Never had smear test, very nervous

LegacyUser

This may sound silly but I don't have any close female friends I can ask.

I've received a letter in the post calling me for my first cervical cancer screening test.

I'm mid 20s, and have had one boyfriend for years. Other than him, no one has ever seen me naked, I've never had any medical issue that required a doctor to look inside me and the thought of it is very uncomfortable to me even though I have a pretty good relationship with my doctor, and she is on the list to perform the check.

I'm a total sucker when it comes to pain for one thing and have heard all kinds of horror stories.
And probably worse than the pain is the thought of lying up on a table in my doctor's office with her looking up inside me and prodding me with an instrument.

I live in a rural region and I can't imagine my doctor has performed many of these tests. So I also fear that she would cause further pain by being inexperienced at doing smear tests.

I'm about an hour from Galway or Castlebar, and if there was a clinic there experienced with smear tests, I would happily travel to either. Any recommendations?

It's 2 months since I received the letter and I've now received a second letter expressing disappointment that I haven't taken the test.

I'm a natural worrier/anxious person so on top of everything else, no matter how hard I try I will be anxious waiting on results and god help us all if I get bad results as I won't sleep until it's resolved.

Sorry if this is dumb but could really use some reassurance from some girls who have had this done.


Mods this isn't a medical question so hoping you'll allow it to be posted here.

LegacyUser

Ah OP. Please please dont worry! There are 1000's of women out there like you who are terrified! It's understandable that you are worried and scared but you really need to just grit your teeth and get on with it! These nurses and doctors have done this a thousand times before, they are not going to be judging you!

Do not listen to horror stories PLEASE! Everyone is different - some women can be drama queens and exaggerate - others are miffed at what the fuss is about!

I am sure your doctor is capable of doing the test! If you have any worries, why dont you go down first and have a chat?

You need to get it done though, it's an important test I am a serious worrier like you, and I have to say I dont know what the big deal is about them!

Go - and dont be afraid

bp

I get why you are nervous it is a little uncomfortable (both emotionally and physically) but for me anyway it is over before you know it.

Sorry to be graphic but you hop up on a table and the doc will have a big light. They use what I would call a cotton swab to just rub the inside of your cervix.

It is done very quickly. You obviously have to take your pants off but the doc looks away while you are changing. Your doc should be experienced in this as most of the local women would be going.

It is very important to get the smear done and good luck

Neyite

If your doctor is on the list, then they would be doing a lot of them in your area, unless you are the only female for a 50 mile radius. Its not a highly technical procedure and is commonly carried out by nurses anyway so you should be fine.There was a family planning clinic in Galway but I cant see a current listing for them so not sure if they are still open.

Its a painless and quick procedure, but nerves can make it daunting. Honestly, once you have it done, you'll wonder why you felt so nervous. You can also ask to insert the speculum yourself and let the doctor or nurse continue with the procedure then, which might help if you are very nervous.

We cant give medical recommendations here on boards I'm afraid, but your best bet is to ask around your friends/female family members for a personal recommendation.

Big Bag of Chips

Honestly.... Your doctor will have done many of them!

It's not painful at all. Don't listen to horror stories! It is at worst *SLIGHTLY* uncomfortable.. but in total from start to finish, the whole thing probably takes about 20 seconds!

Really.

But please, please, please get it done. 20 seconds of very very slight discomfort every 2-3 years versus possibility of treatment for cervical cancer...

I know which one I'd pick.

You can wear a long top/dress to feel less exposed. Your doctor will have seen a lot more, (and a lot worse!) than your bits

As with everything new, or unknown the thoughts of it and the apprehension leading up to it is definitely worse than the deed itself.

You'll be relieved once it's done, and will then be able to advise others that its a minor thing, and nothing to be worried about.

username123

Its totally grand, Id rather it over so many other things like the dentist, reflexology, deep tissue massage - in terms of pain that is!

