I recently got my Pap smear done. The last time I had one was five years ago. As a 29-year-old, I really should’ve done it sooner, since you’re supposed to get a Pap smear every three years before you turn 30.
But as I was lying on that bed, I had flashbacks of the last time, which was actually my first time, and I remembered exactly why I never went back after that. I remembered that really intimidating tool the nurse used to open me up, and just how uncomfortable and long it was. I could tell the nurse was having a tough time; she seemed frustrated and impatient with herself. She just couldn’t find my cervix.
That’s when I learned I have a “hidden cervix,” and that’s why it took her so long to find it. I remember her saying, “Next time you do your Pap smear, tell them to look to the far right,” (or left – I don’t remember exactly what she said, but it was definitely far something.
So once again, I found myself lying on a bed, doing my second Pap smear. I should note, I didn’t even walk into the doctor’s room that day planning to do one. But somehow, a conversation led us to talk about Pap smears, and I made the impulsive decision to just do it then and there.
The memory of my first experience played in my head, and honestly, I wanted to cry. I did manage to tell the doctor that apparently, I have a cervix you really have to look hard and long for, so with that in mind, she should please make it quick. She laughed and mentioned that she actually has some experience with those kinds of cervixes. But that didn’t make me feel any more at ease.So I did what I always do in situations that are really hard for me; I just went through it. And yes, she struggled to find my cervix too.
If you’ve ever had a Pap smear, you can probably imagine just how uncomfortable this was for me. Which is to say: extremely. But I did learn the medical term for this “hidden cervix” that day. It’s called a posterior cervix.
A posterior cervix. According to google, it is a condition where the cervix tilts backward towards the spine rather than forward. But what does that mean? As we both wonder. So imagine a door with a keyhole on the outside and another one on the inside. For you to unlock the door with ease, you need both the holes to be aligned. For a posterior cervix, these holes aren’t perfectly lined up. So when someone tries to find the cervix (the inside keyhole), it takes a bit more adjusting, angling, and time. Of course, our bodies are a bit more complicated than just using a door analogy but this is the best I’ve got so let’s go with it.
Having a posterior cervix is not really a medical problem so don’t panic if this is sounding a little too familiar. It’s a variation of how your body is shaped and it’s quite common. That said, it’s always helpful to know. Being aware means you can advocate for yourself during exams or procedures, and let whoever’s handling your vagina (medical professionals, of course!) know what to expect. That way, they can be better prepared and make the experience as smooth and comfortable as possible for you.
Back to pap smears. Despite my little rant above, a pap smear is one of the most important tests every woman (especially sexuallly active women) should get. The recommended guidelines are that we should get one every three years when we are between the ages of 21 and 29 and every five years when we are between the ages of 30 and 65. This is crucial because of all the different cases logged for women with cancer, about 7% of them are suffering from cervical cancer. And what is the biggest way to detect early stages of cancer in women? You guessed it; pap smear.
Don’t let the 7% fool you. That’s the global number. Here in South Africa, where only about 13% of women go for their pap smears (and that stat is pretty outdated), the actual risk could be much higher. If most women aren’t getting tested, it means problems aren’t being picked up early. And when that happens, more women are diagnosed late, when the cancer is harder to treat and outcomes are far more serious.
Now, if you’ve never had a pap smear before, you’re not alone. For many of us, no one ever really explained what it is or why it matters. Maybe it feels awkward, scary, or just something to deal with later. That’s completely valid.
But here’s the thing; a pap smear is a quick test (literally just a few minutes) where a doctor, a nurse or a healthcare provider gently collects cells from your cervix to check if everything looks healthy. No fancy machines ( just that one little tool that scared me. But you are not me, so there’s that), no overnight stay, and no need to be afraid. Yes, it’s uncomfortable for a moment, but that moment could save you years of health struggles later on.
Cervical cancer often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s already advanced. But, a pap smear can catch it early, even before it starts. And the good news? Cervical cancer is not only detectable. It’s one of the few cancers that’s actually preventable when caught early. That’s why regular testing matters.
So go get your pap smear done. It’s one of those things that can only do more good than harm. And honestly, the “harm” is just a few minutes of discomfort , a small price to pay for something that could quite literally save your life. It’s a way of making sure that five or ten years from now, you’re not sitting in a doctor’s office having a very different conversation. One about unusually long periods, persistent pelvic pain, strange discharge and the possibility of cancer treatment. Catch it early. Care for yourself now, so your future self doesn’t have to fight battles that could’ve been avoided.
Let’s also talk about it more. Let’s educate each other. Let’s hold each other’s hands through the uncomfortable parts. And most importantly, let’s be there for the many women out there who might not even know what a pap smear is because awareness shouldn’t be a privilege.
You’ve got this. We’ve got this.
PS: if you’re wondering where you can get your pap smear done in South Africa, here are some of your options ( Please consult for prices. Expect anything between R300 and R1 000 except for the public clinics):
- Marie Stopes
- Clicks Clinic
- Dischem Clinics
- Public Clinic
- Your general doctor
- Gynaecologists
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