EMBARASSMENT and fear have been listed as two of the most common reasons for missing out on a smear test.

Charities across the UK have reported that women and people with cervixes have reported feeling uncomfortable with the idea of being undressed or worried the examination could be painful.

NHS Scotland has revealed exactly what to expect when attending the vital appointment and the process thereafter.

Cervical screening tests are available to anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 years old every five years.

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The test was previously carried out to identify abnormal cells within the cervix, which would allow medics to catch the abnormalities before they mutated into cancerous form.

However, recent changes mean the results are now tested for human papillomavirus (HPV).

The extremely common virus infects four out of five people and is normally cleared by the body itself, but it can sometimes be more difficult to get rid of.

Even those who have received the HPV vaccination will be invited to attend a screening.

Certain types of HPV, known as high-risk forms, can cause cell changes which, if left untreated for a long time, can cause cervical cancer.

It tends not to cause any symptoms meaning it's vital to attend appointments to ensure the checks can be carried out early – when patients are nine times more likely to survive than when the disease is found at a later stage.

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The new means of testing is understood to be more accurate at determining those who are at risk of developing the disease.

The changes, however, will not impact how the test is carried out or the experience for patients.

The test, itself, takes around five minutes although patients should expect to be at the clinic for around half an hour.

Patients are typically called to attend via a letter and will take place at GP surgeries or health centres.

Upon arrival, a nurse will discuss some general medical information before inviting the patient to go behind a curtain to undress from the waist down.

The patient will then be asked to lie on an examination table and there are a number of available positions to help people feel comfortable, such as lying on their back or their side.

NHS Scotland said requests can be made to have a nurse of a specific gender or different sizes of speculum to make the procedure more comfortable.

A cream or pessary can also be prescribed to those who have gone through or are going through menopause.

While uncomfortable, the test is not expected to be painful and nurses are on hand to help make the process as easy as possible.

The charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust offers help to anyone feeling uncomfortable or interested in finding out what options are available for their smear test. Visit their website for more.