In my experience, smear tests are one of the most nerve wracking concepts to get your head around. I had never had one until three months after giving birth to my daughter and to be honest, was still a bit delicate down below, so really didn’t want to go through with it. There was a horrible cloud of fear over me just in case I had to go back into hospital – which I really didn’t want to have to do! I was worried that it would hurt, be embarrassing and knew that it would involve far too much worrying until I finally got the results.

Anyway, I decided to have a chat with my sister in law (who had been having her smear tests regularly since she was 18, so the way I saw it, was more than experienced in that field as she is now just about to turn 35). I can’t recommend talking to someone about smears highly enough. Within about fifteen minutes she had managed to put my mind at ease and I decided to have the test done.

Well, test day came (far too quickly might I add) and I made my rather nervous way to the nurse. I can certainly vouch for it not hurting, didn’t get embarrassed (it’s nigh on impossible to make my cheeks redden) but sadly can also say that I didn’t stop thinking about it until I got my results. I think that here is the perfect opportunity to remind you all not to worry about your lady bits – who ever performs your smear, be it your doctor or nurse, will be very professional and have seen every shape and size of vagina know to man – or woman, you decide.

The test itself pretty much involves dropping your knicks and trousers/skirt, lying on the bed with your feet together but legs apart, the ‘chief’ getting there little platypus shaped instrument, inserting it down below and opening it up (trust me ladies, it sounds much, much worse than it actually is!) – This gives them the best view and access to the cervix. Then, they take a little swab from around the cervix and bobs your uncle – all done and over. I find it’s best to go in with a sense of humour.

About 6 weeks later I had my result – the part of this whole conundrum that I was most afraid of – and the letter read that there may be some abnormal changes to the cells. Of course, I panicked and cried. Six months later I was summoned for another test which I attended and, as usual, waited on the edge of my seat for the result. Fortunately all was well and my test result came back normal and they have asked if I can go back for another test in 6 months just to make sure.

The point I’m trying to make is that it is very, very common to get an ‘abnormal’ result and a large percentage of the women that get one of those horrid results will get a cleared follow up test. But for those that have another abnormal result, try not to worry too much. I understand that the first thing that shots to the front of your mind is “What if its cancer?” but all they do now is a little laser treatment during a colposcapy and that’s that!

I do hope that none of you have to go through that as I imagine that it’s very stressful and I would just like to send lots of courage and anti-blush vibes to you all. Drop those pants and go get ‘em girls!