I had my routine smear today, to me, its a non-event. It has to be done, its not painful, i have nothing to be embarrased or ashamed about. the nurse said afterwards that she wished everyone was as calm about it as me.
How do you feel about your routine smear? Do you go at all? Do you feel embarrased?
2007-04-16 01:16:44 · 27 answers · asked by mrssandii1982 4 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I'm going to be the odd one out here.
I just avoid them, and don't go.
I've had one in the past, and it wasn't too bad an experience, so I've no reason to fear anything.
I've just had a reminder through that I need to make an appointment to get one done, but have left it to one side and am ignoring it.
After reading all the comments on here, I feel a bit stupid, and realise most women get it done without much fuss. So maybe tomorrow I will make that call.
2007-04-16 14:45:33 · answer #1 · answered by Jules 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I go willingly - I never get embarrased. Some years I had changed cells and had to have a smear every six months and then an operation to remove some bad cells. I was put back on five year smears but decided to pay and have one privately by BUPA each year. Costs about £60 - about the same price as a new outfit or a couple of nights out - worth it I feel! The doctors have seen it all before and much more besides - if you aint got your health, you aint got nothing!
2007-04-16 01:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by Bexs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a friend who needs to book an hour appointment because she is so nervous and afraid and needs to take a lot of time to let the nurse do the procedure.... and no she was never abused or anything.
as for me, apart for once when i had an infection i didn't know about and screamed the place down, I go in, hop on the table, ask "when are you doing it?" the nurse says "i've already done it" and then go home.
i choose not to make a big deal out of it and i don't even feel it.
i think the key to a lot of htings in life is attitude and mentality, by choosing not to let a fear of something affect or control you, then you control it by deciding it's not really a big deal. this could be a different situation though for women who've been abused as i do know someone else like that who can't stand to be touched in this way.
2007-04-16 01:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about the "rules" in the UK now I don't live or work there but I had a smear when I was 20 and I worked in a GP surgery and we routinely did smears on women around your age. Ask your family planning nurse if there is one attached to the practice, rather than your GP, see what she says. You can pay to have it done privately at Bupa if you want but the risk of cervical cancer at your age is very very low.
2016-05-21 02:27:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My ex had cervical cancer the year before I met her--the Dalkon Shield IUD thing from about 20 years ago.
She had an hysterectomy and unilateral oopherectomy (one ovary removed--I just like doctor talk!), leaving one ovary for hormones to defer menopause hopefully until it's usual time.
She's a 20+ year cancer survivor, but if not for that smear, she'd be about 20 years dead.
In other words, GO!
2007-04-16 05:34:31 · answer #5 · answered by Paul P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go reluctantly. I don't feel embarrassed at all because it needs to be done, unless you don't care about your reproductive organs and want to risk missing a chance to get rid of something that might become cancerous.
The only thing is I have this horrible thought that I will "pass gas" while they are down there. I never do, but I think that the whole day before I go to the appointment.
hehe
2007-04-16 01:22:30 · answer #6 · answered by Terri 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I dread going but it must be done i have had laser treatment in the past so i know how important it is to have a smear test
2007-04-17 02:38:13 · answer #7 · answered by Black Orchid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go willingly once a yr, due to an abnormal smear which needed lazor treatment a few yrs ago but it's not my favourite outing! Got to be done though!!!!
2007-04-16 01:23:26 · answer #8 · answered by sarah p 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you very much for posting this question. It may help to reassure one or two women who are anxious about having their smear done.
It is I am afraid a very necessary evil, and some women do need a lot of encouragement to come forward. It is also important to remember that we are not so much looking for cancer, but trying to prevent it.
2007-04-16 02:05:45 · answer #9 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do go, and although I'm quite calm and matter of fact about it, the last few times and been painful due to the nurse's incompetence. This puts me off. I do still go though, but can't say I look forward to it!
2007-04-16 01:21:11 · answer #10 · answered by Dogsbody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