Tag: smear tests

Gynaecologist reveals her top 10 tips for making pap smears more comfortable

 Expert advice released for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17th – 23rd) aims to raise awareness of the importance of regular smear tests to help prevent cervical cancer, as there are over 3,000 new cases of each year.

Pap smears are one of the best ways to detect cervical cancer, however, the pandemic has seen less people attend their appointment, which could potentially have life-changing impacts.

To encourage people to get their pap smear, intimate wellbeing brand INTIMINA’s in-house gynaecologist, Dr Shree Datta, shares her top tips on how to make your pap smear test more comfortable.

  1. Time your appointment around your period

If you have painful or heavy periods, having a smear test during your period may be more uncomfortable, so it’s worth considering booking a test when you’re not scheduled to be on your period. Additionally, heavy bleeding can affect your smear test results and we may not be able to see your cervix clearly, so you may have to have the smear repeated. It can be normal to bleed after a smear, but if you experience bleeding after sex or in between periods, do tell your doctor.

  1. Make sure you’re comfortable with your doctor 

It’s important to feel relaxed, so make sure you are comfortable with the person who is taking your smear. Tell your doctor beforehand if you have had problems with examinations previously or if this is your first smear test. Remember, your doctor has taken many smears before so there is no need to feel embarrassed, or worry about the type of underwear you are wearing. As a gynaecologist, I don’t notice whether you have shaved your legs, I’m simply glad you have attended your smear test given it’s an important health check. 

  1. Don’t rush 

Make sure you’re not in a hurry, as this can make you feel more tense. Try to schedule enough time for your appointment so you don’t feel rushed. 

  1. Wear something comfortable

It’s more convenient to have a smear taken when wearing a skirt or a dress, as you only need to take off your underwear and you may feel less self conscious.

  1. Ask for a small speculum to be used with lubricant

It’s worth asking for a small speculum with lubricant applied before it’s inserted into your vagina, as this reduces the uncomfortable sensation of stretching when we take a smear. However, be aware that we may need to change the speculum size if we cannot get a clear view of your cervix using a small speculum because this may otherwise impact on the quality of the smear obtained and you may need to get it repeated. Getting a clear view of your cervix at the time of the smear taking enables us to inspect the cervix as well as taking a full smear so we can visualise any abnormalities.

  1. Change your position during smear taking

Some people find lying flat on their back for smear-taking very uncomfortable and we may not always get good views. An alternative position may be sitting on a gynaecologist couch or popping your fists under your bottom to tilt your cervix forward. If your doctor has had problems visualising or obtaining a smear previously let the person taking your smear know this, so we can prepare accordingly.

  1. Focus on your breathing 

Use deep breathing techniques during your smear test to relax your pelvic muscles so that we can obtain a full smear. 

  1. Empty your bladder

Going to the toilet to empty your bladder before your appointment may also be helpful to help you feel more relaxed. 

  1. Consider taking  pain relief beforehand

Consider taking some pain relief half an hour to an hour before your smear test if you find it uncomfortable. 

  1. Bring a friend or family member

Previously you may have been able to bring a friend to your appointment to talk to you whilst you have a smear taken, check if you are able to do so but please note that  this option may not be available due to COVID-19 currently.

INTIMINA’s UK Marketing and Communications Manager Marcella Zanchi said: “As an intimate wellbeing brand, we hope that with the help of Dr Shree, we can reassure and encourage women to get their pap smear test and feel comfortable and confident to do so.”

No need to RiRi-apply!

Fenty Beauty tops charts in Which? lipstick tests

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty has beaten rivals including the iconic Chanel Rouge Coco as Which? tests reveal the red lipstick with the greatest staying power.

Red lipstick may be a staple item in every make-up bag, but finding one that can survive a busy day, especially now face masks are a part of everyday life, can be a challenge.

Which? tested 10 matte and satin lipsticks, from brands including Chanel, Maybelline and Tom Ford, to find the lipstick that held up best when faced with the rigours of modern life.

Three Which? researchers, aged between 24 and 56, tested each lipstick in different scenarios: while wearing a face mask and reading out loud, eating three different types of food, and kissing the back of their hand.

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint was the top choice for all three Which? experts and was awarded a Which? Editor’s Choice. It maintained its colour through all tests and was the only lipstick that did not require a touch-up or additional application.

Described by Fenty Beauty as a “weightless, long-wear liquid lipstick with a soft matte finish”, the Stunna Lip Paint triumphed when tested with face masks, which involved the researchers wearing a white face mask, with the lipstick on, and reading aloud a 900-word article. The Fenty Beauty Lip Paint left only a faint stain on the masks.

The £20 Lip Paint also performed well and retained its colour during the food test, which involved taking two bites of a muffin and an apple while wearing the lipstick, as well as tackling 40g of plain buttered spaghetti. Which?’s researchers noted that the matte formula “wasn’t drying like some of the other matte lipsticks”.

While Fenty Beauty claimed the top spot as the best lipstick for staying power, L’Oreal’s affordable Matte Liquid Lipstick was the second favourite for two Which? researchers and joint-top for another.

As a worthy contender, it was also awarded a Which? Editor’s Choice. At just £10.99, the lipstick retained its colour well throughout all tests, with the testers also commenting that it was hard to remove after the tests were completed.

Chanel’s Rouge Coco in the Carmen shade, which at £33 was the second most expensive lipstick tested, performed disappointingly in Which? tests and finished at the bottom for two of the three Which? experts.

The Chanel lipstick failed to maintain its colour during the tests, struggling particularly with the eating and kissing tests. For the latter, which involved researchers placing their lips on the back of their hand, the Rouge Coco left large red stains on their hands and testers noted colour loss on their lips.

Other lipsticks that failed to impress Which? testers included NARS Lipstick, which had the most loss of colour and bleeding during the food tests, and Maybelline Color Sensational Made for All Lipstick, with one researcher noting bleeding and smudging throughout testing.

While the Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick was also a contender with impressive staying power, other lipsticks such as Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution, Mac Matte Lipstick and Tom Ford Lip Colour earned mixed reviews.

Matthew Knight, Which? Product Testing Expert, said: ““No make-up bag is complete without a staple red lipstick, and for a long-lasting product that won’t fade after wearing a face mask and a bite to eat, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty beat contenders from some iconic brands in Which?’s tests.

“For a more affordable lipstick that retains its crimson colour during a typical day, consider L’Oreal’s Paris Rouge. Our tests revealed that if you’re looking for a long-lasting lippy, it’s worth opting for a liquid, matte finish lipstick over traditional bullet-style products.”

So now you know! – Ed.