Ever wondered exactly what happens during your smear test?
Well, one medical student - @violetmedusa - on TikTok has revealed the procedure in a recent video.
You can watch the clip below:
In the clip, the student explains the first step of the procedure is to apply lubricant to the sides of the speculum. Next, the speculum is inserted horizontally, before being turned vertically.
Once it's in place, the speculum is locked by tightening the screws, and the smear can be taken. The student explains how the tip of the spatula is inserted inside the cervix and turned clockwise.
It's then removed, smeared on a slide and sprayed with cytospray, which protects cells for microscopic examination.
And it's done!
Cervical screening is a test that helps prevent cervical cancer by testing for a virus called high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and - if you do have HPV - any cervical cell changes (also referred to as abnormal cells).
According to Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, cervical screening - along with the HPV vaccine - is the best way to protect against cervical cancer and prevents over seven in 10 diagnoses.
In other TikTok health news, a clip has gone viral on TikTok for revealing exactly how an IUD is removed.
Posted by Sarah - aka @midwifemama on TikTok - the midwife revealed exactly what happens when the coil is removed.
An IUD is a small T-shaped device made from plastic and copper that is inserted into the uterus. It releases copper into the womb which alters the mucus in the cervix to make it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg.
In the clip, the IUD can be seen being removed from the uterus using what appears to be ring forceps, which attaches to the threads of the IUD.
The arms of the coil fold up and the IUD can then be removed out of the cervix and then the vagina. In many cases, it can take as little as five minutes to remove an IUD.
You can watch the video here.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock
Lucy Devine