to complain about smear test?

YANBU. You’re not a product on a conveyor belt.

My last smear really upset me and it’s put me off having them. I hesitate to use the term but I have what can best be described as ‘medical trauma’ from years of painful procedures for endometriosis, so anything Down There is extremely anxiety-provoking for me. I explained this to the nurse but she just shrugged and said ‘endometriosis is on the inside, this is on the outside so it won’t hurt 🙄’ like I was a total idiot.

She asked me to get undressed and lie down but offered nothing for me to cover myself with. When she inserted the speculum I said I was experiencing pain but she continued. When she did the smear itself I yelped in pain and started shaking. She just said ‘all done’ and left the cubicle. I walked out in tears.

In contrast, when I went to a sexual health clinic to have my coil removed, the doctor was incredible and did everything she could to put me at ease and make the experience easier for me, including providing me with gas and air. I was crying my eyes out but she and her colleague were so kind.

It shouldn’t be like this. You deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness and patience, especially for such an intimate procedure.

I would give feedback. Also aren't they supposed to ask if you want a chaperone?

I've had one smear test and one transvaginal scan where the nurse/ radiographer have complained that its been difficult to do. I feel like if they think there's something wrong with me they should refer me to a dr for investigation rather than grumble at me.

Do raise concerns in writing to the practice manager. I'm surprised noone else has complained to date.

Please complain. That’s very poor practice.

I’m a smear trainer and mentor and would fail someone for that sort of behaviour.

Absolutely raise this.

It's disrespectful of the patient. At best, it's just uncomfortable. For women with experience of sexual assault, it may additionally be triggering.

Think about getting a blood test. A lot less intimate, much more routine. Still, I've always had the phlebotomist talk to me.

I wouldn't complain. But I would feedback. It's important for yourself and for the general care or women which is abysmal at the best of times.

She didn't seek your consent, so complain.

Her manner was awful. She could totally have put off a woman from having another smear.

Having to leave with your pants in your bag - bloody ridiculous.

She needs refresher training ASAP.

Of course you complain , if you don’t then she will just carry on with her dreadful bedside manner .If this was at your GP surgery write to the practice manager and be sure to tell them that you want to know how they have dealt with your complaint .

Sounds vile @didistutter56 I am so sorry this happened to you.

Totally unacceptable. Please do complain to the GP Practice!

Also, it sounds like (if you bled) that the results may be compromised. And you may have inconclusive results.

Happened to me when a rookie nurse did my smear some 15 years ago. She was fucking awful. Pinched me on the way in, shoved it in hard and rammed it against my cervix, and the opened the clamp so wide she nearly fucking split me! I yelped and jumped up, and she said 'whoops.' No apology and asking if I am OK or anything! She clearly had not done it often! I ached inside for about a week!

Anyway, some 5-6 weeks later I got a letter saying my results were inconclusive! It was because the silly moo hadn't taken enough 'cells!' So I had to go back and have it done again, and wait another 6 weeks for the results again. On top of that they refused to re-do it for 3 months as they 'wanted my cervix to settle down again.' So, it was like, half a year before I got a conclusive result! (Negative - thank fuck!)

Oh and yes I DID complain about this nurse and said she hurt me, and was very brusque and I do NOT want her again. I said I didn't want her disciplined or sacked, but just told to be a bit more gentle and kind! Receptionist apologised, but I don't know if anything was done. Never saw the nurse again. I think she may have moved on.

I would absolutely complain, yes. She should be gaining consent before inserting anything inside you- even though that’s why you’re there you are entitled to have changed your mind, need a minute, want to ask a question etc. She should also be giving you privacy to remove your underwear and get comfortable.

How awful. I’m so sorry.

YANBU
In my own Gynae clinic they used to have a ceiling poster of Brad Pitt as you were lying there. I kid you not 😂
At the point of entry the Nurse would ask if you had any holiday/Christmas plans.
It was fabulous 😁

I’d definitely feedback / complain, this doesn’t sound appropriate and could certainly be improved.

And I’m a GP who has done plenty of smear tests for patients, would never dream of behaving like that.

Would this have bothered you?

Personally, I wouldn't be overly annoyed. I would have put my knickers back on in full view. However, I've had a lot of smear tests (probably about 20) - lot of medical professionals have seen mine so I have quite low mental sensitivity to it.

BUT, that's coming from my own very specific experience. I think most people would be bothered, and in fact many women would find that an experience that put them off returning. I think it would be reasonable for you to complain on the basis that (a) it was unpleasant for you, and (b) that sort of experience may put another woman off, which increases her risk.

It's important that medical professionals remember that their routine tasks could be someone's unpleasant and triggering experience that prevents them from seeking medical help in the future.

Absolutely 100% you should complain! I’m a carer and you speak to your patient at every single point when physically touching them, especially when doing personal care. ‘I’m just going to pop your pants down now if that’s ok, I’m just about to apply some cream to ‘x’ which may be a little cold’ etc, you need acknowledgement and consent every step of the way. How bloody inconsiderate and rude does someone have to be to perform such an intimate exam like the ops nurse! There’ll be women and young girls going there who may have experienced previous trauma or just be horrendously nervous, imagine how they’ll possibly feel after being treated like that. IMO she’s quite literally putting peoples lives in danger, as if I had her I’d never go for a smear scan again!

I’ve had a few smears but my last one shortly after having had a baby was horrible. The nurse sounded just like the one I had and despite several children and being used to discomfort, I felt awful and like I wanted to cry. So sorry you went through that

I would feed back to the nurse via the practice. Be factual then explain how you felt.
It need not be a complaint. It will be helpful to the nurse, so she can work on her manner, and ensure informed consent, dignity, privacy, and comfort are adhered to.

Sorry you had an unpleasant experience OP, i would feed it back. I had my smear today and the nurse was amazing, gave me privacy to take my pants off/put them on, told me when she was starting each part of the procedure, really nice to talk to etc.

How has she established consent properly in this situation?

Not ok. Complain. It's important.

I bled at my last smear and was actually given a sanitary towel by the nurse to put in my knickers for the journey home, so the fact she made you bleed and wouldn't even give you space to put your knickers back on is terrible.

Who the feck votes yabu in this scenario. Shockingly poor care, this is what puts women off going.

Absolutely YANBU to complain. Like WTF? I have had one smear and was dreading it but honestly the practitioner was so lovely, professional, respectful, checked at all points I was okay, told me at all stages what was going to happen and said explicitly tell me at any point if you want to stop or pause and maintained my dignity (as much as possible) whilst doing the smear and getting undressed/redressed. I am sorry your experience has been like this.

That’s absolutely dreadful. We shouldn’t be treated like inanimate objects.

I'm pretty sure one of the most important things of this procedure is consent and comfort. If she didn't talk to you how was she checking you were ok with this? You should feel comfortable enough to revoke consent at any time and she didn't allow that.

Definitely complaint- and make sure it's taken seriously. Women's healthcare is crap and women like your nurse making it crap is even more crap!

I’m in my late fifties and I’ve had a LOT of smears and most have not been like that. It’s been a get undressed and lie on the bed, cover yourself with the blue paper roll sheet, nurse returns when your ready and then kind words and explanation as to what to expect and how the spectrum (?) will be cold. Then a cheery all done under the dignity of the blue roll and left alone to dress. I’d complain to be honest.

IMO the blue roll and being left to dress and undress alone makes all the difference.