Anyone had a smear recently?

[PullingMySocksUp]

Just wondering if they’ve changed the method they used. I had one last week and the nurse was really rushed. It was a 9.30 spot and I was booked in to have blood test and smear. The blood test she tried half heartedly and then said she didn’t have time to try the other arm so got no blood.
Smear, she didn’t remember to visually check something I’d said had changed when she asked. Then the actual smear she was in and out in a couple of seconds. Previous smears they’ve had a little scrub about with a brush. Does that still happen? I am wondering whether she collected enough cells.

Basically I’m wondering whether to complain now or to wait until the results come back.

TLDR: actual smear took two seconds, shouldn’t they scrub about a bit with the brushy thing?

I had one and was pleasantly surprised when I was told that if everything comes back fine I don't need another one for 5 years as it's a new test.

I'm in Aus though, and can only imagine it's the under staffed and under funded NHS as the cervical screening (as it's now called) took the usual time but I'd say all up was under 2 minutes from taking my jeans off to putting them back on.

It can be very quick. Unfortunately I'm one of the unlucky ones who finds them incredibly uncomfortable, so it usually takes a while for me.

If she didn't do it right, it will come back inconclusive.

Good luck.

The method has changed somewhat on that they now check for HPV and if you’re negative they don’t look at your cells. I’ve only had one smear though post change so not sure how it compared to the old method. I was in and out in minutes but she did take a sample with a brush.

That doesn’t sound good.

I had a smear a few weeks ago. It seemed to go on forever (it hurts when owt goes up me fanny these days). It definitely took a couple of minutes at least. I asked her if she could see my Mirena strings, she said yes, then she did the scrapy thing to take the sample.

That’s appalling that the nurse “didn’t have time” to try your other arm for a blood test! Definitely complain about that.

I’m annoyed on your behalf!

I had a smear last week and yes they did seem to scrap around in there for a while, though overall it only took a few minutes.

Had one three weeks ago. Nurse told me she would have a good scrape around to make sure I didn't need a retest. Only took a few seconds though.

It could be the nurse found your cervix easy to see. The brush has to be rotated 360' which can take seconds sometimes.
Maybe wait until you've got your results back before considering a complaint? If it comes back inadequate, which can mean not enough samples to assess, then it could be an idea to investigate her technique.