Painful smear caused by endometriosis??

[sunflowerpower]

Hey everyone, I had my first smear this week after putting it off for several years and had been warned that it was going to be uncomfortable and perhaps a little painful. However mine was excruciatingly painful so much so that I was in tears after and almost fainted with the pain when I stood up. I have a high pain threshold so this is not something I'd say lightly. I have endometriosis and had excision surgery of an endometrioma and extensive endometriosis a year and a half ago but still get endo flare ups regularly and pelvic pain most days. I'm on the desogestrol pill to stop periods (cerazette) which I read can thin your vaginal walls therefore making it more tender down there... Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and if there's any advice for next time? I'm already dreading my next one and it's 3 years away!!

[CC0507]

Hey. I don’t have confirmed endometriosis as of yet but I have really painful smear tests. I’ve had two and had my most recent one a few months ago and although it was over quick I was in so much pain. I’m getting a pelvic exam next week and I’m dreading it already because the GP said the speculum will be used!

I’m sure I have read somewhere that one of the causes of painful smear tests is Endo!

Hopefully in a few years time you’re experience won’t be so bad. Xx

[AllthatGlitters]

I have really painful smear tests too. It’s excruciating pain. I bleed after too. I don’t know the answers apart from taking some paracetamol beforehand. I have adenomyosis. I will always get a smear done but I do wish it didn’t cause the amount of pain it does x

[asoullessstatic]

Mine felt sharp, I had some spotting for a few days after, some deep pelvic uncomfortableness. I wouldn't say it was painful, but it was uncomfortable for a few days, it was the same after-sex deep pelvic discomfort and pain I get.

Better than cancer though. Regardless of how painful it was, I'd rather have my smear then cancer, especally as I was too old to have the HPV vaccine.

I've found the best thing to do is to be prepaired, I have the same deep pelvic pain after exams too. Take some painkillers before it, take some pads with you so you can put one on after incase you spot, make sure you have a constant supply of pain relife afterwards. I find at least if I know its going to happen I can be ready to deal with it.

[Music1]

I can totally relate. Having stage 4 Endo, surgeries etc. I needed a smear to start ivf and went to the GP. I know my uterus is retrograde (facing backwards rather than forward) and fixed with adhesions to my bowel and other bits. It was sooo painful. I took painkillers before and still ended up in tears telling her to hurry up. Every ivf I had after that I asked to be sedated as the pain was too much for me. It's not the speculum but them pushing it at difficult angles etc to try and find the uterus. I would say def related to Endo. Would dread having mine again as well. All these women who say it's a walk in the park, or mildly dis comfortable but having Endo or any probs related will generally cause pain. I could never understand why my mum avoided it and said it caused her so much pain until I experienced it myself. Best wishes ... glad they're not yearly checkups. xx