Hello and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear that you have found having your cervical screening done very painful.

I think while for the majority of women having the screening done it is not comfortable it is something they can still tolerate and have done. Being anxious and tense can affect someone's ability to relax. Relaxing while a nurse or doctor inserts a speculum into your vagina is difficult but being more relaxed will help this insertion go more easier and be less painful.

For some women it might be that there is a physical problem, for example the cervix might not be lying in the normal position or there could be inflammation in the vaginal area (due to infection) which can make it more uncomfortable (but not impossible) to insert. Using a smaller speculum ( they come in a range of sizes) might help. If a vagina is dry then using a vaginal cream may help ease the speculum into the vagina more easily. For some women lying in a different position; for example lying on the side can also make it easier to insert.

You cannot have the cervical screening test done under a general anaesthetic. You might want to make an appointment with the practise nurse at your GP Surgery to talk about your situation. Making a plan about how your future cervical screening will be carried out before you have it done might help. Before you do this it would be good to read the information from Jo's Trust ( a UK charity) about what can be done to make the cervical screening procedure more comfortable, you can see it here 

You may also find posting in another area of Cancer Chat (see the list of them on the left of this screen) might mean you get replies from women who have been in a similar situation and how they coped.

I hope this has been helpful.

Take care

Caroline

I am in a similar position to yourself. My first smear test 6 months ago was agony, however the nurse managed to get a sample. I had to return again in 6 months (today) for another smear. Again, it was agony after she tried with 3 different instruments and got me to put my fists under my bum. In the end she gave up and said I would have to return again in another couple of weeks for the doctor to try. It's really upset me as the thoughts of going back so soon is terrifying considering the pain. I thought my pain threashold was quite high but not after having smears. I'm scared the doctor will just "power on" with it and if I'm in agony well, tough! But honestly it's really put me on a downer.. 

Hi, 

I am in the same situation, I had successfull smear done in Oz 6 years ago (way better over there) but after trying with a nurse in the uk 2 years ago who was rough and rude it caused so much pain she had to stop, I tried again with a new doctor surgery a couple of months later but again it was too painful. I did a home kit on line which is super easy but unfortunately showed up hpv so now have to go back to the doctors next week, see a doctor with more experience but I'm getting so nervous. It's so frustrating that everyone always says it dosnt hurt but for some of us it really does and it's unbearable. 
My private clinic did suggest a sedative which doctors can give you or a calming pill (think mine suggested ) a beta blocker but I have other health issues that makes taking them difficult: 

Sorry I'm not more helpful but it's nice to vent to people who also find it painful as no one else understands

Hello there

I am sorry to hear you have had a couple of painful experiences when trying to have cervical screening taken. As you say many people do find this uncomfortable and sometimes a sample can't be successfully taken.

There are things like you mentioned that can help relax someone and it is important that any previous difficulties are mentioned before the appointment so that the nurse or doctor carrying out the screening are aware and can try and put you at ease. 

If people suffer with vaginal dryness then using an oestrogen cream used a few days before sometimes help. They can try and use a smaller speculum to make things easier and sometimes trying different positions or tilting the hips can help. If someone is feeling particularly stressed or anxious using breathing techniques or listening to music during the screening can also help to relax people so the sample can be taken. 

I hope your appointment goes well.

Take care

Naomi

Thanks for your reply, the truth is that no one I've seen really  wants to help. They get frustrated with you and last time the nurse said well you don't have to have it. There's nothing set for people who have difficulty, I can't take the meds suggested because of other health issues. The anxiety it causes makes my other neurological issue way worse and it's a viscous circle. I have spoken to the doctor and trying again soon but I dought it will work again, I've asked for the smaller one but each time (not in Oz again doctor there was amazing, here useless) they say it's to small. I've had enough of the nhs saying it's easy and to relax, it dosnt work and there should be more help for people who find it to painful. 

Hey how did you get hold of the home kit? I'm in a similar position and think this would help

Just to let you know you can have a cervical smear test under anesthetic, I've been offered it today x

Hi, 

I paid for one on line, cost £100 but worth it. The company I used was called check 4 cancer and if it comes back positive they tell you the strain which the nhs don't and call to give you advise. 
hope this helps

I managed to have the smear test done by a really nice doctor but it took a few attempts and a lot of tears over 3 years lol but it came back with cell changes and hpv so then I had to try and have a colposcopy which was horrendous and she couldn't do it, I was on a ton of diazapam to. I'm waiting to hear back but likely they will do it under a general anaesthetic now. I tried to get them to do it like this in the first place but no one listens ‍♀️ 
im sorry your going through this to, I think for me it's the way the nurses treat you, the colposcopy nurse treated me like a naughty child and gave me a lecture which was horrible.