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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:
ArabellaScott · 04/01/2023 19:32

niugboo · 04/01/2023 19:27

get the smear done and stop trying to justify it. There aren’t targets. Or commission. It’s literally to save lives.

if your fear prevents you accept that but don’t kid yourself that she’s motivated by anything other than saving lives.

It's up to OP.

There are targets and bonuses.

Pearl664 · 04/01/2023 19:32

No wonder GPs are walking away when patients are accusing them of getting commission for smear tests. Don't have one if you don't want one, but smear tests save lives.

Hellno44 · 04/01/2023 19:33

crazycrypty · 04/01/2023 15:18

I had severe CIN 3 age 27. I'd probably be dead by now if I hadn't had smear tests.

I was 18 or 19. I had CIN3 in 1999. I had My screening as part of a secure health clinic appointment. If I was a teenager now I wouldn't have even made it to my first screening.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health
RichardMarxisinnocent · 04/01/2023 19:35

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 18:35

"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"

You are a bit wrong as well. Although it's possible to get cervical cancer as a virgin, it's rare and smear tests can be difficult for virgins. Last time I looked NHS advice for virgins was that you can have one if you want, but it's not particularly recommended.

I've just double checked and this is still correct. I opted out of smears until I was in my 40s as I wasn't sexually active until then. I'd spoken to my GP who was happy for me to opt out.

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 19:42

HermioneKipper · 04/01/2023 18:09

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.

They use lube on everyone don't they? They don't just push it in!

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 04/01/2023 19:43

LaughingCat · 04/01/2023 19:22

Thank you for pointing that out! - I was going to say that the opposite of optional is ‘mandatory’. Which is mot what I claimed. I said that they were vital, ie: extremely important. For all the reasons I put in my response.

And for the pain point - yes, there are certain physical conditions that might make it painful. Absolutely - the OP hadn’t indicated that she has one of those conditions.

But if you don’t have one of those conditions, then it’s like when getting jabbed or giving blood ‘hurts’. It doesn’t if you relax (I’ve yet to work out how to do that), but it’s usually fear that causes all your muscles to tense, and then, yeah, it is really painful. But if you’re not all keyed up, then no, it’s not. Often expecting it will hurt and going in all tense becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I was trying to help the OP go in expecting it not to hurt, and open to talking about her fears with staff so they can help calm her down. That was literally the only way for this to have any kind of successful ending for her. Horror stories are the absolute opposite of helpful.

It’s like childbirth. If someone came to you saying, “I refuse to have kids because there’s so many ways childbirth can go wrong and it’s obviously excruciating and I’m terrified of the whole idea,” the last thing you’d do is tell them all the horror stories you’ve heard about childbirth. You’d reassure and say that it isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be. And that it is, in the main, worth it (though you may disagree 😂). And to have some bloody good meds 😁.

Show quote history

Forewarned is forearmed. I've never personally had one that hurt, but I wouldn't go without having some paracetamol.

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 19:49

"If the GP thinks this is the next most appropriate test, then that should happen before a scan that might be unnecessary."

Does the GP think that though or is he/she pressing for a smear because it's due anyway and not really related to the UTI?

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 19:53

"the OP hadn’t indicated that she has one of those conditions."

Actually she has as she has said she can't use tampons.
There is also another post at16.12 deleted, which may include relevant information (pps have mentioned that OP may be a virgin), but I can't see it obviously.

ToastCosILoveIt · 04/01/2023 19:56

ttcat37 · 04/01/2023 19:02

I’ve always found my doctor/ nurses pushy about smear tests but they are doing it as cervical cancer has a great prognosis at the early stages. They would rather be pushy than have to treat you for cancer. I don’t think they are being unreasonable.

However, it’s clear that there are serious reasons why you don’t think you can have a smear. I think if you could explain to your GP the reasons why you can’t have one then they could talk through some options with you.

A lovely, calm and measured post, thank you.

Chooksnroses · 04/01/2023 19:56

HowDoWeDoThisPlease · 04/01/2023 17:35

No, she’s angry with the Dr for rationing other care based on whether she will have a purely optional screening test. Anyone can ask to opt out if they wish. I’d always strongly recommend women to have a smear, I’d never deny them other care if they declined.

Show quote history

OK, Thank you, I appreciate the explanation.

ImprobablePuffin · 04/01/2023 20:03

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.

OP clearly stated her reluctance is because 1) She's scared it will hurt and 2) she doesn't want to make a show of herself. (I don't know quite what that means but they're OP's words)

EmmaEmerald · 04/01/2023 20:06

Enfys1982 · 04/01/2023 18:12

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.

The logical next step would be another blood test...or...do nothing. You had slightly elevated WBC because you had an infection.

but tbh so much nonsense like this happened to me, I avoid the doc as much as possible. It's shocking that people who feel fine are getting stuff like this suggested when people who are ill can't get seen.

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 20:06

There's a deleted post so lots of us posting blindly.
I don't think SA or not is that important. OP seems to have vaginismus so a smear test would be painful and some pp suggest she's a virgin anyway so her risk level is extremely low so potentially not worth the pain and anxiety of a smear test, or at least worthy of special arrangements to make it easier.

niugboo · 04/01/2023 20:49

@ArabellaScott take your conspiracy theories elsewhere. There are life saving targets. There aren’t bonuses.

