An inclined uterus may mean that the smear causes extreme pain and discomfort

For over 30 years, smear has been the leading defense against the scourge of cervical cancer, detecting the warning signs of the deadly disease that affects more than 3,000 women a year.

Since screening began in the 1980s, the number of cases has decreased by an average of 7% per year.

However, alarming new statistics reveal that the use of screening is at its lowest level, what a slowing expert attributes to young women who are conscious of the body who feel too embarrbaded to be tested.

That means ten years after the death of reality star Jade Goody of the disease at age 27, which has caused a significant increase in the number of spectators at the smear. The impact of his death seems to have completely disappeared.

But is it just embarrbading that deters women from going for screening?

Not always, according to experts. Many women are put off because they find the process painful and even traumatic.

It is estimated that one in five women has a so-called uterus inclined, also known as retroverted or pointed uterus, which can make smear extremely painful.

This means that the uterus or uterus is tilted backwards, pointing down the back rather than toward the belly, as it should be.

This can be due to various reasons, including weakening of the pelvic muscles – often due to delivery – an enlarged uterus or simply genetics.

An inclined uterus can be detected by routine examinations during pregnancy or another examination, including during badual health appointments.

But since this anatomical difference does not usually cause other problems, many women are aware that they are affected – which could explain why some people report extreme discomfort during a Pap smear.

The procedure, also called a cervical cancer screening test, is offered every three years to all women aged 25 to 49 and every five years to those aged 50 to 64 years.

During the test, a doctor or nurse gently inserts an instrument called speculum into the bad to keep it open and view the cervix of the uterus.

With a small soft brush, they then collect the cells from the surface of the cervix for testing.

This is not a cancer screening test, but abnormal cervical cells that indicate a problem.

If abnormal cells are detected, women may be recalled for a new smear or be subjected to colposcopic examination, during which the cervix is ​​closely examined and, if necessary, tissue biopsies may be taken and tested for cancer.

The NHS admits that some women find the cervical screening test uncomfortable, but this problem can usually be overcome by trying to relax. The official notice reads: "Taking slow, deep breaths might help."

However, for women whose uterus is tilted, it may be necessary to take cervical swabs in a different way to avoid causing discomfort, says Dr. Tracie Miles, Nurse Specialist. cancer in gynecology at The Eve Appeal, a charitable organization funding research on gynecological cancer prevention.

"It can sometimes be difficult for the doctor or nurse performing the test to see the cervix when they have introduced the speculum," she says.

"This means that the device needs to be moved until the cervix can be seen, which can cause discomfort or pain."

Recent research from the Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, which advocates for excellence in cervical cancer treatment and prevention, found that 36% of women who regularly attend cervical cancer screening fear that this will be their problem. hurt.

The charity's online forum is full of publications from women with a negative experience: "The test was so painful that I was in tears," one of them wrote.

Another states, "My first two smears were horrible because the nurse could not find my cervix. It took a number of attempts to find him, leaving me uncomfortable and anxious. It discourages me to leave for another and I leave him six years. "

Hayley Smith, of London, knows all about the discomfort that can cause a tilt of the uterus during a smear.

For her, smears have always been "uncomfortable" and have often left her "a lot of pain afterwards".

It was only after being informed by a nurse last year of her uterine inclination that Hayley, 30, had better understood herself.

"I thought pain was a given, but now that I know there is something that causes it, I can badure myself that the doctors are aware and prevent persistent discomfort."

So what can women do if their uterus is inclined to reduce the risk of pain and discomfort? Miles suggests that a few simple steps could have a dramatic effect.

She states, "If a woman has had a traumatic or painful experience during an earlier screening test, she should move on to the next – or if she misses one, make an appointment immediately for one – and tell the nurse or doctor what happened. .

"She should make sure that it's written down in her medical notes to help guide testing in the future.

"The practitioner will then be aware and able to conduct the procedure with greater care, helping the woman to feel more comfortable.

"Some women say they feel more comfortable by simply placing their hands under the bottom or back to tilt the pelvis upwards, allowing them to align with the speculum. The nurse will also be able to tell the patient if he has an inclined uterus. "

A small recent study showed that the use of a lubricant during the examination reduced the pain and had no adverse effect on the samples.

Dr. Miles adds, "The message is that even if you find it uncomfortable, armed with knowledge about your body, cervical cancer screening does not have to be so traumatic.

"And the test can really tell the difference between life and death – I urge you to attend your screening."

Have you ever wondered why … Some babies are born with very thick hair?

ALL babies are born with hair – called lanugo – but this often disappears a month before birth because pregnancy hormones that accelerate hair growth decrease. The lanugo is eventually replaced by adult hair.

But some babies with some genetic makeup are born with a particularly pigmented and thick lanugo. This is common among babies of the Middle Eastern or Indian heritage.

A fair-skinned baby and a brown-haired baby may have the same number of hair, but increased pigmentation will make the hair look thicker.

Yes please …

Elementary herbology muscle

Apply this moisturizer after exercise. The mixture of anti-inflammatory turmeric, bee wax and lavender helps relieve aches and pains.

£ 15, elementary herbology.com

Hacks of health

Do not cram before an exam

Study sessions that last all night will not help you pbad an exam. In fact, they will make you forget important details.

According to a recent study published in the journal Neuroscience, the brain can only train a limited number of new connecting pathways in a single session.

Neuroscientists at the University of Texas say that instead, we should learn new information every week and then after a few weeks, increase this information every day.

This process greatly increases the connectivity between neurons, indicating that the brain has kept information.