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Original poster

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

420 replies

Enfys1982 · 04/01/2023 14:51

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?

OP posts:
Ivyy · 04/01/2023 18:42

Christ what the hell is going on with this thread, so many nasty comments not just to op but to other posters, totally uncalled for. I wouldn't blame op for not coming back.

Try and ignore the nasty responses op and just focus on the ones with helpful advice Flowers

Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 04/01/2023 18:45

Motelschmotel · 04/01/2023 14:57

Cervical cancer is a silent killer. You don't have to be sexually active to have it.

I can imagine scenarios where the procedure gives rise to the feelings you describe. Talk to your GP about it; you should receive an understanding and accommodating response. You shouldn't go your whole life without a smear test. You should try to deal with the underlying issue.

Good luck OP.

This.
Good information here too www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 04/01/2023 18:46

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OldFan · 04/01/2023 18:47

So severe trauma is a free pass for blaming people who are trying to advise you about a test that could save your life? Bit rude, but okay. OP hasn’t disclosed sexual abuse by the way but as you were

I'dve thought that's kind of the clear implication of the OP saying she doesn't want to go into the reasons/talk about it. That's what people usually mean by that I think, unfortunately.

LaughingCat · 04/01/2023 18:47

Things about cervical smears:

  1. They don’t hurt. They just don’t. They are uncomfortable. That’s worse for me because I am absolutely fine with pain, it makes me laugh of all things, but discomfort sends me screaming. But even I am not fussed by cervical smears.
  2. They are VITAL. Regular checkups help to catch cancer early. Cancer that can kill you, make you sterile or otherwise have a huge impact on your life.
  3. You didn’t have the HPV vaccine, if you were born in 1982 (I’m an ‘83 baby), so we’re not even slightly protected from some of the high risk cancers. So it’s even more important that we get the smears every three years.
  4. The nurses who have done mine have always been wonderful. Explain you’re terrified and they’ll give you a nurse to carry out the smear, and another to sit with you and talk to you/distract you while they do their bit. This is from personal experience (I also have a copper coil so they’re rummaging around up there every year, it feels like!)

It sounds as though you have some major issues with the idea of anything being in the passageway. Talk to your GP and explain that it’s not that you don’t want to have the smear or that you don’t understand the risks but that you need to access counselling to help overcome that.

See if your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Programme which provides six-ten sessions of free, independent and completely confidential counselling if that fits better with you.

Because put it this way…if you get any of the anal/colon/cervical cancers due to contracting HPV, they’re going to shove a lot more than a tiny-ass speculum up there during treatment and they won’t bother to waste anaesthesia on you for that either.

Goosefatroasts · 04/01/2023 18:47

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Goosefatroasts · 04/01/2023 18:48

@OldFan

She has since specified the reason and it was no SA related.

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 04/01/2023 18:49

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OldFan · 04/01/2023 18:50

@Goosefatroasts Ah ok. Yes I imagine someone could be squeamish about it if they were still a virgin.

@Enfys1982

Goosefatroasts · 04/01/2023 18:50

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OldFan · 04/01/2023 18:51

Sorry I randomly accidentally tagged Enfy.

Goosefatroasts · 04/01/2023 18:51

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Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 18:51

"They don’t hurt. They just don’t. They are uncomfortable."

You can't speak for other people. If someone is a virgin or has vaginismus they may well hurt quite a lot and for some people they may not be uncomfortable.

"The nurses who have done mine have always been wonderful."

That's nice, but not all nurses are wonderful. Mine at my last one wasn't very nice so I'd advise anyone who's nervous to ask someone they already know to do it eg a female GP they're comfortable with.

BurtonsRevenge · 04/01/2023 18:52

Go and get a smear test for goodness sake !

DCDLuna · 04/01/2023 18:53

I wish people wouldn't categorically say that they're not painful. Some people find them painful, that's a fact,

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 04/01/2023 18:53

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Sometimes it's called for. Like when someone chooses to come on a thread about a sensitive issue and acts like a bully in a china shop, they really do ask to be told to fuck off.

