Smear test- bleeding after and annoyed with nurse

[Nanodust]

I had a smear test today. I received a letter in the post saying it was due. I am not on my period and not expecting to be for another week.

The nurse asked me to tell the start day of my last period. I couldn’t remember exactly and she said that the new NHS guidelines meant she could not give me a smear test unless I knew the exact date.

I explained I had taken time off work to attend and there had been nothing in the letter or any guidance about this. She then agreed to do it but suggested it may come back abnormal and I would need another one.

She then asked me if I could be pregnant. I said I didn’t think so, she asked me what I used for contraception and I said condoms. She then asked me why I wasn’t on the pill, then suggesting I get a coil. She went on to tell me about a 52 year old woman who had recently been in pregnant. She also said she couldn’t give me a smear unless I wasn’t 100% sure I wasn’t pregnant. I told her that I wasn’t as I’d been using condoms.....

Then she did my smear. She held up the brush thing after and told me there was blood. I was quite alarmed as there was quite a lot of blood. She told me I was on my period, which I am not. I asked her why this had happened and she said the new smear brushes were a bit ‘rougher’. The sample was red as there was a fair bit of blood and she said it might not work.

I am not on my period and used a party liner after and there was a bit of blood to cover the pantyliner but there is no longer any bleeding. It wasn’t sure at any point and I don’t normally bleed after sex etc.

So is it normal to bleed like that and any thoughts regarding the general approach of the nurse?

[Terrylene]

Grim. It never used to be like this

I think they get brownie points or something for 'counselling' you on LARC - now I have my notes online, I can see when my previous surgery did this - sometimes it appears I went in specially for this .

I always have some light spotting afterwards, ever since they brought in those brushes. Hopefully if you have to have it repeated, there is another nurse?

[kikibo]

Haven't had a smear in years (about to have one in January?), but some bleeding is possible if you're close to your period, I was told by my doctor in Belgium who did mine.

Seems pretty normal to me, though I think the amount of blood must have been down to her (possibly bad?) Technique or rough material.

Her attitude was definitely appalling. I wouldn't have let her do one.

[OlennasWimple]

I always bleed after a smear, and the new brushes are horrific (who designs them? Tests them? Decides that they are better than the previous tools?)

[chocolateorangeowls]

I had one about a month ago and she didn’t need to know date of last period but it was recommended that I went in the middle of two periods to get the best result.

[Nanodust]

Thank you for reassurance. The nurse is retiring in 2 weeks so hopefully I want see her again.

She also once criticised me for being a working mum, suggesting I sell my house and live in a cheaper area to be with my children 😔

[Nanodust]

Won’t see her again not want- typo

[Terrylene]

- is she on a mission to burn her boats before she retires!

[Nanodust]

Maybe 😜. Just felt I had to run away before she pinned me down and inserted a coil.....!

[Thecontinualgardener]

I'm a smear taker and am not aware of any essential reason to know when the last period was. I was at a smear up date a few months ago and nothing mentioned. To give advice on LARC is a target thing. Re the bleeding, that can happen. Occasionally the cervix can bleed on contact as its more friable than other tissue. This doesn't mean there's anything wrong. Sometimes when the sample is heavily blood stained it can result in 'unsatisfactory' smear. This it a pita for patient as obviously they have to get it repeated. Its also a bit of a black mark against the smear taker as we're contunually being audited. If the get a few in a row there's a stewards enquiry!
Sorry you had an unpleasant experience :-(. We're not all like that x

[Neoflex]

When I found out I was pregnant I changed doctors so they didn't have the results of my last smear. So the doctor did another one. There wasn't any reason not to have the smear while pregnant.

[Elusiveone]

I had one today and omg those new plastic things they use are nasty. Really hurt and the clamps. Bet a man designed that. I bled to after mine. Life of being a women ;(

[Chewbecca]

I had a smear a fortnight ago, most painful one ever, I was arching and trying to get away. Whilst trying to make myself stay still. Hadn't thought it might be because of different tools. Damn. I bled a little after too.

[tehmina23]

What does LARC mean?