Having a cervical smear test

How the smear is done

Before you have a cervical smear test, your smear taker will usually tell you how it is done. She or he will also explain about the National Cervical Screening Programme.

The smear taker will slide a plastic or metal speculum into the vagina to hold the vaginal walls open. This allows the smear taker to see the cervix and take the smear from the correct place. She or he will take a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix by lightly scraping with a thin spatula or brushing with a tiny plastic broom (cervibroom). Sometimes a tiny brush (cytobrush) is used as well. It takes only a few minutes to take the smear. The sample is either smeared onto a glass slide or placed in a liquid and sent to the laboratory for examination.

What should you wear?

You will have to remove trousers and underpants to have the smear taken so some women prefer to wear a skirt that they can keep on during the procedure. If you want a sheet or blanket to cover yourself during the smear, and it is not offered, ask for one.

When you have a cervical smear

You may like to take a support person with you. This could be a friend, family or whānau member, partner, nurse or interpreter.
You may prefer to have a smear taker from your own culture.
You may be given the option of lying on your back or on your side.
Many women find it helpful to breathe deeply and to relax the vaginal muscles when the speculum is being inserted.
If you want a sheet or blanket to cover yourself and it is not offered, ask for one.
Some women like to wear a skirt that they can keep on while having their smear.
Your smear taker may use either a plastic speculum or a metal speculum.
If you had a bad experience last time you had a smear, you can go to a different smear taker next time. It helps if you tell your new smear taker about your past experiences.
If you or someone in your family needs an interpreter, or has another special need, talk to the person making your appointment about how this can be arranged or ring the National Cervical Screening Programme, freephone 0800 729 729.

Will it hurt?

Some women find the test uncomfortable. Tell your smear taker if it hurts. If you have an infection at the time of your smear test it, it may be uncomfortable of even painful. Talk to your smear taker about whether you should wait until the infection has cleared.

If you are an older woman, you cervical smear test may be more uncomfortable because of the changes in the vagina after menopause. When you make an appointment, you can ask if it would be helpful to put some oestrogen cream in the vagina two weeks before the test.

What will it cost?

The cost of having a cervical smear test varies. If you have your smear done by your doctor or nurse, you can expect to pay the usual doctor's or nurse's fee. Sometimes you will have to pay more. It is a good idea to check the cost in advance.

Some communties offer a free or low-cost service. To find out where to go, ring the National Cervical Screening Programme on freephone 0800 729 729.

You may pay extra if you have a Liquid Based Cytology smear test. Some smear takers may charge more if they use a disposable speculum.