Smear tests can be pretty daunting especially when it’s your first one, so this is all about my experience of what happened & the process to hopefully help ease your nerves!

Hi guys! I have to say I didn’t think my first blog post of 2021 would be about a smear test but it is and here we are so let’s crack on with it! So, on the 26th Jan I had my first smear test and this is everything that went down & all the in’s and out’s that happened during the appointment. My local doctors are doing smear tests (they really are super important) despite corona they’re operating to get them done! If you’ve received your letter/when you do please please please do phone your doctors & ask about booking an appointment. 

Just in case your appointment is also during the times of covid, this is how my local doctors handled it which I thought I’d include even though every doctors will be different. So, it went like this, I arrived and knocked on the door just before my appointment, the nurse who greeted me confirmed my name and pumped sanitiser into my hands, checked my temperature and then passed me disposable gloves to wear and we both were wearing masks. As for covid changes to the appointment, that’s about as different as it was and the rest of the appointment felt very normal (I suppose the wearing of masks are pretty normal nowadays too) and we chatted about the procedure itself and why the tests are necessary.

What are smear tests?

Smear tests are now referred to as a cervical screening and the purpose of the test is to help prevent cervical cancer by checking for the HPV (human papillomavirus) virus and any cervical cell changes. These tests are for anyone who has a cervix and begin around your 25^thbirthday and end around the age of 64. I received my first letter around 3 months before my 25^thbirthday but they can come as early 6 months before you turn 25 and as soon as you receive your letter you are able to book your appointment which I can’t recommend enough. 

What happens after my smear test and how often will I have a screening?

Results for your smear test will be sent out via letter, regardless of your results, 2 to 4 weeks after your appointment. If your results are negative for abnormalities, then its most likely that you won’t be required to have another test for 5 years but in some cases you may be invited back for one every year or even every three years and this is based on your individual risk. If there is anything abnormal then a referral to have a colposcopy will be the likely next step. And in a very rare cases you might be required to have the test done again if the screening gave an incorrect result.

Why do we have smear tests? 

We have cervical screenings because it is the best way to monitor changes within the cervix as quite often there are no symptoms to show signs that something might be not quite right. This is why regular screening is essential to monitor these changes but if you do have any symptoms (unusual vaginal bleeding, changes to discharge, pain or discomfort during sex or unexplained pain in lower back or pelvis) it is important to not wait for your next screening and to contact your GP asap – this is something that the lovely nurse who carried out my smear test asked me to highlight as extremely important! Any changes which you notice are worth mentioning regardless of how recently your last test was as the sooner a problem is found the easier the treatment is.

So having a smear test can be pretty daunting if you’ve never had a similar procedure and for many other reasons. But, I’m hoping that explaining how mine went might ease your worries a little. I asked my nurse if there were any words of wisdom she had to making the whole thing a little bit less daunting. Her top tips were find a way to relax however that may be and secondly, to remind yourself that they see you as nothing other than a patient and for them it is no different to looking at your elbow or ear. My fave way to relax is to think of a happy place, like lying on a beach with a cocktail in hand or in a nice warm bubble bath! If you can get your mind to focus on something nice outside of the room for a few minutes, you’ll feel so much calmer and distracted, yay!

The Procedure Itself

Going back to the beginning of the appointment, when we entered the room I was offered the choice of a chaperone and then the nurse confirmed that the door was locked which was really reassuring as I knew in a few minutes I would be in my nudies from the waist down. If you feel concerned about whether the door has been locked or not, then please do check with the nurse or doctor they want you to be as relaxed as possible too! 

Then we discussed the reasons behind having a smear test and what would happen after my sample was sent off, the nurse asked if I had any questions and then if I was ready and if so, the next step would be to remove my underwear and pull up my skirt and lay on the bed (I wore a skirt as I thought it would be the quickest to redress myself after). I moved to the bed at the back of the room and the nurse closed the curtain so I had full privacy. 

Once I was laid comfortably with a paper towel covering my lower tummy and thighs on the bed, the nurse came around with a speculum (a bird beak shaped device) and a swab. I was then asked to bend my knees up and place my feet flat on the bed. The nurse also suggested creating a fist with each of my hands and placing them under my bum as this helps tilt the pelvis making the cervix easier to reach (I thought this was a great tip!). When I was comfortable the speculum was put in place – this I felt no discomfort or pain and then the nurse opened the speculum which allows the cervix to be found and a swab to be taken. I felt a very slight discomfort when the speculum was expanded but it wasn’t unbearable, it didn’t shock me or even make me wince in pain it was just more noticeable. But the discomfort lasted barely 20 seconds as once the speculum has been opened the sample is taken quickly then it’s removed and over just like that. My nurse then left allowing me to redress myself and that was the procedure done!

Just before I left, my nurse said there is the very small possibility of experiencing mild period like style cramps or a little bit of spotting or bleeding after the procedure but I haven’t experienced either and felt fine immediately after and for the rest of the day. 

I wasn’t nervous about my appointment but it’s never particularly comfortable laying on the doctors bed knowing someone you don’t know is about to get pretty close to your lady bits but it’s SO important that you make your appointment. It is a daunting thought but as the lovely nurse said it’s their profession and you’re just a patient having a routine test which could save your life!

I really hope explaining the procedure gives you the confidence about booking your smear test but if you need more in-depth explanation on the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website you can find videos explaining the procedure further with more advice and support available including info for those who are under 25, have learning disabilities or trans men and/or non-binary people. If you are still concerned I really would have a browse on this website as it might have the answers your looking for! 

I’ve also attached a link to the NHS website here. 

Stay safe & remember…book your smear test!

lots of love, 

Han x