About being exposed, a long dress or skirt does really help, although these days I just whip my stuff off with no problems, when I was younger I was more self conscious and once put my foot clean through the bum of my knickers in my anxiousness to get them back on quickly after it.

Its really a big nothing but it is daunting to have it done for the first time. The doctor will be well capable of it, its quite an easy thing for them to do.

fibix

There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Like one of the ops mentioned before, it's not painful AT ALL, just bit uncomfortable having a doc operating whatever they operate down there, but it's done in seconds, that's all.
I always wear a longer tunic or a jumper, not to parade with bare bum but even if I had to - the doctor have seen it all and so much more. I just rang my doctor yesterday asking for the results and hearing "everything's 100% perfect" is SO SO worth those few secs of embarrassment.

Meauldsegosha

OP please don't read the horror stories on the internet. Remember for every horror story there are 100's if not 1000's of smear test that have no story attached.

I won't lie to you it can be embarrassing lying there with your bits on show. Even after 20 years I still don't look forward to it but then I remember the doctor/nurse has seen so many virgina's mine is just another blur to them.

The procedure itself can be a little uncomfortable but the key is to relax. I sing to myself, let the doctor/nurse do their thing and it is all over in a few seconds.

It is important to get the test done so please do it. Good luck

kylith

Try not to worry, OP, though I know it's easier said than done.

I would doubt that your doctor is inexperienced with smears, the majority of women over 20 would have one every year or two so your doctor probably does a couple of them a week, at least.

As for being embarrassed, again that's natural, but if your GP is a woman then she has all the same bits you do so it will be completely normal for her, not to mention that she probably sees much worse than someone's vagina on a daily basis.

Tell the doctor that you are nervous and to take it easy with you. I had a bad experience with a smear a couple of years ago and when I went for the next one (at a different practice) I told her that I was nervous so she used a smaller speculum and it was done before I knew it; I honestly didn't even feel it. In general it's slightly uncomfortable rather than painful.

Merkin

Nervous worries wrote: »

I live in a rural region and I can't imagine my doctor has performed many of these tests. So I also fear that she would cause further pain by being inexperienced at doing smear tests.

Well if you consider that every sexually active woman needs to have a smear done every three years then I'd say the woman could do it in her sleep. She will have a wealth of experience of doing them and it is also a very straightforward process so you have nothing to worry about.

Women who complain about the "horror" involved in a smear test are scaremongering and being overly dramatic.

You will go in, she will have a quick chat with you and then invite you to undress (your bottom half) behind the curtain. After you have done that she will ask you to lie on the bed and invite you to put a blanket over your bottom half to keep you toasty/preserve modesty. She will then explain the procedure to you and ask you to spread your legs wide so that both knees are touching the bed. You then simply relax (like you would when inserting a tampon) and she will slide the speculum up your fanjita and you will feel a barely perceptible "pinch". She will then slide out the speculum and will invite you to get dressed again (behind the curtain - she will leave and give you privacy to do so).

This woman has probably been acquainted with hundreds or thousands of fanjitas so there is no need to be embarrassed, she won't be. You will not experience pain, at worst a very momentary pinch. And I think if you're to look at the bigger picture, surely a momentary pinch is preferable to excruciating rounds of chemotherapy for cervical cancer because you couldn't face a smear? Look what happened poor Jade Goody.

You've obviously worked yourself up into a state about this (you really don't need to have done) so I'd advise getting yourself a little bottle of homeopathic rescue remedy or a bottle of Kalms (herbal) and take some an hour or two before the appointment.

Sometimes it's just a case of gritting your teeth and getting on with it and when you do you'll genuinely wonder why you built it up in your head like this.

LegacyUser

If you go to the ladies lounge and search there is a helpful thread on this topic.

I have had a few and it's not something that I look forward to. I make sure to make an appointment with a nurse in the clinic as she does them all the time, to her it's perfectly normal and she has seen it all. I always ask for a small speculum to be used as it is less sore. It is sore for a short period of time but it isn't painful O.P. the feeling won't stay with you for long trust me!

