“Why does a massage and wellbeing company want to talk about smear tests?” I hear you ask. Just Flourish is about encouraging you to look after your overall wellbeing which includes informing you about things like smear tests. In addition, the majority of my clients are women and getting a smear test should be part of a normal life style and preventative health care.
This week is cervical cancer prevention week and according to The Guardian women are avoiding smear tests due to fears about the look or the smell of their vagina (1). Avoiding a smear test is a problem because cervical cancer causes two women a day to lose their life, nine a day are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 75% of cervical cancers could be prevented with screening (2).
This is a 5 minute test every three years that could save your life. It isn’t the most comfortable thing to endure and yes, it may be embarrassing, but these will pass whereas cervical cancer will not without early detection. I do not enjoy these tests either but I have had a regular smear test since I was 16 years old and due to gynaecological issues I have exposed my own vagina to more people than I care to mention.
Personally, I would prefer five minutes of discomfort to losing my life or being ill. Imagine for a second how it would feel to be diagnosed with a cancer that could have been prevented with a 5 minute test. Now imagine your five minute test: you get it, you walk away and you go and do something nice, and in a month you have the all clear. Which of these scenarios is more appealing?
I very much understand the fear and discomfort associated with having this kind of check-up. However, you must find ways to move through the fear and discomfort. Since I am a veteran of speculum check-ups and internal scans I thought I would write tips on how to rebound from these examinations. Maybe something on this list will help you when you next get an examination.
- Your healthcare practitioner sees thousands of vaginas a day, yours is not special!
- Your healthcare practitioner is doing a job, they are looking at anatomy and haven’t got time to judge you.
- Most vaginas smell of something! If you are concerned have a bath or shower before you go but you won’t eradicate the natural and normal smell of a vagina!
- Your healthcare practitioner is basically looking at your vagina like they would look at any other body part.
- Tell your healthcare practitioner you are uncomfortable and they will help you feel more comfortable.
- If you feel invaded by your test then make sure to schedule something directly after your test that restores calm and control to your body, like a massage. Having our bodies held positively after invasive procedures can help return the body to feelings of calm and safety.
- Take a girl friend or mother with you who can empathise with what you are experiencing. Why not have a girl’s day afterwards?
- Eat your favourite food before and after your test or treat yourself in other ways that make you feel good.
- Use mindfulness techniques to help you through the exam. I usually wiggle my toes and concentrate my attention there. If wiggling your toes doesn’t work then try putting your hands on your belly and using deep abdominal breathing.
- Be curious about gynaecological tests and try not to focus on the physical sensations if that makes you uncomfortable.
- Talk about the examination with empathetic friends, ask them what their experiences were and how they manage their tests.
- Keep in mind that you’re exchanging 5 minutes of your time for three years of living knowing you do not have cancer or other health problems.