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Original poster

Just a reminder to book your smears.

61 replies

gemloving · 03/02/2022 08:54

It's unpleasant but very important so if you have avoided booking or just forgot: call your GP and book your appointment Biscuit

OP posts:
Vasectomyreversalhopeful · 03/02/2022 11:09

Poshme I was negative at my last test so going forward will be doing the home tests that are now being trialled by the NHS. I will have to pay for now but believe they will become the norm in the next 5 years. It is is a vaginal swab (no need to go near cervix) done by you in the privacy of your own home. If I ever test positive I will do whatever is advised but as long as I am negative I am doing it at home.

Magicmagician · 03/02/2022 11:15

Thanks for this - have just booked mine too, I had my reminder letter but had totally forgotten!

poshme · 03/02/2022 11:26

@Vasectomyreversalhopeful that's interesting.

My partner and I have only ever been sexually active with each other, so unless he starts cheating, I'm confident I don't have HPV. And smears for me are painful and distressing. (Not least because when I was a virgin the nurse said crossly 'don't be stupid this doesn't hurt.' Vaginismus wasn't something she was aware of)

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General health
Vasectomyreversalhopeful · 03/02/2022 11:40

It is ridiculous that you were asked to do one as a virgin poshme! There is hope that the HPV test will one day be a urine test which would be amazing. Non invasive and easily done at home.

KitBumbleB · 03/02/2022 11:43

I'm so fed up of the narrative that women don't get smear tests because they are "embarrassed"
Its so much more complicated than that, but as with most things women's health related, no one wants to discuss the complex issues.

I don't go smears due to trauma and the fact that I simply don't want one, I dont consent to it and don't want to be coerced into having an instrument inserted into my vagina without my consent just so I can have a pat on the head for being a good poppet.

Many people struggle to have, or even book and attend smears. Single mums with no childcare, mums of kids with additional needs, women with additional needs themselves, women working 2+ jobs, women with no access to transport, women with no access to money to pay for transport, women in abusive relationships, women who are not allowed to leave the house without a male relative or not allowed a man to provide intimate healthcare, women who are suffering from trauma, women who simply cant get the time off work and the hours are accessible.....so many more reasons than being embarrassed

As I said, I don't go for smears due to trauma, all and sundry have seen my clam packet, I dont care about that, I just can't cope with them

EatingGreens · 03/02/2022 11:47

A few years back my surgery said I had to book 6 to 8 weeks ahead. But with irregular periods that was not compatible with their rules on when to have the test firing the menstrual cycle.🤷

Imissmoominmama · 03/02/2022 11:52

Just booked mine for Valentine’s Day Grin.

Thanks for the reminder! Flowers

Alwaystired99 · 03/02/2022 11:56

@Livelifeinthebuslane

I was put off mine by the prospect of having to wear a mask (sexual assault survivor). There must be lots of us in this situation, but I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere by the NHS.
I had worries about the mask for the same reason and I didn't mention it to the nurse but then started crying and when I explained why she was so so lovely and told me to take the mask off. If I have to wear a mask at my next one I'll try to explain beforehand. I thought I'd be ok with it but the procedure and the mask at the same time was too much for me. I think most nurses in that situation would understand.
bluetongue · 03/02/2022 12:17

@KitBumbleB

I'm so fed up of the narrative that women don't get smear tests because they are "embarrassed" Its so much more complicated than that, but as with most things women's health related, no one wants to discuss the complex issues.

I don't go smears due to trauma and the fact that I simply don't want one, I dont consent to it and don't want to be coerced into having an instrument inserted into my vagina without my consent just so I can have a pat on the head for being a good poppet.

Many people struggle to have, or even book and attend smears. Single mums with no childcare, mums of kids with additional needs, women with additional needs themselves, women working 2+ jobs, women with no access to transport, women with no access to money to pay for transport, women in abusive relationships, women who are not allowed to leave the house without a male relative or not allowed a man to provide intimate healthcare, women who are suffering from trauma, women who simply cant get the time off work and the hours are accessible.....so many more reasons than being embarrassed

As I said, I don't go for smears due to trauma, all and sundry have seen my clam packet, I dont care about that, I just can't cope with them

Mumsnet tend to be pretty militant about smears. While taking control of your health and having screening available for those who want it is good it should be an informed choice. Some of the lectures I’ve got about smears, especially from old, male GPs have bordered on unprofessional. I felt like saying ‘no means no’ to one of them. I’m still undecided as to whether I’ll get breast screening or not.

The worst thing about getting pressured to get a smear when to go to the GP for something completely unrelated is that it puts you off getting other health issues dealt with.

