Sometimes the nurse may not be able to see your cervix. This could be because you have a tilted cervix, cervical stenosis (where the vagina narrows) or something else. It does not mean there is anything to worry about.
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).
If it is difficult to see a tilted cervix during speculum examination, the gynaecologist may ask the woman to thrust the pelvis forwards by making a fist of her hands and placing it against the small of the back to bring the cervix into view.
A low cervix = 44mm (1.4″) or lower from your vaginal opening to the tip of the cervix. An Average Cervix = 45mm (1.8″) – 55 mm (2.25″) from your vaginal opening to the tip of the cervix. A High Cervix = 55mm (2.25″) or higher from your vaginal opening to the tip of the cervix.
Medical interventions can speed up labor, but there are other ways to encourage dilation. They include moving around, rocking on an exercise ball, using relaxation techniques, and laughing. Dilation is a term that describes the widening of the cervical opening.
A tilted uterus, which some people refer to as a tilted cervix, is when the uterus points towards the lower back instead of sitting upright. A large uterus, adhesions, or weak pelvic muscles can cause it. Some people are also born with a tilted uterus. It is fairly common, affecting around one in every five females.
An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). These changes are not cancer. The cells often go back to normal by themselves. But in some women, if not treated, these changes could develop into cancer in the future.
Sometimes the cervix is not readily apparent when the speculum is first opened. When the cervix is not easily visualized, we recommend a bimanual examination to determine cervical location. If the cervix is deep in the vaginal vault and almost beyond reach of the examiner's fingers, a longer speculum will be needed.
The labor and delivery nurses check cervix thinning and dilation every day. Heck if you were going to have an all natural birth, assuming all went without complication a L&D nurse could probably deliver your baby all on their own.
The cervix looks a little bit like a donut. When it's closed, the hole looks like a dimple, but it opens during ovulation to let sperm in, explains Ronald D. Blatt, M.D., gynecologist and chief surgeon and medical director of the Manhattan Center for Vaginal Surgery.
The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding that starts and stops between regular menstrual periods, or that occurs after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam. Other symptoms may include: Heavier menstrual bleeding, which may last longer than usual. Bleeding after menopause.
If symptoms are present, these may include: Abnormal vaginal bleeding that occurs after intercourse, or between periods. Unusual vaginal discharge that does not go away: discharge may be gray, white or yellow in color. Painful sexual intercourse.
Screening for cervical cancer
If you have unusual discharge, or bleeding after sex, between periods or after the menopause, contact your GP practice. These symptoms are not usually caused my cancer but it's important to have them checked. You will be sent a letter confirming when your screening appointment is due.
“When the cervix is open, its consistency will be much softer, and you may or may not be able to slightly feel inside the opening.” Try again. Don't worry if you can't find your cervix on your first attempt. This is completely normal, but don't be put off.
It's safe to check your cervix at home using just your fingers, although not everyone is able to do so. If you have a long vaginal canal, then you just might not be able to reach it. Similarly, if you're ovulating, then your cervix will be a little higher than usual.
Try to achieve a deep squat with your legs in a “V” position. This position can really help to open up your pelvis, move your baby down, which can also help to dilate your cervix.
Possible symptoms of cervicitis include bleeding between menstrual periods, pain with intercourse or during a pelvic exam, and abnormal vaginal discharge. However, it's also possible to have cervicitis and not experience any signs or symptoms.
Recap. A condition called cervical stenosis, or closed cervix, can cause infertility since the sperm can't reach the egg. If you're trying to get pregnant, your healthcare provider may recommend cervical dilators. These can slowly stretch and open your cervix over time.
Sometimes the doctor or nurse doing the test can see that the cells are abnormal. They may offer you treatment to remove these cells during the colposcopy. They will only offer treatment if they are sure the cells are very abnormal, and that there is a risk of cancer developing.
Cervical cancer: If your healthcare provider performed a Pap test during your exam, it's to look for precancers, or cell changes on the cervix that could become cancer. HPV (human papillomavirus): This test is also used to screen for cervical cancer. The test looks for HPV, which can cause cell changes in the cervix.
3 While you can check your cervix yourself, don't check too often, and always make sure your hands are very clean. Find a comfortable position. Your body position should allow you to easily reach your cervix. That may be sitting on the toilet, putting one leg up on the edge of the bathtub, or squatting.
Second, a cervical exam introduces foreign bacteria inside your vaginal canal and near your cervical opening, which increases the risk of infection. And third (and this one is big), cervical checks do not determine how close you are to going into labor or giving birth!