Has anyone had a smear test under G.A?(TW sexual trauma)

[thebartenderatethethief]

I have vaginismus following an 'unfortunate sex incident' shall we say.

I went for an examination to check the damage from said incident and the doctor said I am due a smear test and it won't be possible given how much I am tensing-he acknowledged it was psychosomatic, I have never been afraid of smear tests and never have missed one.

I mean, they're not pleasant are they? But I've always managed to have them. I didn't realise I was tensing but I must have been.

He didn't really give me a choice-just said the vaginismus is severe and I'll be put under.

Fair enough-but has anyone had one this way? What was it like? What can I expect to happen?

I've also never had a GA. I am surprised, but I don't feel so afraid of it. I've always dreaded having to have one-I guess this is a bit different as it isn't 'going under the knife' and one of my fears was always waking up mid-op, and if I did this time, wouldn't really matter so much.

Can you ask for sedation rather than a GA?

I hate it when women are told what to do with their bodies, especially when it comes to medical procedures like this.

Do you know that as an alternative you could do a home swab test yourself?

The NHS currently now checks for HPV and only processes the sample further in the presence of HPV?

A swab is just a long q top type thing and very simple to do for yourself in comfort. You then post it off and the results are texted to you in a few days. They cost about £40.
If HPV was found then you would need to consider whether you want to go for a full smear or not.

Sorry for typos.

Completely agree @Buzzinwithbez .
Well said.
These tests should be free.

It’s odd that this is the only option? What about Valium or similar before hand . GA is quite a drastic resort

Yes ask for an HPV swab first. No point going through a full smear if you need one.

Could you look into the My Body Back clinic? Their approach might not be helpful if you have severe vagismus but perhaps worth trying first before a GA?

I am genuinly shocked. I wouldnt want to be under GA for a smear test and certainly wouldnt want to be told I am going to have it done. You dont even have to have a smear.
I have never understood why the doctors dont realise that its all about making a person comfortable for a procedure. In gynaecology the most I think.

Wondering if any counselling was offered ?
It sounds very inappropriate to me, on several levels.

I’m pretty shocked that’s been suggested. Any GA is risky, I don’t think is worth it for a routine check. I’d get a HPV test first (swab like a long cotton bud), and if that’s negative then I personally wouldn’t do the smear. Unless you have multiple partners in which case just get a regular HPV test

I wonder how these are ment to work? The usual swab at the dr's is taken from top of the cervix and from the inside of the cervix. Is the home test ment to touch the cervix or is it just a general swab inside a vagina?

If I were in your shoes I think I would want to look into what would help you to relax enough to have the procedure done if you want to have it done, like choosing a doctor/nurse, having enough time and privacy, being in a position that feels better for you (gyno-chair or flat exam table, on your back x on your side). Plus work on pelvic floor in general.

Definitely recommend diazepam and co-codamol - I suffered SA and these two combined make smear bearable x

Thank you all-I didn't think to ask for sedation instead (never had that either) are these the tests you mean? @Buzzinwithbez onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/hpv-test.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA85efBhBbEiwAD7oLQPUuT94qXYn4hUEiGB3rBfdeuFh6ngoaRMlnJVTXEFOg_pUUUvIcnhoCv2gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds which one would I need?

I have thought about ordering one of those in the past, for my partner. She's only ever had one smear about 20 years ago, they found pre-cancerous cells and she was put under to remove them as she refused to have it done otherwise! But that is a totally different situation.

Yes I did think about the risks with GA and it does seem drastic. But if I couldn't have one otherwise..
I also (he didn't say this but) think perhaps they think the aforementioned incident may have damaged my cervix and/or made me more susceptible to HPV? Is that possible? I have never had abnormalities before-all my smears have been fine

Not heard of 'My Body Back'-shall look that up.

@Villagetoraiseachild he has referred me for psychosexual therapy. I had it at the time and it wasn't helpful at all :( but I am willing to try again.

It's just a general swab. Very simple to self administer and there have been pilots of this within the NHS in some areas of the country.

