A smear test is a health check on your cervix to check for pre-cancerous cells. Also known as a cervical screening, its a test to HELP prevent cervical cancer. It is offered to women in the UK aged 25 and above every 3 years. You can read more about smear tests and how they’re done on the NHS website here.
Believe it or not, 1 in 4 women don’t attend their smear test. I know they all have their own reasons why they don’t go, but it really is important for you to have it done. I understand the thought of someone you don’t know looking at your vagina can be daunting but it can potentially save your life.
There is absolutely no reason to be embarrassed on what your vagina looks like. Just like humans, they come in all different shapes and sizes and the nurse who does it has seen it all before. If I’m honest, they’re not down there long enough really to take much notice. They’re too busy focusing on what they need to do.
I do understand why people wouldn’t want to go through with it if they’ve previously suffered with any sort of trauma. But this 5 minute appointment every 3 years could save your life. The nurses go through with you everything they’re going to do. They go through why and they’re always there to answer any of your questions. If you feel uncomfortable or nervous let them know. Talk to them about it. Explain your situation. They’ll do their very best to make sure you’re as comfortable as you can be. You can even bring a friend or family member in with you to distract you.
Not going for your smear test can result in you getting cancer and potentially losing your life. In a nutshell they just test for any changes in the cells in your cervix. If you have changes you go for another appointment so they can examine them and see how they’ve changed. If it turns out those cells are cancerous then you go in to have the rest of those cells removed. They literally remove the cells to stop you from getting cancer.
As someone who absolutely hates the thought of anyone going near my vagina due to my own insecurities, I am telling you to just do it. BOOK YOUR SMEAR TEST. Go now! It only takes 5 minutes (most of that time is the nurse explaining everything and you getting yourself undressed). Do it for your family. Do it for your friends. Do it for everyone who has lost their lives to it. Just book your smear and lets all try and beat cancer together.
I definitely know I need to do this and the reason I haven’t is because I’m so darned insecure and overthink every little thing. I find it awkward but in some ways I guess it would be easier with a stranger because they don’t know you so they can’t really judge you x
Totally. They’d never judge you, it’s their job! They see so many a day that honestly they probably won’t even remember what you look like by the end of it. x