Booking a smear test and periods..

[Onlyrainbows]

So I had my smear test today (I had to book it about 7-8 weeks ago). It turns out I'm having my period and it fluctuates enough that I wouldn't have any certainty of being clear for the possible dates they offer. (At the time of booking it should have been ok today, but they do fluctuate a few days here and there). What's the way around it?

This often happens and can't be helped. Not sure if you've already had it or due to have it later? If the latter phone whoever is doing the smear test and let them know.

I've already had it done (much against the nurse's will). I had to wait to get the next appointment with no warranty of being "clear". At least this way they got some sort of sample which might be usable.

Given they are testing primarily for HPV these days and only then checking cells if it's positive, I'm not sure it's such a problem anymore, in terms of getting an accurate result (will happily stand corrected on this). I had some spotting when I had my last one and they were still able to get a 'positive, no cell changes', result.