I just had my first smear test (I had thought that I'd had one before at a sexual health clinic, but I don't remember it being this bad...)
Anyway, it was slightly uncomfortable/tense when they inserted the speculum, but very painful when collecting the sample - I almost cried. It's been a few hours and is still slightly uncomfortable, and there has been a small amount of blood.
Could this be because I only finished my period two days ago? I don't know if this is old blood that's been disturbed somehow (although my discharge has been clear for 2 days) or if it's new spotting from the procedure.
Also, I keep reading that it's not meant to be painful - just uncomfortable. Is it normal that mine hurt so much? It was like a stinging/scratching/pinching pain.