If it makes you feel better then by all means go to the larger clinic. The alternative is unthinkable you owe it to yourself to go and get checked it's really important.

username123

Merkin wrote: »

You will go in, she will have a quick chat with you and then invite you to undress (your bottom half) behind the curtain. After you have done that she will ask you to lie on the bed and invite you to put a blanket over your bottom half to keep you toasty/preserve modesty. She will then explain the procedure to you and ask you to spread your legs wide so that both knees are touching the bed. You then simply relax (like you would when inserting a tampon) and she will slide the speculum up your fanjita and you will feel a barely perceptible "pinch". She will then slide out the speculum and will invite you to get dressed again (behind the curtain - she will leave and give you privacy to do so).

Just to point out that not all GPs offer this level of privacy, my old GP had no curtain but she would discreetly turn her back and pretend to be getting something to let you disrobe.

Tea Tree

Galway family planning clinic is still there and you can have the smear done there.
http://galwayfamilyplanningclinic.goldenpages.ie/
Just ring and make an appointment.

I live a good bit out of the city but prefer to go there than to my regular GP for various reasons. No one questioned that at all.

I have to have a smear every year and I go there. Last year when I had it done I barely noticed and it was over. This year... well yes I definitely felt it but it was done in seconds. I had the results in a letter to my home address within 3 weeks.
Honestly it is over and done with so fast....

I'd echo what other posters have said OP. It's really not bad. I'd recommend wearing a dress so that you can just whip off your tights and pants and you'll still feel a bit covered. The doctor (in my experience anyway, and I've been to a few different places) puts a sheet over your knees, so to be honest it's not like everyone's just peering into you, it's more like they're looking at something else, you don't see it yourself so you can just detach from it. Just look at the wall/ceiling and leave them to do whatever it is they're doing. I find it more comfortable if I've gone to the loo first too, but that might just be me.

Bear in mind that most women do this. Your doctor gets smear tests. Your female friends (well probably most of them) get them. Putting the smear itself aside and considering the pants-down situation alone (which from what I can tell is the real issue here), every woman who's ever given birth not alone has had to be in that situation. It's very common, and nothing to be afraid of.

As for the pain, I've had my cervix cauterised (essentially, the lining burned), and didn't feel a thing. The vagina might be seen as a sensitive area, but really the cervix itself has very few nerve endings in it and doesn't really feel pain (according to the doctor I saw at the hospital). There is a certain level of discomfort with the speculum, but it's perfectly okay and as soon as the speculum is out it feels totally normal again.

rabbit.84

If you are very nervous but will to travel to Galway I would highly recommend dr Helen howley(think that's her name) at the East Galway primary care centre. Beside nct centre. Had mine done there recently. Quickest one I have ever had. I told her this and she said she could probably do them in her sleep she does them so often.

Meangadh

OP I was the exact same as you-only ever had one partner and kept putting off going for the smear because I was afraid of it being painful and because I was just cringing at the thoughts of someone fiddling around "down there" even though I knew I was being ridiculous given that doctors are SO used to doing this test.

I eventually bit the bullet (sick with nerves) and got it done. It wasn't in any way at all painful, and was over in about 30 seconds. Then the letter came a few weeks later and all was well!

I am still dreading having to do the next one but more because I embarrass easily! Pain-wise I'm not worried at all. I'm definitely going to do it though- sadly I've lost too many loved ones to cancer to ignore it.

Best of luck with it OP, you'll be so glad you got it done.

pog it

Also maybe just have a read online for news stories in relation to smear test results in Ireland since it came in here around 2008 with the free scheme that is (yes, it's always been around but worth looking at recent news stories in relation to it).

If you are unhappy with the results themselves, take another test elsewhere. Don't necessarily believe they are 100%. But odds are you will be happy with the results too.

Good luck.

