Here's a pic -



Cervical smears are not going to damage your bits. Pre-cancerous cells can be found and treatment instigated early on because of these screening tests. Each year, women still die from cervical cancer. Not many cells are needed.

If this is any help at all,i have yearly smears due to having reoccurrent problems 3 times and had treatment again last year.My point is ,i had a referral put in and was seen within 3 weeks and got treatment on that same day.And im in QLD
donna
good luck

The last time I had mine done I was told that I could pay an extra $30 or so and have a more thorough test, which picks up more than the normal one. I was a bit confused but thought that I had better have that done

Me neither, I was told that it was very unlikely to return as treatment is 99% successful but obviously they want to follow up.

I don't post much but always look forward to Amazulu's responses. They are fun and cool. He sounds just like my husband - who is South African and I suspect he is too.

best of luck with all the results etc.
ps: last time I saw my Obstetricion for my son's 6 week check he decided it was time for a pap smear... and it was my BIRTHDAY!! charming...

It's not the implement used to collect the cells that bothers me, it's that bl**dy other thing they use to do the job. It really hurts

I find they vary a lot in discomfort depending on different people who do them - had a couple in the UK where it really felt like someone was scraping barnacles and had 'period pains' all day. But other times not at all.

I can relate to that. The first time my GP did the barnacle thing so the second time I was a bit apprehensive. But then you could choose between the GP doing it or the medical assistant. Didn't feel a thing. When I asked her if she really was finished she said, that the male GP's generally (sorry don't want to offend anyone) are a bit barnacally .

Miranda

dont they use the new smaller plastic one now? No where near as bad the metal one.

Yep we use the plastic disposible ones one, nice and gentle. I've been told on many occasions that I don't hurt! One woman today was shocked that I'd done it, said she didn't feel a thing. I think its all about the practitioner, their approach and how nervous the woman is. Trust me girls, I don't even think about doing them and never remember much afterwards (hubby says same thing too) Was in the Warehouse a few weeks ago and a lass came up to me said "Hi Annie hows everything, how are the kids", I chatted away merrily with her, thinking to myself, I know her from somewhere???? Couldn't figure it out until she said "must come and see you for my pap result, its been a week"! Then it dawned on me!