ISmellBurnings · 03/02/2022 12:18

Had mine last week. The nurse was lovely, didn’t feel a thing. She was brilliant.

doglikescheeseontoast · 03/02/2022 12:23

The rhetoric - 'yes, ladies, let's all go for our smears - after all, they are nothing to be embarrassed about, they certainly don't hurt, so let's all stop being silly about it and get on with it'.

I was quoting no one in particular there, just reiterating what we are encouraged to believe.

Orrrrrr, could we stop and think for a moment - for some women they certainly DO cause pain - that pain can emotional, physical or psychological. The helpfulness of smears is questionable since in many areas the samples are tested only for HPV and if they are negative the sample will not be tested further.

The test for HPV can be done in various other ways, so 'encouraging' women to go for this 'life-saving' test is in many ways so wrong

FuggyPidding · 03/02/2022 12:28

Great post, thank you.
I was thinking of doing something similar actually (some sort of promotion for cervical screening) - I had one last week and it reiterated the importance of it.

FuggyPidding · 03/02/2022 12:30

Oh, and my nurse was super lovely - and reminded me that we should be checking our greats regularly too.

EatingGreens · 03/02/2022 12:31

So are there any tests possible beyond the HPV virus?
I always am curious about countries where women have regular visits to "their" gynaecologist. What tests are they getting?

WorryMcGee · 03/02/2022 12:33

I won’t go until I don’t have to wear a mask while it’s happening Sad

dontgobaconmyheart · 03/02/2022 12:33

And to add support to those who desperately want to have theor smear but feel or are unable, because of a physical issue with severe pain, or because of past trauma, or indeed both.

I had my last smear under anaesthetic on the NHS. We had tried a number of times without and it was not possible to complete it, or even really start it tbh, due to pain and some pelvic floor issues I have (prolapse, vaginismus). It is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of. I appreciate for some the thought of having one under GA is also problematic, and carries associated risks but just wanted to put out that that this is possible. It was offered to me.

Do speak with the nurse or your GP if you've been putting it off. Equally those who suffer in silence with pelvic floor issues- there is help, ask to see the local specialist womens physiotherapist (most hospitals will have them) or ask your GP for referral to a pelvic floor clinic.

Sunsetsupernova · 03/02/2022 12:34

@poshme how do you get a home test? I’d happily pay for it due to how traumatic and awful the nurse was last time. I didn’t realise that was an option

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 03/02/2022 12:38

I've had so many letters in the past few months, getting quite irate that I haven had my smear. I've been pregnant for the past 8.5 months and they don't seem to actually note this and leave it until after the baby is born. Seems such a waste of time and money constantly sending me letters after I've already notified them several times.

I agree though that it very important to get a smear of you can. Women's healthcare is lacking enough and this is one of the more easily accessible services where we're not just fobbed off.

acatcalledjohn · 03/02/2022 12:38

Nothing wrong with every 5 years. That's what they do in, for instance, The Netherlands, only starting at the age of 30. And if you test HPV negative from the age of 50 you don't get another test for 10 years. Their numbers are much like the UK's numbers. The horror stories come predominantly from those women fobbed off by GP's when presenting with unexplained bleeding. That is the issue that needs fixing.

That reminds me. I haven't been for 5-6 years and I am HPV negative. I don't see the point in testing for something I know I don't have.

paperfarm · 03/02/2022 12:40

12 weeks post delivery

paperfarm · 03/02/2022 12:41

Sorry that was a response to how long after delivery you can have your smear. Tech fail!

Original poster
gemloving · 03/02/2022 12:41

@KitBumbleB @doglikescheeseontoast @bluetongue

It was just a friendly reminder to those who are willing and able because life happens and a lot of women just forget/ don't book in for the obvious reasons. It wasn't meant to trigger anything for anyone. There are circumstances where there is other issues that prevent women from going and I acknowledge that but these have to be dealt with on an individual basis. For the wider group and forum, it's good to get a reminder and get booked in, I personally find.

If there is any chance for me to have cancer detected early, I take that chance even if it's just for HPV because my worst fear is my children not having a mother. They are tiny still, 8 months ans 3. That truly is my worst fear.

OP posts:
mrsrobin · 03/02/2022 12:43

thanks for the reminder :)
I am up to date and happy that I am now in the every 5 years list, rather than every 3. (age)

BooksAndHooks · 03/02/2022 12:47

[quote Sunsetsupernova]@poshme how do you get a home test? I’d happily pay for it due to how traumatic and awful the nurse was last time. I didn’t realise that was an option[/quote]
Superdrug sell them as well as other online pharmacies, I think Amazon do as well around £50.

WhathaveIdoneagain · 03/02/2022 12:50

I wish that I could. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get an appointment, as it is not priority at my surgery. They always tell me to try to book again in a couple of months.