GinIronic · 04/01/2023 18:53

LaughingCat · 04/01/2023 18:47

Things about cervical smears:

  1. They don’t hurt. They just don’t. They are uncomfortable. That’s worse for me because I am absolutely fine with pain, it makes me laugh of all things, but discomfort sends me screaming. But even I am not fussed by cervical smears.
  2. They are VITAL. Regular checkups help to catch cancer early. Cancer that can kill you, make you sterile or otherwise have a huge impact on your life.
  3. You didn’t have the HPV vaccine, if you were born in 1982 (I’m an ‘83 baby), so we’re not even slightly protected from some of the high risk cancers. So it’s even more important that we get the smears every three years.
  4. The nurses who have done mine have always been wonderful. Explain you’re terrified and they’ll give you a nurse to carry out the smear, and another to sit with you and talk to you/distract you while they do their bit. This is from personal experience (I also have a copper coil so they’re rummaging around up there every year, it feels like!)

It sounds as though you have some major issues with the idea of anything being in the passageway. Talk to your GP and explain that it’s not that you don’t want to have the smear or that you don’t understand the risks but that you need to access counselling to help overcome that.

See if your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Programme which provides six-ten sessions of free, independent and completely confidential counselling if that fits better with you.

Because put it this way…if you get any of the anal/colon/cervical cancers due to contracting HPV, they’re going to shove a lot more than a tiny-ass speculum up there during treatment and they won’t bother to waste anaesthesia on you for that either.

Cervical smears DO hurt some women. They are not vital - they are optional.

Jellycats4life · 04/01/2023 18:54

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 18:51

"They don’t hurt. They just don’t. They are uncomfortable."

You can't speak for other people. If someone is a virgin or has vaginismus they may well hurt quite a lot and for some people they may not be uncomfortable.

"The nurses who have done mine have always been wonderful."

That's nice, but not all nurses are wonderful. Mine at my last one wasn't very nice so I'd advise anyone who's nervous to ask someone they already know to do it eg a female GP they're comfortable with.

Thank for you pointing that out. For reasons I don’t need to go into, smear tests for me are excruciating. Absolutely awful. Considering they only test for HPV nowadays, I am very much inclined to never have a smear again.

GyozaGuiting · 04/01/2023 18:54

My friend is a Dr, no they don’t get compassion.
Another friend died of cancer, so she’s really passionate about women getting their smears.

Goosefatroasts · 04/01/2023 18:54

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Staryflight445 · 04/01/2023 18:55

FrostyFifi · 04/01/2023 16:45

OP a few years ago I had a series of UTIs. Never had a positive culture but they miss >50% of infections as they were designed to pick up infections in patients with catheters so the colony count threshold is very high.
I had about every blood test under the sun and was sent to urology for further investigation.
But one thing they never suggested was looking at my cervix.

You can also buy home test kits for HPV where you administer your own vaginal swab. That's all the smear test does now - they don't examine the cells further if that test result is negative.

They can see if there is anything to be concerned about when they open you up and examine the cervix before swabbing though.

from a physical exam alone I was sent for a colposcopy.

Goosefatroasts · 04/01/2023 18:55

@GyozaGuiting

Passionate? She needs to be careful she will be getting accused of coercive behaviour soon enough. 🤦‍♀️

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 04/01/2023 18:56

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Winewednesday · 04/01/2023 18:56

Speak to the nurse, they will help keep you calm during the smear test. I was scared too but I had my first at 25. My second at 29 tested positive for HPV and 3 weeks later I was diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately it was caught at a very early stage, although I still had to have a hysterectomy. I can't stress enough how important it is to have the test done.

Goosefatroasts · 04/01/2023 18:57

@LadyOfTheFliessssss

In your opinion. I mean personally I think you need some massive perspective here but each to their own. OP did not disclose SA.

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