Hi

im so glad to find this chat thread. 
I've had an awful time today. I phoned to make an appointment and they said they had one in an hour- first mistake- I needed to plan it and build up to it. 
surgery was too warm, waited for 15 minutes winding myself up, chatted to the nurse about how I was feeling- awful nervous dreadful. 
As most I absolutely dread them and put them off - however always manage to get it done. Not this time. I was on the bed for over 20 minutes- 3 attempts. I had to ask them to stop. 
the practice nurse was very lovely and eventually the GP but I'm still very sore and upset. 
I have rebooked for a couple of weeks but not sure if I can go through with it. 
I have a very long cervix now apparently. The nurse said that your body can change and does after menopause. 
the chat has really helped this evening- so thank you ladies. 
much appreciated. 
 

j don't want to put anyone off but what is already such a difficult thing for me is now multiplied. 
any advice is really welcome 

thnx 

 

My apologies- I'm so distracted - I never even mentioned the previous comments- sorry! 
 

I really am sorry to hear we have all gone through this. This chat group has def helped me this evening - thanks again 

Hi Rosie so sorry you had such an experience, this is my first time on this site, I too had a regular smear test today, I am in my fifties, it took 3 attempts and the gorgeous nurse who was so kind and helpful kept reassuring me to just relax, I kept tensing up; I am 5 ft 2, small in height, she used 3 different sizes when trying to get a sample, the 3rd attempt she used the smallest size, it was bearable and she managed to get it, I asked to move the table as it was close to a wall, it gave me more space to relax, it’s mind over matter, the nurse was a real winner, sore and bleeding but it’s done, delighted to have found this forum, sadly it is a necessary procedure but it’s bloddy horrible,

x m

Thank you beetlegirl 

so glad you were ok. 
 

Got myself into an anxious state as soon as the letter calling me for the appointment arrived. I have a tilted Uterus so the test is never ever comfortable.My Cervix 'hides' apparently. Today the pain was excrutiating. I felt like the position I was lying in on the surgery' bed was not helping at all .There was no problem inserting the speculum but the scraping sensation on my Cervix was unbearable. I know it is supposed to be a 'brush' they use, ( is it made of wire?...!!) but it felt like a razor blade was scraping my Cervix. I ended up eventually  actually screaming and the nurse stopped. She said she was supposed to perform ten 'sweeps'. not sure how many she had managed. She asked if she could try again, she  said I did not have to, she could just send off what she had and I could hope for the best. I really could not face another attempt, as I felt utterly totally traumatised. I am 61, i have had two children so don't think I cannot deal with pain, but I  feel if they call me for a second attempt I will not go.Which obviously is not ideal but I would definately need some kind of aneasthetic to try for a repeat smear. i was so pleased to know I am not alone when I found this thread. Thank goodness for other women!

I'm so sorry to hear that you have also gone through this ordeal. Women's health is seriously overlooked and the way that so many of us have been dealt with is simply unaccpetable. I would advise you to keep pushing until they can get your smear done - if this means having sedation then so be it. It's for the healthcare system to figure out! I'm dreading being called for my next smear. The trauma of previous smear tests has caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. Over the past year, I have undergone 4 rounds of IVF treatment and had to pay extra for sedation for procedures that 'usually' don't require any. I couldn't bear the thought of being in pain and them not finding my cervix and didn't want to compromise any of my precious embryos in the process. The more I've gone through this, the angrier I have become...and anger is good because it provokes change. So stay angry and fight for your right to have that test! Look after yourself xxx

