Smear Test Issues

[DRE56322]

Pease, don't say "just do it"- I have tried.

My body seems to seize up. They can not even get the speculum in.
Now, I have had internal exams done before with success. I don't know why this is different.

Anyway, I am way overdue (think years) and I need to get it done. But I think there is a mental block after the experience last time, which was traumatic (and probably was for the poor nurse as well)

Anyway, the doctors surgery has been calling me again, and again I have made an appointment and cancelled it last minute. Would they give me anything to calm me down? There is also a clinic that does smears one evening a week near me- do you think it's worth trying there?

Massive empathy for this issue. I have the same problem.The GP’s are almost dismissive of the stress it causes me. They have tried giving me Diazepam to chill me out but that didn’t work and the last smear I had which was 5 years ago they arranged for the hospital to have a gynae take the sample (in stirrups, which made it worse). Even during labour, internal exams were an issue and I found gas and air worked, but they won’t sanction this for smears. So instead I avoid instead as there doesn’t seem to be a solution, just ‘get on with it’, which does not help at all. I just freeze. When I first had smears a sexual health clinic let me out the speculum in myself which helped, but after the first couple I wasn’t allowed. I’m sure there was a non invasive test floating about at one point but I can’t find a more recent product. It’s not embarrassment, not ignorance, not laziness. It’s inexplicable.

Try to have a chat with the GP first. Explain the feeling and if you find a solution please shout about it as I’m sure there are many of us in the same boat.

The last time I had one, they used a brush type thing, pretty small. It was a lot better than the bigger thing they used to use, and was much easier. I used to clench up too, but this was better. No idea of the proper name.

Have you got vaginimsus perhaps? I cant tolerate penetration of any sort, its excruciatingly painful when I try. I was offered a GA for a smear in the past, or diazepam etc as well. Admit that my GP surgery havent always been very understanding too , but gynae consultants havent been too bad.

I am pretty sure you can request sedation. I would say ask for diazepam to take before hand but it sounds like a physical reaction that you have become anxious about rather than the other way around.

Go and speak to your GP. They will help

Please don't avoid them. My sister used to have a couple of glasses of wine before a smear. I did the same when I'd the LLETZ procedure done.

SmellMyBeads- it's not really avoidance. I want to have it done. I know how important it is. But at this point, it is way more than anxiety and almost into phobia territory!

I'm sure the gp could give you some sort of sedative. My claustrophobic DM was happily prescribed a Valium when she needed a MRI scan so I'm sure they could give you something to help for a smear. Good luck!

I have been given a sedative to get through last time. It definitely helped me. Make an appt with your GP and tell him/her and see what they can suggest. (I've found my current male GP more sympathetic than previous female GPs, but sample of not many!).

Have you thought of a HPV self test? You can get one from Superdrug on line. If you are HPV - you have nothing to worry about and if you are HPV + then you can speak to your GP about coping methods for a colposcopy.

My mum is given diazepam for smears as she gets anxious and finds them painful. Speak to the nurse about it and find a solution.

@PanamaPattie can you send me a link to some info on this? Why are the nhs forking money out on regular smears when there's a simple solution?

onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/hpv-test.html

I hope this works.

kaytee87 good question. Don't forget people would question why millions of pounds are invested in the screening program and thousands of jobs would be at stake if every eligible person self tested.

Thank you, I'll read into it.

The home hpv kits are great, and accurate. The go off to the same place private health care companies send blood tests. Next year, I think the nhs will be only testing for the hpv (in some areas) I can see going to get a smear a thing of the past and women getting handed a kit do do at home and send off themselves

When people say sedative is it just Valium? Is there anything else? Valium hasn't sedated me enough to make a difference last time I had it done.

Wow, this thread is refreshing. The first smear thread I've seen where posters don't pile on to guilt trip the OP and tell her to woman up! I have never had a smear due vaginismus and wish there was an easier way. I might try the HPV test.

Definitely make an appointment to ask about your options. Sedation is an option. I’ve even known them do them under a general anaesthetic if it’s really bad.

Self testing for high risk HPV can be useful to assess risk but doesn't look at the cells to see if they're abnormal (pre-cancerous). If the test is HPV positive, you don't necessarily need a colposcopy, as they would want a smear result to additionally assess whether any changes have taken place.
Primary HPV is being rolled out next year - any positive HPV gets a slide made to read the cells. Where the cells are normal, generally you're called for a repeat test in a year - otherwise colposcopy would be swamped with women who will likely clear the HPV infection.

With self testing obviously there needs to be clear instructions so women sample the correct area and appropriately.
In terms of the jobs at stake - many staff are already leaving ahead of the changes next year, which is why many areas have 10-12 week turnaround on test results.