Fun fact: when we first started HANX, co-founder Dr Sarah Welsh introduced herself as “the girl who looks at sinuses all day”. Professionally speaking, she’s really seen it all when it comes to front legs, thanks to her many years working in NHS gynecology and obstetrics – which comes in very handy when it comes to getting real about big subjects.
This Cervical Cancer Awareness Week focuses on increasing awareness and acceptance of cervical screening, with 1 in 3 people with sinusitis do not attend a smear test (also known as a Pap smear in the US) when asked to do so. They are currently available to anyone in the UK with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64.
Have you ever had a cervical screening? It’s been longtime? Let Dr. Sarah take a load off your mind. Here are eight things not to worry about, from the bay girl herself:
1. Wearing nice underwear
Save Agent Provocateur for the bedroom, baby. From comfortable thongs to thongs, oh my gosh, you don’t have to think twice about what underwear to wear on your date. In fact, we don’t even get a glimpse of your options as we step away behind a curtain to give you the privacy to take off your pants and get comfortable before we begin the smear test.
2. Hair removal/shaving
Au natural, landing strip or Hollywood: it’s your call. Remember, it’s not just for cosmetic purposes. Pubic hair is basically a natural lubricant, helping to ease friction during skin-to-skin contact (okay, okay, we’re talking about sex). It also protects you from bacteria and wicks away sweat, and if you wash often, it’s definitely not unhealthy. Whether you decide to hug the bush, do a little maintenance or go smooth as a seal, we don’t judge – and we’ve seen it all!
3. Body acne
Don’t let the points stop you, either. From ingrown hairs to razor burn, the odd pimple or body acne, they shouldn’t get in the way of your date. The average healthcare professional has seen some pretty wild things in their day (ask me about the most unusual things I’ve recovered from sinuses), so skin conditions aren’t going to put off getting the best possible smear test.
4. Your body shape
Body image can affect everything from our libido to our mental health and even attending important medical appointments. Research by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust showed that 50% of young women surveyed feel embarrassed to attend because of their weight or body shape. We can’t stress this enough: cervical screening saves lives. Your healthcare professional is interested in performing the test and getting the best possible sample for testing – not your body shape.
5. Body odor
The same survey showed that 54% are concerned about whether their vagina smells “normal”. The simple answer: don’t be. The long answer: it’s no surprise that people are concerned about their body odor when misogynistic jokes about fishy vaginas abound alongside the myth of the “perfect vagina” (see below). In general, vaginal odor tends to be mildly musky and can be a bit spicy or sweaty depending on your pH balance. If you notice a strong, foul smell or anything unusual to you, talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional who will be able to work with you to figure out what’s going on. As for during your appointment: if we notice anything that might indicate a yeast infection, like thrush, bacterial vaginosis (which can smell like fish), or anything unusual, we’ll help you – it’s no big deal.
6. Streaks
Stretch marks are ridges on the skin that can appear purple, red or brown depending on your skin color and are caused by the stretching or rapid shrinking of the skin. Hormonal changes, medication, growth through puberty and weight loss or gain, especially during pregnancy or after giving birth, can leave you with so-called ‘tiger stripes’. The tabloid culture of the 2000s particularly fueled the stigma surrounding their appearance, but there’s nothing surprising about their existence. In fact, most of us do at some point in our lives!
7. How your lips look
There’s enough material to write an entire book on vulva shaming (in fact, we were once asked to do just that!), starting with the labia, also known as the fleshy folds of skin or “lips” on the outside of the genitals. your organs. They have one very important purpose: to protect the openings of your vagina and urethra from bacteria, friction and dryness. However, they don’t get the love they deserve and are often subject to shame and stigma. Pervasive attitudes around what makes a “beautiful trick” (side note: we can teach All to use the correct terminology from a young age? It’s a vulva!) combined with “neat”, perfectly symmetrical vulva in porn have created a false narrative around our bodies. Take a trip to London Gulf Museum to learn more about the diversity of the vulva or discover British artist Lydia Reeves vulva casts, which capture the incredibly wide and beautiful range of vulvas out there. Yes, it’s time to love your lips in all their unique glory.
8. Being nervous
Talk to your doctor or nurse about what to expect. They will go through the process with you and put you at ease. Check out TikTok too, where there’s a lot of people share their experiences and help debunk it. If you’re worried or have had a family/friend develop cervical cancer, it’s often tempting to go for screening earlier than you’re invited to (they start at age 25 in England). However, if you have no symptoms, this is not helpful. Cervical screening in young women is more likely to detect normal cellular changes, which may lead to unnecessary treatment, while not changing the number of cancer cases. Remember, cervical cancer in people under the age of 25 is very rare.
Do they want more?
- We have subscribed to Jo’s Trust’s Time to Test campaign, which aims to address one of the key barriers to accessing a smear test: fitting an appointment into your work life. 38% of women and other people with cervix were unable to book a convenient appointment the last time they tried. We are committed to giving our time flexibility to attend the cervical vital check during working hours – LEARN HOW you can also set it up in your own workplace.
- From abnormal results to treatment: learn more in our guide you need to know in cervical cancer.