Hi, I feel I have a similar story to you and Coraline. It's my first time on this site and I'm relieved to hear I'm not the only one who feels this way, but sorry we all have to go through it! 
I have been diagnosed with Vaginismus, and haven't had a successful smear. I put off my first one for ages as I was anxious, because I hadn't successfully had intercourse (still haven't) or even used tampons. The nurse said 'don't worry, I've never not managed it before' and then she didn't manage it, which made me feel like the only one who failed the smear. A GP then tried, and then the third time a nurse acted like I was paranoid and it 'can't hurt', which made me feel awful. 
I have had initial counselling but that hasn't helped. I also had an external examination by a doctor who said my 'vaginal opening was quite small' which has made me more anxious. 
BUT what has helped us physio - a lovely doctor has been seeing me every couple of months and has helped me to get to the point of being able to tolerate the smallest size vaginal dilator, which I never thought I could do. Unfortunately she's off for an operation and she was almost going to refer me to the Women's Unit at the hospital for a smear - but as I haven't had an appointment for a few months I've booked a smear at my GP for tomorrow to see if I can do it (I've written down everything I want to tell the nurse before she does it, so she's aware of my experiences so far). Not at all confident though as I've tried inserting a child's size speculum and can't do it :( but I also feel sick with anxiety when thinking about cervical cancer so I want to try and do it - if it's not successful then I'll see what they say my options are. 

Have you made any progress? 
 

Thanks to everyone on here for helping us to not feel alone x

Hi, i'm new here and i'm not sure if anyone still follows this post but reading all the replies encouraged me to sign up and post.

I'm turning 26 soon and went for my first smear just short of a year ago which has left me feeling extremely humiliated and never wanting to go back !

I'm a lesbian and my partner and I have been together since school. We're the only person the other has ever been with so i'm not sure of my risk when it comes to cervical cancer but when I got the letter for my first smear although I was terrified I booked my appointment straight away.

I told the nurse I hadn't had penetrative sex and asked if she would use the smallest speculum available. She did but after numerous attempts she couldn't find my cervix. She asked an older nurse to come in who still had the same problem and at this point I was bleeding so much that the nurse said I would have to come back another day to use a bigger speculum. I was so embarrased I ended up in tears as I was lay there and it's put me off ever going for one again.

I found the whole ordeal so humiliating and I'm still embarrased thinking about it now.  I find it so condesending the way that the nurses look at you when you tell them you've not had sex with a man and i'm always cautious in any healthcare conversation when it comes to the sexually active question as I never quite know what to say and I am cautious of being discriminated against and just dismissed if I tell them I'm a lesbian.

The nurse told me to book another appointment during the middle of my cycle as my cervix will be positioned better but I have PCOS so I don't have regular cycles.

After months of waiting, I've finally been able to have an appointment with a gynae about my PCOS and when I mentioned about my smear, he said it doesn't matter where you are in your cycle for your smear test so I don't know what to do.

I am terrified of going through the same thing that happened last time as well as being confronted with a patronsing and condensending nurse who almost looks at you with pity when you tell her you've not had sex with a man.

Am I really at risk if I've only ever had one partner that's been a woman? I'm wondering whether I should ask if I can have the smear at the place where I have been seeing the gynaecologst as maybe they're better and it won't be quite as traumatic. Is this possible or does it have to be done at your doctors (or a hospital like other people on this thread have mentioned?)

Hi OA123,

I am so sorry to hear that you smear caused you such distress. I completely understand how you feel as I also was treated in a similar way and now dread going for a smear test. It is such a shame as it is so important that women have the test - the last thing we need is to be made to feel humiliated and embarrassed.

My understanding is that your risk is low but this does not mean you should not have the test. As the nurse said to me, there have been cases of nuns having cervical cancer! So even those who are celibate can still be at risk. I would encourage you to try and get the test done. Remember, this is your healthcare providers issue - not yours. It is for them to cater to your medical needs. 

I am a little more confident than I was years ago and try to be more assertive in these situations. I've been through 4 rounds of IVF and recently gave birth to my daughter so perhaps that has made me more resilient in addressing these issues. I have never had sex with a man and I have a baby, eat that NHS! :wink:

I hope you are able to get your smear test done soon. I eventually found an experienced and compassionate nurse after being passed from Dr to Dr for months. Don't give up - there are good people out there, you just need to find them. :happy:

I'm not sure if anyone's still reading this conversation but I've just had another failed attempt at getting a smear.

it appears I have a long vagina (who knew!) and she had to use a larger speculum which got too painful. The nurse is referring me to the colcosposy unit but I'm concerned about being made to feel bad or inadequate about not being able to stand this test at the GPS.

i understand from the thread above there's a tall speculum which is just linger but not wider than the small speculum so should I ask for that?