wear a skirt or dress as you can keep these on during the test. make plans for after your appointment, for example treating yourself to something nice and relaxing. speak to the health professional beforehand to discuss your concerns if you think the test may be uncomfortable as they can offer support.
If you feel comfortable wearing a skirt or dress, it may help you feel more covered. You can keep it on during the test and only take off your underwear. You do get a paper sheet to cover yourself. If you would like to, you can also ask if you can bring a spare shawl or blanket too.
There are many reasons why a smear test may be painful, including: Vaginismus, which is when the vagina suddenly tightens as you try to put something into it. Endometriosis. Cervical ectropion (cervical erosion)
One of the reasons some people struggle with cervical screening is because of the speculum used to take the test and a general fear of penetration. And it may not be just fear that gets in the way of a smear test. Vaginismus is a condition where the fear plays out in the sufferer's body.
A pelvic examination under general anaesthetic is a safe procedure, but your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems after your test. Your doctor makes sure the benefits of having a pelvic examination under general anaesthetic outweigh any possible risks.
It is recommended that you avoid sex for 24 hours before you have your smear test. Sex can cause the cells that line with your cervix, which are collected during your smear test, to become irritated and inflamed. This can interfere with your test results.
Some women find it helpful to use an over-the-counter topical lidocaine gel on the vulvar area to decrease sensation. Other women may even need to ask their clinician for a small dose of anxiety medication to take before arriving to their appointment, if medically appropriate.
“On the day of the smear by all means have a shower or a bath, as it will make you feel more confident and less self-conscious. But there is no need to wash more than you normally would, or use anything other than water and unscented soap. Wear clothing that is quick and easy to take off and on.”
It doesn't take much to prepare for a pap smear. Some women may feel like they need to shave their pubic hair, but it's unnecessary for this test. You should only tackle it if you'll be more comfortable. Your doctor has seen it all, so a little bit of pubic hair won't bother him.
You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort when the speculum is put in and opened. Usually a small spatula or tiny brush is used to gently collect cells from the cervix for the Pap test. You may feel a light scratching when they take the cells, or you may feel nothing at all.
Paracetamol: Take a dose of paracetamol 30 minutes before your smear which will take some of the discomfort away. 5. Numbing gel: If all else fails, ask the nurse to use a small amount of numbing gel.
Lower oestrogen levels can cause thinning and dryness of the vaginal walls and it's estimated that half of all post-menopausal women have these symptoms. This can mean that inserting the speculum (the instrument used to open the vagina for examination) is particularly painful for some 'older' women.
It might be hard to find
Usually the cervix sits straight at the top of your womb, potentially leaning forward toward your belly. However, some women have a tilted womb making the cervix lean more towards the back which can make it harder to see during a cervical screening (sometimes called a smear test).
While it may be uncomfortable, a speculum should never be painful. If you start to feel pain, tell your doctor. They may be able to switch to a smaller speculum.
There are three basic types of vaginal specula, which are used to view the vaginal canal and cervix. The Graves speculum is available in a variety of sizes with blades ranging from 76 mm to 170 mm in length and 22 mm to 36 mm in width.
On average clinicians found the Callascope better than the duckbill speculum for manipulating the cervix into an acceptable place for visualization. Two out of three clinicians found the Callascope to be the same or better than the speculum for cervix visualization in their patients (n = 25 patients).
Generally, a Pap test follows this process: You will be asked to undress from the waist down and put on or cover up with a hospital gown. You will lie on an exam table, with your feet in stirrups. Your healthcare provider will insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina.
Pap smear tests are usually classified as preventative medicine, which is important for checking your health. Cells are scraped from the opening of the cervix and examined under a microscope to see if there are any abnormal cells.
It's not necessary to shave or wax your vagina before getting a gynecologic exam,” Dr. Ross ensures. “Vaginal grooming is your personal choice. The main consideration on how to prepare for an exam is to simply be clean, so showering or using a vaginal hygiene wipe prior to your visit is suggested.”
During cervical screening a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix for testing. The test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes. It's usually done by a female nurse or doctor.
However, bleeding usually happens due to the cervix being irritated by the test, rather than an indicator that something is wrong. A small amount of blood (also known as spotting), is normal. It's quite common and it can happen for many reasons, which we talk through in the rest of this blog..