GP is trying pressure me into smear test. Is this acceptable?

[Enfys1982]

A fortnight ago I had a UTI which was treated with a short course of antibiotics. It cleared up but then came back again so I was prescribed more AB’s and did a sample, they couldn’t grow a culture from the sample but I did have raised white blood cells. When the GP rang me to discuss it she initially asked if I could repeat the test and we’d take it from there she noticed on my notes that I was a due a smear and said she wanted to check my cervix as well. For reasons I don’t want to go into I don’t want a smear test, but she went on and on me and basically pushed me into making an appointment with a nurse rather than rechecking my wee sample. I didn’t feel I could say no or explain my reasons why, she didn’t ask me why I felt the way I did either.

Honestly I feel much better now. The unpleasant symptoms have gone so I cancelled the appointment and she’s now phoned me up and asked why I cancelled. I said I felt better and I was busy when my appointment was booked for (both true) but she continued to push and implied that she wouldn’t run any further tests until I’d had my cervix examined. Just thinking about it is making me have a tight chest and panicky I really don’t think I could face it unless I was knocked out. I don’t have any gynae symptoms, my periods are normal etc. I had a fucking UTI! Why is she pushing me to have an invasive test I don’t want or need abs which isn’t relevant to what was wrong with me? She’d already asked if I was currently sexually active and I said no.

The more I think about it the more feel angry. I’ve had similar before from other staff at the practice when I’ve gone in for other things not relevant. Do they get commission for every smear they do or something?

The answer is not to accept this is normal and think people should only be sent for scans when it’s too late. No one should be waiting months, this needs addressing, and not by not investigating things properly. Every week there is an article in the news about someone with something terminal that was dismissed at the early stages.

@Bpdqueen

It may be that cancer needs to be ruled out in order for other investigations to happen. I think GPs have got better things to do than blackmail people for fun to be honest.

Have you ever suffered csa. There are very valid reasons for some women to refuse smears and they shouldn't be blackmailed into it. Its her choice to make and nobody elses

You can ask for valium to be prescribed. I hate smears and find them horrific but I can do it with valium. You need someone to drive you home though as it can make you woozy.

This.

I would speak to the receptionist and explain things and see what they suggest as the best way to arrange it. They might want the GP to call you beforehand.

If they won't offer valium (some doctors are very tight about prescribing it), you could ask for beta blockers instead.

There are NOT targets on the number of smear tests!!!

Smear tests are uncomfortable, embarrassing, and can be downright ikky. However, they can also save lives. Nuff said.

@Enfys1982 Up thread you have intimated that you have never been sexually active.

In this case you do not need a smear test to check for cervical cancer as it is pretty much impossible for you to have it. 99.9999% of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the HPV virus, which is a sexually transmitted virus.

In fact, if your doctor knew you had never been sexually active, they would not be encouraging you to have a cervical smear, as they would know it would be entirely unnecessary and distressing for you. I would suggest you tell the doctor the truth and this will get them off your back. There's no shame in it!

There is a huge amount of misinformation and bullying on this thread.

Cervical smears are not diagnostic tests for cervical cancer. They are now just a HPV test and any woman not testing positive for HPV will not even have their smear looked at.

Many local authorities are now just sending out home HPV tests to women, which are like big earbuds, to be sent back to be tested. Only those who test positive will be called back for smears.

Yes smear tests are unpleasant but tell the nurse you’re anxious and want lube and they will be gentle.

Sounds like you really ought to have one.

Ask for a phone appointment (explain that you want to discuss the recent consultation so they get an idea of urgency), explain to the gp why you've declined so far (you don't have to go into any great detail just say previous abuse would be enough) and that you'd like to try to have one as understand the importance,you've heard that some people have been given diazepam or something similar to make it more tolerable, would they consider doing the same?

Whilst on the phone to gp, ask them to book you a "double appointment" for the smear test itself so the nurse has longer to explain things etc

Feel free to bring a friend to the session people often did when I used to do them.

Honestly they're less unpleasant than you work them up to be in your mind I've found

All the best x

I do remember that she said my white blood cells were only ‘slightly elevated’ whatever that means. But she’s also put me in a bit of a panic that I’m seriously Ill when I now feel loads better.

I would also add that it sounds like the OP has vaginismus.

This isn't something that can be solved with deep breathing, a kind nurse and a bit of lube.

Vaginismus causes agonising pain and it needs therapy to be treated. Many women with vaginismus will tense their muscles so tightly during any type of penetration that a smear test would be impossible to complete.

I know a few people that have had their life saved because of smear tests they are just trying to rule things out and given how busy they are at the moment well let's just leave it at that but all the woman I knew that had it were young.

Doesnt sound like this is just a routine smear test. She wants you to have one because there are concerns. I think there are targets for the routine tests.

My GP recently was trying to insist I had blood tests when there was no good reason she could provide, she also pushed a particular brand of medication without answering my questions about why she had chosen this. I went to see a private GP to discuss the issues and make an informed choice about the medication. I was told NHS have very little choice about how to help you as they were obliged to follow prescribing and treatment protocols. The private GP went through all possible medications with me and suggested a different one might suit me better, she also said there was no need for blood tests. She also said that 3 months of increased exercise and sensible eating would possibly resolve the matter. If you can afford it perhaps a private GP might be a good idea, mine cost £120 for a half hour appointment.

This is wrong. You can definitely get cervical cancer if you are a virgin and you should still go for a smear as it detects abnormal cells which can lead to cancer. Where are you getting your information from it's wrong

In this case you do not need a smear test to check for cervical cancer as it is pretty much impossible for you to have it

This is incorrect. You're at lower risk but not no risk.

Op I'd suggest explaining how serious your psychological symptoms are to the GP and asking if there's another way around it - a home HPV swab for starters.

She will not be getting commission ffs that's a ridiculous suggestion and to be quite frank you're lucky to have a GP Who cares at the moment.

You’ve been asked if you’re a virgin - this is a really good question.

The reason being, cervical smears now are basically just HPV tests and, if they are negative, that is the end of the process and the test is discarded without the cells ever being viewed. If you are a virgin/have never been sexually active (including oral sex) the risk of having HPV is very low.

However, as a pp’s have said, coerced consent is not valid so no healthcare professional should be threatening you with withholding medical care unless you agree to a test that you’re entitled not to have done - and they should never be done as a diagnostic test, if they believe you have something that needs treatment they should be referring you for diagnostic tests.

@thirdtimeluckyorwhat

@catfunk

This is what I mean about misinformation.

It is true. Any doctor will tell you.

Cervical cancer is caused by HPV. Any exception to this - i.e. a cancer caused by a genetic mutation or something - is so rare it's statistically irrelevant.

Why do you think they're now saying they won't need to offer routine smear tests within the next few years? Because everyone under the age of 30-odd has had the HPV vaccine.

You're making this into a drama, OP. OMG. You don't want a smear, don't get one. Accept the consequences (usually zero) & move on.

@EnidSpyton you should ask for your dangerous and misleading bullshit to be deleted.

@Enfys1982

Youve put yourself in a panic. For the love of god stop blaming your GP for your own anxiety.

@PAFMO

What dangerous and misleading bullshit?

Where is your evidence to show that what I'm saying is untrue?

I hate having them but they are important.

I would recommend biting the bullet and having it.