Painful, awful, and just plain awkward - those were the words used by people I have heard after having a smear test.
On Tuesday, it was the dreaded day that I had to get my very first smear done. I turned 25 a few months back - the earliest age eligible for the treatment - and still hadn't been for a test. I had seen the never ending posters and social media spam and heard the word of the mouth on the importance to get this dreaded test, so it was time to put my big girl pants on and book myself in for an appointment.
It is commonly known that a lot of women do put off the test in fear of it being a horror show. I mean, having a rod shoved up your vagina by a stranger isn't fun at all... One reviewer told Stylist magazine they "ran for the hills", while others described the test as "painful" and "terrifying". While I wasn't nervous per se, hearing about these experiences were pretty unsettling for a first-timer.
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For those who are not aware, pap smear tests can detect cervical cancer and/or any unusual changes down below. The doctor takes a cluster of cells from a woman's cervix to be examined and if HPV is found, the individual is called back in for a further examination. The results come back in six weeks.
I went to Leeds' The Light Surgery and sat among all the other women twiddling their thumbs and waiting for their names to be called out. Walking into the room, the doctor instantly made me feel comfortable.
I sat down for a consultation and in the corner of my eye could see the dreaded sheet where I knew I was about to be laying with my legs in the air to a complete stranger. Oddly I wasn't nervous as I thought to myself 'this woman must have seen so many different vaginas'. To her it is just her job and she isn't her to judge.
I have listened to a lot of women say they are embarrassed about not grooming properly beforehand, or feeling unconfident about how their vagina looks. Women have to remember that doctors are not judging you, they don’t care how you look – it’s not a vagina catwalk. It’s a necessary and vital medical screening procedure that could save your life.
I was curious why I had to even have the test, as I have had a cervical cancer vaccination (HGV vaccine), but the doctor explained that it is not 100 percent effective and the vaccination acts as a barrier, so it is always best to get checked just in case. She explained every step of what was going to happen and I felt at ease.
She told me to strip off my bottom half and sit on the bed, placing a sheet on top of my lower stomach for modesty. There's no doubt it was a little uncomfortable - especially when the doctor said to "open my legs like a frog". Regardless, we were chit-chatting which made my relax. She explained that she was going to use a speculum to open the cervix and take a swab.
3,2,1, the speculum was in. 3,2,1 the swab was taken. "Oh, is that it?," I asked. I honestly could not believe how quick it was. You can definitely feel something happening, but it did not hurt or put me in any pain. Out of 10, I would say the pain was a 1.
I popped my clothes back on, spoke to the doctor about what happens next, and that was it. I couldn't believe how quick, easy, and pain free it was. I walked out of the surgery feeling released that this test, which has such scary connotations, was something I would be able to do again.
I would like to say that I do understand that I am at the youngest end of the smear spectrum, without any underlining health issues, and know everyone has different bodies, different pain thresholds, different health issues, and different views. One experience won't be the same for everyone, but a doctor can cater to your individual needs and preferences.
Two minutes of discomfort against knowing about having a life-threatening illness? Nervousness or worrying about being judged really isn't worth risking it. I would happily get another smear and would encourage anyone who hasn't had one to book now. Please don't put it off ladies.
