Smear Tests

[Gurneet]

What is a smear test how is it done?

[andy hughes]

A smear test - also called a cervical smear test - is a proceedure used to detect the possibilkity of cancer cells in the cervix, or neck of the womb. The test is carried out by a doctor or nurse. It involves the patient lying on her side or back with her kegs raised. The doctor performs an internal examination using a glove hand, and then uses an instrument called the speculum, which keeps the lips of the vagina distended a little. Then, using a small spatula inserted in the vagina and gently scraped on the internal surface, a quantity of cells are removed for analysis. The test is perfectly routine, and is uncomfortable rather than painful - less so if you can relax as much as possible. Lab results usually show no cause for concern.

[5029]

The internal examination with a finger is not always done

[Lennon]

This isn't going to sound pretty, but I thought I'd post an answer as I wish I'd known more about it before I went and I might not have been so scared. Its easy to say try to relax and it doesn't hurt - but thats easier said than done, so rather than think about it, just go with the intention to get it over and done with as you need to get it done. The doctor will use a silver contraption that does actually look a bit like a penis (to help with insertion) They'll often use like a vaseline on it to make it less painful to insert. Then you lie down and they insert it and the tip if you like kind opens up inside you and there's a swab thing there which scrapes a little bit of the cells. And thats it. As long as you concentrate enough to relax your muscles, it doesn't hurt - the scraping doesn't hurt. If you think about it, us women go through enough pain with pregnancy, period pains, giving birth - you'll come out of the doctors wishing all of it was as painless! Good luck!