Helen Flanagan has encouraged others to book her smear test, as she took to social media to stress the importance of getting the procedure done.
The former Coronation Street star, 34, took to Instagram last week on Valentine’s Day to share her experience when she attended a cervical cancer screening test.
The mum-of-three explained: “Had my smear test this morning was a bit worried about it but it was fine, it’s so important to have your smear test.”
She also candidly opened up about her slight hiccup with the experience, after attempting to have the screening done a few weeks prior, however she struggled due to the positioning of her cervix to have the test carried out.
Helen explained that “it was hard to do it but I’m so glad I’ve got it done and out of the way”. It comes as the actress has previously opened up to fans of her struggles with PMDD.
(PMDD) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that can cause depression, anxiety, and irritability. Symptoms can be so debilitating according to the NHS, that they impact daily life.
Other symptoms include headaches, joint and muscle pain, overeating and problems sleeping, feeling anxious, angry depressed and in some severe cases even suicidal. Some people also end up suffering with panic attacks and bad mood swings.
Helen recently shared, “the affect that hormones and PMDD can have on mental health is something I’ve always struggled with,” as she continues to share updates on Instagram with her followers who may also be struggling on her coping mechanisms.
In October last year, Helen, who shares her three kids with former partner Scott Sinclair, admitted she was curled up in bed with a glass of wine after feeling depleted with her health condition.
Updating her 1.1million followers on Instagram, Helen explained she had been struggling with her symptoms of PMDD, as she asked her fans for any recommendations for natural supplements to help.
“My PMDD has been so high this month and last x,” Helen wrote as she pouted for a glassy-eyed photo in bed with her hair scraped back as she sported a large fluffy dressing gown in bed.
She added: “In bed with a wine,” alongside a pink heart emoji before later uploading another update to her Instagram. She wrote: “My PMDD symptoms this month have been exhaustion like so tired like a pregnancy tired (when I’m defo not pregnant).”
Helen continued: “Anxious about things I wouldn’t usually be anxious about… headaches…”
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