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Smear pain

MissCazzaC
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Hi

 

I am 47 years old and had a routine smear today.  My last one was 5 years ago (I am late getting it done due to COVID).  I have never had a smear, or indeed any procedure whilst pregnant that I couldn't tolerate but today was absolute agony, and traumatic.  The nurse used 3 different sized speculums. I was in so much pain I was screaming out and crying.  My response to the pain feels hideous when the NHS describe smears as uncomfortable and tolerable. 
8 hours on, I feel like I have period pain and flu.  My joints ache, I feel fatigued and very very tearful.   I have taken paracetamol and keeping up my fluids.  My question is, do you think my flu like symptoms could be my bodies response to the 'foreign bodies' and trauma I've been through?

I have done a COVID test and that was negative.

Feeling low and tearful tonight 

  • Hello and thanks for your post,

    What a very difficult time you have had. I am afraid I am not able to say the cause of your symptoms but I do hope that by now they have settled down.

    We have had other posts from women who find smears quite painful. You may find it useful to read Jo's Trust website which has possible causes for why smears can be painful which you can see here

    It might also be worth testing again for Covid just in case you are now testing positive. I would also take your temperature to see if you have any infection.

    Continue to take the paracetamol and increase your fluids and if the pain hasn't settled then do get in touch with your GP.

    I really hope that you feel better soon.

    Take Care,

    Catherine

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Catherine

    Thank you Catherine,

    I have subsequently tested positive for COVID so I think that explains my symptoms. 

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