ElleEm

OP, I echo what everyone else says. I was like you, and put my first smear off til I was 29. I told the nurse I was nervous, so she explained everything to me before I got to the table. It was shocking how quick it all happened- my jeans were off and on again in under a minute. I reckon my legs were open for about 15-20 seconds. It isn't pleasant (mentally) but physically, it is a real non thing.

Xidu

Have a shower before you go as a respect to the doctor/nurse, don't worry the doctor will give you a big piece of paper to cover most of you body, and it only takes less than 2 minutes. Slightly uncomfortable but bearable.

LegacyUser

Op here.. I just want to thank everyone so much for replying. You have no idea how helpful each and every reply has been.

There are some excellent points here like wearing a long skirt or long top, something easy to get out of, and something for extra coverage..

I realise now that far more than the pain, my fear has been that level of exposure, sprawled on a table....something I've never been through before. But I'm going to bite the bullet and do it very soon (after my next period).

I've decided I will go to the Galway clinic mentioned above as I just can't face my own doctor. Her examination room is just a tiny room in her house and i know she doesnt have a curtain there to change behind, so I think for my first one I'd prefer to face someone completely anonymous.

Fingers crossed it goes smoothly and the results are good..

Just one last question, are there many questions/ paperwork to be answered regarding sexual experience, periods, or anything like that, when going to the Galway family planning clinic (or any such clinic) as opposed to sticking with my regular doctor who knows me and my medical history already?

Thanks again.

ElleEm

The omly question I remember was had I had a smear before.

Merkin

Well done OP, just for your own information, the optimum time for a smear is 10-14 days into your cycle (mucus plug is as its thinnest) so bear this in mind when scheduling an appointment.

It's ages since my first smear but as far as I remember they just quickly explained the procedure, there were no personal questions.

If you're having it done privately, they will offer to have the swab tested for chlamydia also so no harm in availing of that when the swab is already there.

Well done again, you're doing the right thing and you will be fine!

amtc

I got my letter yesterday 'inviting' me for a smear (also got a letter 'directing' me to go to a job - would've thought other way round!)

I have no problem with smears, my thinking is that if that's what someone chooses to do, they know what they're in for, and hence why would I get nervous. It's worse going to get my bikini line waxed! My cousin does smears (she's a nurse) and loves them as they're quick and easy.

My only issue is that my doctor was in my class in school and she wanted to be a vet...but once we laughed that off, all fine.

Go, your health for something very curable (if there is anything wrong, which is rare) is more important than being a bit embarrassed.

username123

Ive been having to get them done in the Coombe hospital in Dublin the past few years since some anomalies (back to normal now praise be!), and the only questions I remember are things like the date of last period (none for me as there are no periods with the pill Im on), what pill Im on, do you smoke, are you on any other medication, do you have an allergies (Im actually allergic to latex so that usually causes a bit of a kerfluffle!).

Theyre so nice in the hospital though, and offered me the day off work with a note each time Ive been. I had to get colposcopy done there too - which is a more extensive procedure but nothing to worry about.

You can be a bit crampy afterwards, like you have mild period pain - nothing terribly noticeable.

On the exposure thing, I find it easier if I lie right back such that Im not watching whats going on - it makes me feel less "exposed".

fibix

username123 wrote: »

You can be a bit crampy afterwards, like you have mild period pain - nothing terribly noticeable.

Why crampy? It's done in seconds, hardly invasive, standard procedure.

Unless you're talking about colposcopy which is a whole another kettle of fish, not really what we're discussing here.

username123

fibix wrote: »

Why crampy? It's done in seconds, hardly invasive, standard procedure.

Unless you're talking about colposcopy which is a whole another kettle of fish, not really what we're discussing here.

I'm always mildly crampy after a smear. My gp told me it's normal and many women experience same.

I'm not a doctor so I do not know why it happens.

ElleEm

fibix wrote: »

Why crampy? It's done in seconds, hardly invasive, standard procedure
.

Having mild period pain cramps is apparently common enough after a smear. I suppose it all depends on the person and how deep and rough the swab is.