There are many reasons why a smear test may be painful, including:
Vaginismus
, which is when the vagina suddenly tightens as you try to put something into it. Endometriosis. Cervical ectropion (cervical erosion)
Why do I feel nauseous after a Pap smear?
A persistent feeling of nausea or indigestion can be
a sign of cancer
, and that includes cervical cancer, says Dr Shirazian. That’s because, when advanced, cervical cancer can cause the cervix to swell into the abdominal cavity, compressing the gastrointestinal tract and stomach to cause or even acid reflux, she says.
Can you feel unwell after a smear test?
Most women feel fine after having treatment for abnormal cervical cells but
some may feel unwell and need to go home and rest
.
Do you feel unwell with cervical cancer?
Fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, and general feeling of illness. A
swollen abdomen
, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
What are the side effects of a smear test?
- bleeding larger amounts than typical spotting.
- severe cramping.
- bleeding that lasts longer than three days.
- bleeding that gets heavier, not lighter, following the exam.
- heavy bleeding that requires more than one pad in an hour.
- dark blood with clots or very bright red blood.
Is it normal to feel bad after a Pap smear?
It’s totally normal for women to experience a little bit of discomfort following a pelvic exam
, especially if it’s their first one. It’s also common for women after a pap test to have mild cramping and/or light bleeding for a couple of days after a pap test (smear).
Should you bleed after a smear test?
You may have some spotting or light bleeding after your cervical screening test. This is very common and should
go away after a few hours
.
What stage of cervical cancer do symptoms show?
Symptoms do typically appear with
early-stage cervical cancer
. With advanced cancer or cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, the symptoms may be more severe depending on the tissues and organs to which the disease has spread.
What can be mistaken for cervical cancer?
One situation sometimes seen by clinicians performing pelvic exams for abnormal bleeding that can be confused with cervical cancer is
a prolapsed uterine fibroid
. In this situation a large mass is seen on pelvic exam coming from the cervix.
Where does your back hurt with cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer primarily affects women between the ages of 35-44, but any age post-puberty is vulnerable. Constant ache
around the lower back and pelvis area
are one of the easiest symptoms to go unnoticed. Be aware if conditions last more than a week or traditional relief does not work.
What should you not do before a smear test?
Avoid intercourse, douching
, or using any vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies for two days before having a Pap smear, as these may wash away or obscure abnormal cells. Try not to schedule a Pap smear during your menstrual period. It’s best to avoid this time of your cycle, if possible.
Does a smear test break the hymen?
It’s not a comfortable exam, but if it’s done gently, with a small speculum (which is inserted into the vagina to open it for the pap smear),
then it won’t tear your hymen
.
Is it normal to have pain after pelvic exam?
It’s totally normal for women to experience a little bit of discomfort following a pelvic exam
, especially if it’s their first one. It’s also common for women after a pap test to have mild cramping and/or light bleeding for a couple of days after a pap test (smear).
Is it normal to feel crampy after a cervical check?
Cervical checks can also
cause cramping, spotting
, and overall discomfort for a few hours or days. Cervical checks are not necessarily a good indicator as to whether or not you will go into labor soon.
Why does the speculum hurt so much?
While plastic specula aren’t as cold as their traditional counterparts are,
they can be harder to insert and remove
, thus causing extra discomfort. A plastic speculum clicks when locked in position, distressing the patient.
What should I wear to a Pap smear?
Because you will need to remove all clothing from the waist down for a Pap smear, you might consider wearing
a dress or skirt
so that all you have to take off is your underwear and shoes, but this is purely a personal preference. It may be just as easy for you to slip out of a pair of jeans, slacks, or sweatpants.
