I turned 25 a few months ago so I was called to have a smear. I had my first appointment at the start of January with the nurse at my GP surgery - I couldn't tolerate it as it was too painful and I left crying. The nurse was lovely and arranged another appointment (a double one this time) for me to try again.
That appointment was this morning and the same thing happened. The nurse has referred me to colposcopy to see if they can do it with better equipment or pain relief. I took paracetamol before the first appointment which didn't do anything.
I'm just wondering if anyone else has had experiences with colposcopy and what might happen. Thank you x
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FrecklesandFlowers
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Sorry to hear your cervical screening was so painful! They aren't very comfortable at all and I have had some traumatic experiences myself so completely understand!
Did they try you in different positions to try and make it as comfortable as possible? I have asked for the smallest speculum in the past and found it easier placing my hands under my lower back as this can tilt your pelvis and make it easier to see your cervix. Also, being nervous can make it more painful as everything can "tighten up". Were you nervous at all?
I've had colposcopies in the past, however it was due to having HPV for 3 cervical screenings in a row. I've had two in total and they are pretty much the same equipment wise but may be able to put you in a better position as they have different beds.
As I was HPV positive, they placed some dye on my cervix to see if there was any abnormal cells, but if this is your first screening they may not do this. The dye doesn't hurt but can give you odd coloured discharge, so if you do have it don't be alarmed!
I'm hoping it all goes well for you and they can get a good swab!
Thank you that's really helpful! I had the smallest speculum they had but they think the colposcopy unit might have a smaller one. I was only in one position but there probably wasn't much room to do anything else really, it was just a standard GP room bed. I was nervous the first time but not as much today, and tried to focus on my breathing as the nurse said that usually helps. I was expecting it to feel odd if not painful because I've seen on here that other people can't tolerate them either, but I wasn't expecting to cry like I did, I was such a mess!
Oh no, hopefully the colposcopy will be better for you then! I'll be completely honest, i had one particularly bad smear where I screamed in pain and left crying. I feel the nurse wasn't very experienced. So trust me, you are not alone! But I have had 7 in total now and lucky that was the only bad experience!
Hopefully, with a colposcopy they will use a smaller speculum and I feel like they have more experience. Thinking about it, when I had my colposcopies I barely felt the speculum compared to smears. So maybe you will have better luck!
Maybe try some relaxation before it, a bit of mindfulness to try and relax your whole body. If you still have no luck, the doctor may be able to prescribe you with something to relax you prior to your appointment. I feel once you have a bad experience it is harder to relax after! You may have a bit of anxiety going forward, if you do it is okay to ask for extra hep to relax!
Wishing you all the best and hoping you manage to get it done. 🤞🏻
Sorry to hear you’re struggling with this. A friend told me recently you can ask ahead for Valium you just have to let them know before the appointment, she has vaginismus so also struggles but for different reasons.
I find smears and pelvic exams painful. I've only had one smear but due my second one soon. I have the smallest speculum and raise my pelvis because I have a very tilted pelvis. Not sure if you do? I just close my eyes and try not to cry but I'm glad when they're over with.
Hi, not sure if this will help you but when I had my laparoscopy 2yrs ago, there was a lady on a ward, in a middle age, who come to have the smear test done under anastetic because she was in such a pain that they could not do it other ways.
My first smear was uncomfortable but that was when they did them differently years ago. A deep ache later like stomach ache for a few hrs sometimes.I presume you have sex.
I have never had what I discribe as pain at the time of a smear though intercourse the first few times wasn't pleasant with stomach ache after.
Certainly its important you have this done because of your experience which is extreme which has to be explained.
You must relax when it's done.
The only time experience bad pain was when they wanted to put a camera in my womb. I couldn't manage it, had to be repeated with anaesthetic
I have agony, too. The gyno at the hospital just said ‘vaginismus’ and passed me off. Now I know it wasn’t the case (well, not solely). GP’s surgeries tend to only have three size speculums - hospitals have many more. It’s apparently worse since disposable speculums came in - bizarrely and creepily enough.
I know it’s not easy to relax on cue either. I had this in an exam the other day ‘relax’ - not easy when you’re in that vulnerable position with three people next to you or staring at literally your most vulnerable part that we are taught from birth to conceal except for our most intimate moments - I get it.
Usually nurses will suggest lying on your side, semi fetal, or putting a pillow under your coccyx when you’re lying down. Scooting down the bed to change the angle.One played classical music when she did it.
Honestly I’ve had one exam that wasn’t painful and I expected agony so partly it’s who’s doing them. My cyscosopy doc actually just changed the bed angle and had me scoot down for my bladder one and he said ‘see, it’s all about the angle’ to the other medical staff -blew me away how much difference that truly made at the time. I told my bestie the same thing when she had this issue - and yep, it was who performed it.
Not saying that’s in the only factor with you. And btw good on you for having the guts to have it and to be going back. They are worth it if they can help save lives. Believe me. you did and are doing great.
Honestly if they can’t do it next time I’d push for a gyno at the hospital to perform it. They have more equipment and it may be better.
Painkillers, earbuds with relaxing music, try mindfulness on YouTube and stuff - relaxing each individual muscle every day. Even if it doesn’t end up helping that it may help in other ways?
It’s a very valid fear when I personally know the kind of pain you have had - and then it becomes a vicious circle of being scared and tensing because of the pain regardless.
They may give you dilators at the hospital, especially if you ask - kind of a ‘training’ aid. They may help, they might not.
But honestly - it’s brave you went, it’s brave you’re going back, your concerns are valid because either way it’s something you shouldn’t have to experience like that.
Please try not to assume the worst, it could be something they can sort fairly easily. It sounds crass, but more lubricant may help?
As someone who’s known what you’re describing - push for answers that you feel match what you’re going through; don’t let them fob you off if it’s not helping. It may be endo, it maybe loads of other things. Some fairly innocuous.
Sending big hugs to you. You aren’t alone, please know that.
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you did and are doing great. 
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