Do I need a smear test?

[SincereHappier]

I had a smear done about 2.5 years ago. Recently I’ve had significant changes to my periods. Black blood and spoiling lasting days before period begins. I went to the GP, they did a general swab for things like infections and STD’s. They sent me to a gynaecologist who did an internal ultrasound and told me that everything was fine and that changes like these can be normal.

That was a few months ago but it’s in the back of my head that they didn’t do a smear and it’s worrying me. I’ve read that an internal ultrasound wouldn’t pick up on changes to cells. Should I go back to the GP and ask for a smear? I don’t want to clog up appointments when I’ve already had a referral but equally, I don’t want something to be missed.

Smears are not supposed to be diagnostic tests; they're screening tests.

Are you due a smear? As PP said it’s screening not diagnostic but depending how old you are you may be coming up due for one.

You won’t get a smear until you’re due - it’s a screening tool not a diagnostic procedure.

Did the gynae look at your cervix? Also brown or blackish blood is old blood so more likely to be coming from the uterus not the cervix. The ultrasound will have checked the uterus so a normal ultrasound is reassuring.

Smear tests are no longer checking the cells like they used to, all they do is check for now is HPV. You can get the HPV test from Superdrug to do at home anyway.

That’s really reassuring to hear. Thanks all. I think I’m due a smear in 6 months, so not too long to go now. :)

Absolutely. Had abnormal cells detected in my early 30s. Had a colposcopy. No issues since, now in my mid 60s.
Please just go.