DIY smear tests

I had my smear test done yesterday, it was terribly painful as the nurse first of all told me I had a prolapsed uterus(put the fear of death in me) Then proceeded for the next 20 minutes scrapping around inside. 30 minutes later she said she hoped the test would not come back void ! I then asked about the prolapse uterus (thought this needed following up) to be told , no she saw wrong. After all these years having faithfully my smears done, with know pain, after this one I will be hesitant next time.

I’d just like to correct a common misunderstanding. Cervical smears do not collect cells from the lining of the womb.

The procedure to collect uterine tissue is a hysteroscopy. I suffered an agonising outpatient hysteroscopy without sedation, anaesthetic or pain relief some time ago. It should never have been an option in my case but the gynaecologist just went ahead, collected a biopsy and removed a large fibroid, piece by agonising piece, with a rotating blade. Because of this I am no longer able to have smears. Any future procedures will need to be carried out under general anaesthetic.