Folks · 04/01/2023 21:10

FairShare13 · 04/01/2023 17:14

Why on earth would you bring a toddler to a medical appointment. Completely your fault you had a bad experience if you couldn't relax because of your toddler. Or did you expect the nurse to watch your toddler whilst also doing your smear test 🥴

Show quote history

If you read my post at all you’d see that, and I quote, I was actually in the surgery for my child’s routine vaccinations

The smear test was an ambush.

Irisheyesareshining · 04/01/2023 21:58

@Enfys1982 I googled and it said that it can also be a sign of kidney stones. Why not refer me for a scan instead?

maybe because she has some understanding of medicine and not used Dr Google 😂

foxandbee · 04/01/2023 22:02

Wow, this thread is something else. For those judging the OP... It is well established that there are risks as well as benefits to cervical screening. Not everyone who is found to have abnormal cells will go on to develop cervical cancer. It not possible to tell who will and who will not develop cervical cancer, so some women will have treatment that is not actually needed, not to mention the stress and pain involved.

Every women needs to look at their individual risk factors and weigh up the pros and cons of screening. One size does not fit all.

foxandbee · 04/01/2023 22:03

niugboo · 04/01/2023 20:49

@ArabellaScott take your conspiracy theories elsewhere. There are life saving targets. There aren’t bonuses.

I suggest you research QOF payments.

PeachyIsThinking · 04/01/2023 22:28

It’s entirely your choice. People posting will have strong feelings- some may have lost someone dear to them- but fundamentally your choice.

However even if you can’t face a smear maybe it’s time to talk to your GP about why and any help they can offer with the underlying cause? I know it’s hard- I start PTSD therapy next week so I really do, it’s taken years- but worth trying to find a way to seek help? I’ve no idea what the root is for you but you could be in a position where it’s not optional one day (or similar care) so you could try and build resources now.

Fundamentally though it’s your choice and they should listen to you.

IndysMamaRex · 04/01/2023 23:00

UTI can be a sign of many diseases. Cervical screening was brought about to save lives. It does every year. 5 mins & it’s done. In the nicest possible way, grow a pair & get it done.

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2023 23:22

IndysMamaRex · 04/01/2023 23:00

UTI can be a sign of many diseases. Cervical screening was brought about to save lives. It does every year. 5 mins & it’s done. In the nicest possible way, grow a pair & get it done.

Eff off Indys. A pair of what is she supposed to grow? Have you actually read her posts?

IndysMamaRex · 04/01/2023 23:37

I have & there is nothing to suggest she can’t but have one done. She has built it up in her head rather than think rationally & respect the doctor who is far more knowledgeable than she or Dr google is & only wants to do what doctors do & that’s help people.

For arguments sake she could possibility, she could have vaginismus but she can’t run away from the issue if it is that. That needs treatment. Whether we like it or not at some point in our lives we have to do things that make us uncomfortable. If her UTI comes back & becomes an upper UTI & hits her kidneys (1st hand experience due to chronic kidney disease) & is hospitalised because her life is at risk is she going to refuse to have a catheter fitted if it’ll save her life? No.

get the smear. It’s quick, talk to GP about concerns it’ll pit you at ease. I guarantee after it’s done you’ll wonder what you Wer so worried about

JustMerkinYourChain · 05/01/2023 00:06

IndysMamaRex · 04/01/2023 23:37

I have & there is nothing to suggest she can’t but have one done. She has built it up in her head rather than think rationally & respect the doctor who is far more knowledgeable than she or Dr google is & only wants to do what doctors do & that’s help people.

For arguments sake she could possibility, she could have vaginismus but she can’t run away from the issue if it is that. That needs treatment. Whether we like it or not at some point in our lives we have to do things that make us uncomfortable. If her UTI comes back & becomes an upper UTI & hits her kidneys (1st hand experience due to chronic kidney disease) & is hospitalised because her life is at risk is she going to refuse to have a catheter fitted if it’ll save her life? No.

get the smear. It’s quick, talk to GP about concerns it’ll pit you at ease. I guarantee after it’s done you’ll wonder what you Wer so worried about

For many women that put them off, yes, they might have it done and wonder what the fuss was about. But an equal amount, myself included, may actually really struggle with them for very valid reasons, and then even when they do have them done, will find it traumatic each time. Minimising this with suggestions of 'grow a pair' (and has a phrase ever been more irrelevant, given what we're talking about and how men might expect to be treated if we regularly expected them to have something inserted into their penis) is showing your lack of knowledge and lack of empathy.

For all the calls to delete this thread, they're actually really informative for women that struggle with procedures like these. Oh - and a large number of the women that do - do so because they expect to encounter attitudes like yours.

On the vaginismus point - it's hard to find a doctor who understands it, if a woman even realises that that could be the condition she suffers from. So it's often a long traumatic and stressful journey.

Bottom line - we are not all the same and empathy is a beautiful thing. And you might want to see a doctor for that pair you've apparently got.

KenAdams · 05/01/2023 01:19

OP I have a medical condition which makes smears very difficult for me so I chose to do my own through Superdrug. If you search my previous threads I started one about smears and the link is there. It's just a swab similar to a covid one, no speculum and you just do it yourself and send it off. Won't help with the cervix checking but will cover the smear part off.

KenAdams · 05/01/2023 01:23

Just to add, the home test I did tests for HPV. If that had come up positive I'd have gone to GP for a smear, but mine was HPV negative (they don't test your sample for anything else if you're HPV neg).

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