to suggest that the NHS

[scrappydappydoo]

come up with an uncomfortable intimate exam for blokes that they have to have every 3 years?
(can you tell I had a smear today?)

They have one, it's called a prostate exam.

Really? how come my dh doesn't go for them? (serious question btw)

How old is he?

mid 30's

Regular prostate exams are not necessary, nor do they detect anything early (there is a blood test for prostate cancer that detects it v v early though, but is not on a screening programme)

ouch, I hate smears. But, small amount of discomfort saves a heck of a lot of heart ache and pain.

Men go bald, I'd have a smear test every day to avoid going bald.

LOL - I'm not so sure headfairy - I'm useless at 'intimate' exams - seriously its like my cervix decides to play hide n seek (sorry tmi)

ouch herbie now that is painful...

Herbietea

My cervix has agoraphobia and hides too!

Is it not about your health and wanting to live long and prosper for your children rather than embarrasssment? We have parts of our anatomy which need to be investigated while we are in our child bearing years, end of story. Men get bothersome symptoms a bit later. It's not a competition.

I never was really bothered as my mother taught us that our health was really important but after 2 children, I'm bothered even less and chatted to my GP about EMU boots during my last smear.

I didn't particularly like the scrappy thing but I'm even less keen on the brush thing they use now. Feels much worse IMO. But that said Fulltime is right.

My health is important hence me going for smear - but I found them very painful and uncomfortable and it annoys me that there isn't a simpler test.
I also know its not a competition just complaining about unfairness (stamps foot)