Hi everyone,
I had my first smear test this morning and it was that painful the poor nurse only got halfway through the procedure before she declared me too distressed to continue. I just wondered if anyone else has had this experience and if there's anything I can do to prepare for next time?
I fear the results will come back inefficient and I'll have to go again, but I can't bare the idea of going through that pain again!
Hi,
The same for me and nobody ever said anything - terrible pain each time and the same on an ultrasound. Just had an MRI scan and have deep bowel endo.
I would recommend asking to have it done at the hospital in the Gyne clinic as they can give you gas pain relief and there is also another option - I have mine next week.
I would also ask your GP to refer you to Gyne for further investigations as that level of pain isn’t normal.
they have always been extremely painful for me. They had to abort it more than once. Now I get an estrogen cream and use it for 2 weeks before. I also make my hands into fists and put them under my bum as this lifts and tilts me. Deep breathing helps a little. Ask for the person to do it who has the most experience. Someone that has done loads. I can have pain and bleeding for days after. The hospital use a chair which may be easier. I’ve never been offered any pain relief for it. A handy tip s if you are having a laparoscopy and under general ask them to do it at the same time.
I have found asking them to go extremely slowly makes it more bearable. It goes against the grain sometimes when you don't want to be the one 'making a fuss', but I've now learned I kind of need to be in charge. Last time I went, I kept on reminding her to go very slowly and it was more bearable than several prior smear tests. I dont think I've ever had an MRI, but given what asread says, I would say that's very much worth asking for...
Also, relaxing your pelvic area muscles is important. And deep breathing. But for me, slowly alongside these help.
Yes my first one was stopped as they couldn't get in for pain. I now take the speculum off the person and insert it myself. Nothing I was ever directed to do worked. I have to sit in a crunch position, breathe deeply as I slide it in pointing the speculum towards my rectum and a little sideways towards one of my hips. Goes in with maybe 5 breaths. I've paid for a private mri. So I can see my uterus and everything is all twisted and pulled backwards. I used my mri results to guide myself through my speculum insertion.The bit that hurt was when the rench pulled it out without letting me do it in my own time.
I know exactly what you mean, I had very little trouble getting a smear test until I went into menopause. I’ve had two failed smear tests where the pain was so bad I couldn’t continue and the nurse saying cheerily “oh has nobody told you a smear is painful after menopause “. No they hadn’t, I’m told it’s something to do with lack of oestrogen. Finally attended a pop in smear clinic last week and same problem but the young nurse suggested using a ‘probe’ due to my vaginal walls ‘not letting her get a good look”. Glad to say it wasn’t a problem and wasn’t painful either when she used a probe. Wish that had been suggested at my own GP surgery.
yep - only ever had one none painful one and that was recently with my GP - I’ve had about 7 in the past (mostly due to aborted ones due to pain levels) - the one before last I literally got tunnel vision and almost blacked out. My gran died from cervical cancer when she was 32 so I’ve always had my regular ones regardless, and tbh get a bit irate when friends who are embarrassed but don’t find them painful refuse on grounds of modesty. But yeah - the whole ‘one size fits all’ with speculums is a joke, I’ve managed to get to the point where I’m alright until they jack it open so to speak - I’ve seen heads of gyna ( a man who passed me off straight away actually) who caused pain - this recent one with a gp who knew exactly what she was doing and sent me straight away for urgent tests which discovered endo on a US was the only time I haven’t virtually screamed.
So yep - it’s not normal to be in this much pain - pain isn’t ‘discomfort’. As the other ladies have said, balling fists under bottom, creams, mindfulness, and maybe having it done in your side all may help. Also I’d question the size of speculum used and make sure you tell your practitioner that your uterus is retroverted etc - have a sugary/energy drink ready for when you come out. I’d definitely ask for someone who is more used to dealing with doing smear tests and gyna issues. And painkillers before the event, hot water bottle afterwards.
I’m so sorry you’re going through it 
it’s deeply horrible (no pun intended).
endometriosis and smear tests
Never had a smear test. 
Lap date and smear test
Mirena Coil-extreme pain
