Can you have a smear with very light bleeding.

[User4738737383647474]

It seems the advice is to not get a smear whilst on period BUT

I have the Mirena which I've just had replaced after 5 years of old one. Generally I don't get periods at all but sometimes I have very sporadic, light periods mainly old blood (sorry tmi) mainly when wiping and not enough to really use a pad. There is no regularity but I do get pms symptoms during this time. But it's never a proper period.

I have just rang up to book but she got grumpy as I couldn't tell her if I could be on my period then or not. I told her I'd have to ring up and cancel if it happens as not til November. Never had regular periods even before Mirena, let alone now!

any advice?

It's more like a discharge I get rather than proper period!

Probably not as i think any blood could affect the results then you would have to go through it all again. Disclaimer is that i am merely guessing but one smear i had the nurse scraped a bit hard and i bled and it came back as unreadable and i had to redo it. Best option is delay until you are clear.

I’m sure I’ve been told that you can.

I doubt it - I once went in for a smear but had had some spotting at the tail end of my Depo injection, and she said she couldn't get a clear sample. You might as well wait for it to stop than risk wasting your time.

Generally speaking yes you can.

As long as I can see the cervix and take a sample that isn’t purely blood I’d take the smear and send it off, but warn the woman it might need repeating.

I mentioned to the nurse the last time I had a smear that I had delayed due to my period and she said it wasn't important and I could still go just for my future reference

Problem is I'll never know what it will happen. Hopefully I'll be lucky and I won't be! Nothings ever been regular here and hate cancelling last minute! Especially as there's a wait for the appointments.

They'll take the sample but there's a higher chance of it not being unable and you being called back for another. Personally I'd rather cancel then risk having to have two.