the result because I have anxiety

They always struggle to find mine as apparently I have a tilted cervix. But find if I make fists with my hands and put them under the small of my back so it raises your pelvis slightly more they can find it no problem. Just a tip for next time!

OnlyHereForTheLolz said:
I'm so glad that helped, I use that analogy now with everybody because having moles removed is talked about more and doesn't seem so scary.

I had my cells burned away (can't remember what the procedure is called) and if you are having that done my advice is to pinch your nose shut or have something that smells nice under your nose.
I could smell my flesh burning and that smell still makes my stomache turn. Really wish they warned me about the smell

Oh god thank you! I’m glad you’ve mentioned it I’m sure that would make me gag! Maybe a mint

least I have to wear a mask a guess every sliver lining! X

idk2 · Dec 19, 2020

I'm expecting my first smear letter through the post any day now! I am a bit apprehensive, I won't lie. As others have said, all I hear is negative experiences and my friends dont seem to take it seriously. I doubt some of them will even go to their appt or arrange one.

OnlyHereForTheLolz · Dec 19, 2020

idk2 said:
I'm expecting my first smear letter through the post any day now! I am a bit apprehensive, I won't lie. As others have said, all I hear is negative experiences and my friends dont seem to take it seriously. I doubt some of them will even go to their appt or arrange one.

I remember my first time and I was apprehensive. I told the nurse I was shy and a bit anxious and she tried to be gentle. I didn’t find the first time that bad only embarrasing.
The more relaxed you are the more comfortable it will be.
Try and focus on the end result which is you health

~vix~83~ · Dec 19, 2020

I had my 4th smear In the summer, my nurse was sick so had a different one but I actually knew her as my husbands district nurse

She couldn’t do it as she saw blood up there n needed to book a examination with a doctor. I suffer with medical anxiety so wasn’t good! Got appointment a week later and I was so worked up before I left the house but everything was ok.... I had come on that morning too

But they was able to check me n do the smear test and said might get a call back.
It was all ok. And that they can do a test if you’ve started your period light. And you can get different size test things, I’m small which is why I’ve always bleed afterwards.
I’ve Always said I’d rather a smear test than a blood test!

LS932 · Dec 19, 2020

My first smear I felt nothing (just uncomfortable as the speculum went in), but bled a bit so results came back inconclusive.

second one hurt quite a bit, bled again which prompted the nurse to ask me lots of questions. Scared me to death and was convinced I’d be referred to colposcopy but the results came back normal.

openbook1 · Dec 21, 2020

I have a terrible time with smear tests. I had a very traumatic medical experience to due with my tina when I was a teenager and as a result have "medical setting" vaginismus. Basically my muscles clench so hard from anxiety that the speculum can't go in, it hurts a lot. I tried Ativan and that didn't help. I have since had two tests done under a mild sedation. Both of them came back with insufficiant results so I need it done again. I was going to therapy to try to work through my problem but it stopped due to covid. It is exposure therapy so doing it virtually won't help.
My case of vaginismus is unique as I can have sex with my husband as I am relaxed. Many folks with it can't.
I wish you could get at home pap kits as I think I would be more relaxed in my own environment. Lol.

ChipsAhoy · Dec 21, 2020

I am ashamed to say at 32 and after kids I have never had a smear. I know this is awful, it’s definitely oh my must do / priority list

LaurieLaurie · Dec 21, 2020

I never feel a thing but I always worry when they comment on my ectropion.. cells on the outside of my cervix.

Blakelycakey · Dec 21, 2020

ChipsAhoy said:
I am ashamed to say at 32 and after kids I have never had a smear. I know this is awful, it’s definitely oh my must do / priority list

Please please go! I know is hard! I’m 34 with 3 little ones. It’s a pain making time to get booked in but quick and painless check... wouldn’t want to imagine the consequences if I hadn’t have chased my appointment up xxxx

blondelolita · Dec 21, 2020

My only smear was absolutely agonising, they couldn’t find my cervix and had to try different sizes and lengths and I bled a lot for a couple of days after. (Apparently I have a tilted cervix, so I found out). I would do it again in a heartbeat and I encourage anyone to.

ChipsAhoy · Dec 21, 2020

Blakelycakey said:
Please please go! I know is hard! I’m 34 with 3 little ones. It’s a pain making time to get booked in but quick and painless check... wouldn’t want to imagine the consequences if I hadn’t have chased my appointment up xxxx

Thank you fo this .... I’m definitely making it a priority

Blakelycakey · Dec 21, 2020

blondelolita said:
My only smear was absolutely agonising, they couldn’t find my cervix and had to try different sizes and lengths and I bled a lot for a couple of days after. (Apparently I have a tilted cervix, so I found out). I would do it again in a heartbeat and I encourage anyone to.

Me too! Was so embarrassing my first one! But after a few smears and having babies, I know the score! Once you know, tell them as soon as your laying down. I find if I clench my fists into a ball and put them under my bum so it lifts my hips up they can find it a lot easily with a longer speculum think it’s called lol

blondelolita · Dec 21, 2020

Blakelycakey said:
Me too! Was so embarrassing my first one! But after a few smears and having babies, I know the score! Once you know, tell them as soon as your laying down. I find if I clench my fists into a ball and put them under my bum so it lifts my hips up they can find it a lot easily with a longer speculum think it’s called lol

YES that’s the word haha! Glad I’m not alone, I feel like everyone I know had no issues and then there was me!

Babysnark · Dec 21, 2020

This subject makes me so squeamish and I dont even know why! I'm so glad people are talking about it though because it is so so important that smear tests are attended.

I had my first smear at 25, I also have a tilted cervix (cant remember but its right or left) which means its so painful to have a speculum inserted and I'm also a total stress head with apparently tight pelvic floor muscles (I can feel myself tensing even thinking about a smear!!). Unfortunately I had abnormal cells, HPV positive so had a colposcopy and biopsy at the hospital. Not an ideal introduction to gynaecological health!! I don't want to put anyone off going for their smear but the biopsy was probably one of the worst things I've had done in hospital (I've never had an operation though). However I do not for one second regret going through with it.

The results came back low grade and they said to have another smear the following year. I did and again it was abnormal - another colposcopy and the consultant at the colposcopy clinic then told me that I would be directly contacted by them instead of my GP to come back in a year to keep monitoring me which scared the tit out of me.

I went to my 3rd appointment last year, nervous as hell and everything is completely normal. It did hurt as usual so for those worrying just because it hurts doesn't mean something is wrong

Next smear is routine and 4 years away (5 from the appointment)

JLXRD · Dec 28, 2020

Got my results back and all clear

so I guess the pain and bleeding are completely normal like everyone said! What a relief.
Results were very quick too, when you consider I had the smear 15/12 and I got my letter 24/12 (they originally said could take up to 6 weeks!)

Blakelycakey · Dec 28, 2020

JLXRD said:
Got my results back and all clear so I guess the pain and bleeding are completely normal like everyone said! What a relief.
Results were very quick too, when you consider I had the smear 15/12 and I got my letter 24/12 (they originally said could take up to 6 weeks!)

So happy everything is ok