If HPV was found then there are more decisions to make about whether to have a full smear to check for cell changes.

Another option may be to insert the speculum yourself and there are blog posts by women who have done this.

Thanks @Buzzinwithbez I'll have a think about that-wonder if I could practice with a similar item.

Is that link I put up one of the tests you mean? I can't find one for under £50 on any different sites-but I am not sure which I'd order from that one.

It isn't as simple as a woman being told what to do with her body - a doctor has a huge amount more knowledge than a lay person, plus you are recommending discounting his advice based upon one post on the internet! This is his patient, he has assessed her, had a consultation and examination and has based his recommendations on an informed, educated opinion. Perhaps he knows a self test would be about as successful as a normal smear?!? Perhaps he knows that even under sedation the reaction may be so strong and ingrained that it would have little effect?!
I'm all for questioning things, but giving blanket advice to ignore a healthcare professional based upon little knowledge and a preconceived dislike of 'women being told what to do with their bodies' is quite frankly irresponsible.

I've had one under GA. It was due to an injury which had meant 4 failed attempts at a smear while awake, including 2 where I'd been sedated. But they used the GA as an opportunity to snip away some scar tissue too which had been a big part of the problem.

I wonder if the doctor is suggesting GA so they can also have a good look to make sure there is nothing else physical going on.

I don't regret having it done under GA by the way and have been able to have subsequent smears with just some sedation.

Thank you for posting. I wonder that too-in fact I hope they do and was considering contacting them to ask that they did. The examination he did was partially to check for physical damage. I have far less sensation in my clitoris since the incident and have bladder problems (not incontinence, quite the opposite-my body doesn't 'tell' me when I need a wee, I only realise when I am in quite a bit of pain having held it in without realising). A previous (female)gyno had concluded that I do have physical damage (blunt force trauma injury to vagina and moderate/severe pelvic floor damage) and said I should never have been sent for Psychosexual therapy. This doctor disagreed, said I've no visible damage and referred me back to psychosexual therapy.

Ask a woman GP to do it, or a trained and experienced nurse.

Definitely look up my body back for the future - my consultant works for them - I had severe vaginismus/phobia of being examined following abuse and assault (I was given a spinal anaesthetic and sedation to get a coil) and she’s been able to help me enormously - their approach is incredible .

An examination under anesthetiser though in the short term might be a huge benefit for all, it lets the doctors do a thorough exam with no discomfort for you, and would be a v short and light anaesthetic too.

@thebartenderatethethief I used the Superdrug service you linked to. I'm sorry it's gone up since I used it in 2020.

Not heard of 'My Body Back'-shall look that up.

They are fantastic clinics, their approach is trauma informed and they’ll support you to find a way to do the smear, even if it takes more than one appointment. Definitely worth looking at as a second opinion - I don’t think I could consent to having an intimate test done under GA.

@Buzzinwithbez medicinesonline.org.uk/lpo-hpv-test-kit/?gclid=CjwKCAiA85efBhBbEiwAD7oLQDK1oD8Tetor7hn18OFChvUoqbge-dAgFYIXas4XxHuGWpfRi0xD4RoCT9gQAvD_BwE this one is cheaper. Not sure if they're all much of a muchness.

What would put you off@Jellycatspyjamas , anything in particular?

@RunAwayNow I wonder if I may have scar tissue too. I might contact them and clarify if they're going to examine me while I am under, or just literally do the test.

@OrlandointheWilderness thanks for your input-you make some very good points. He did seem very certain once he'd examined me so you may be right there. I might order one of these tests and see if I can use it, for future if not for this time-as I've said I had been in two minds whether to order one and do it for my partner (she won't do it herself).

It’s not common to do smears under GA but it’s certainly not unheard of and if a customer’s generally fit and healthy then the risks are pretty low. Sedation can sometimes make things more complicated where there’s a history of assault/trauma. An alternative to GA may be a type of spinal injection. None of the above are ideal long term mechanisms for dealing with smears, but if it helps either break a cycle/get though an acute event the benefits may outweigh the risks.