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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel humiliated by this GP?

71 replies

zebradebra · 20/10/2011 09:07

Went to one of the GP's in our practice yesterday as i have had a few between periods bleeds. I have had abnormal smear's in the past. AIBU in thinking what happened next is wrong?

He said "well you need to be tested for gonorrhoea and chlamydia oh and while your there ask the nurse to do a smear test.

He then gave me a print out to hand to the receptionist with test for gonorrhoea and chlamydia clearly visable.

Sorry, but i just feel a little humiliated by that.

is it routine to test for STI'S when you have abnormal bleeding?

OP posts:
Sidge · 20/10/2011 09:41

There is no judgement.

It is standard protocol to test for STIs when dealing with postcoital and/or intermenstrual bleeding.

I can't see anything in your OP that suggests you weren't treated with dignity.

coraltoes · 20/10/2011 09:44

In this case why wouldn't you have asked the gp if it was routine?! And whether it was prioritised over the smear or not. I don't really get the amount of people who see a doctor then ask non medical people for their opinion. We can share anecdotes but not hard facts...unless you're lucky o find a doctor on here...and ssume they really are a doctor.
I'm not having a pop, honestly, just if you see a doc and don't understand something it is important to ask WHY. For peace of mind at the very least!

Good luck with the tests.

Sidge · 20/10/2011 09:44

Just read your latest post.

How was he prioritising? He said get the swabs done and have the smear taken at the same time.

See someone else next time if there's a GP who's a bit more cuddly and fluffy rather than matter of fact and straight to the point. Horses for courses and all that.

ScaredBear · 20/10/2011 09:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

punkinpie · 20/10/2011 09:45

I think if you're not a heavy user of the NHS, you won't be aware of changes in the system. It used to be the case that STIs were only tested for if there was a reason. Like the OP, I had no idea they are now routinely tested for.

I'm not sure how patients can keep up to date with these changes in protocol and procedures. I would have felt the same as the OP, because I rarely use the health service and don't read about health policy changes except when they are majorly in the news.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 20/10/2011 09:46

I wasn't tested for STIs when I went to the GP recently - should I have been? Perhaps other factors are taken into account - age, pattern of periods, etc? Confused

catsareevil · 20/10/2011 09:49

It sounds from your OP like he asked for all the tests to be done at the same time.

How can you be sure that you dont have any STI's?

punkinpie · 20/10/2011 09:50

Is there no issue with the cost of these tests? Are they really meant to test everyone? Would they test a nun, for example, for STIs? (She could always be a naughty nun Wink).

catsareevil · 20/10/2011 09:52

punkinpie

"It used to be the case that STIs were only tested for if there was a reason"

There is a reason - in the OP she describes having abnormal bleeding.

worraliberty · 20/10/2011 09:54

Abnormal bleeding is reason enough as it can be a sign of an STI

Therefore tests will be offered.

spookshowangellovesit · 20/10/2011 09:55

you get tested for stis when you get prego, its in your best interests to eliminate all possibilities.
doctors are often extremely tactless i went in to tell one that i was pregnant and she said to me well you had a loop excision so that could cause a miscarriage or premature labour. no preamble ,no comfort. but i would rather no the possibilities than not.

punkinpie · 20/10/2011 09:55

Well, I wasn't tested for STIs when I had that symptom back in the day.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 20/10/2011 09:55

That's what I mean, Punkin - given that I wasn't tested for STI's with intermenstrual bleeding, they must have some kind of criteria for deciding to test for STIs', otherwise costs would rocket and testing services would be overwhelmed.

He should have explained why he was testing for STIs - patients now have a right to be given this information.

pinguwings · 20/10/2011 09:55

You are being ridiculous. Doctor sounds completely in the right. It's not just teenagers that get gonorrhoea and chlamydia. They can be very very serious if not treated. What were you embarrassed about? That the receptionist would know you've had sex?

screamingbohemian · 20/10/2011 09:56

Well, I kind of get what the OP is saying, in that it sounds like the GP didn't pay attention at all to her medical history, which is annoying. I would have expected the GP to say something like: oh, you've had problems in this area before, let's get you another smear test. Oh and while we're there, we'll test for STIs because they can cause similar symptoms.

I do think you're being oversensitive, but it's annoying being treated like a walking symptom instead of a human being with a medical history.

punkinpie · 20/10/2011 09:56

But would they test a nun?

spookshowangellovesit · 20/10/2011 09:58

know

worraliberty · 20/10/2011 10:00

He should have explained why he was testing for STIs - patients now have a right to be given this information

He didn't refuse the information...she just chose not to ask for it.

VivaLeBeaver · 20/10/2011 10:01

They would probably recommend that a nun be tested, they can't assume she's kept her vows. Of course anyone can decline any tests they wish.

branson · 20/10/2011 10:01

I have had this very conversation with a nun recently when we were talking about the rise in STIs amongst young people. She had an HIV test amongst other things because she kept getting thrush and got pneumonia. I got the impression she thought the Dr was being efficient rather than thinking she was a dirty slag. I didn't actually ask her if she was offended. Turns out there was nothing serious wrong with her but its better to know.

On womans hour the other day there was a thing about HIV being under diagnosed in older women because GPs are reluctant to test even when they are symptomatic.

catsareevil · 20/10/2011 10:01

What do nuns have to do with this? Is the OP saying that she has never had sex?

VivaLeBeaver · 20/10/2011 10:02

Did you know the highest risk group for getting an sti is married, middle aged women. They don't practise safe sex as they see nom reason why they should, not realising their dh is playing away.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 20/10/2011 10:02

It should be offered - patients should not have to ask for it, as per Govt guidelines. I'm in Scotland, but am guessing the DoH have similar.

branson · 20/10/2011 10:04

I think she is saying he didn't take her sexual history but I don't see why he would for routine tests given that loads of women wouldn't tell their GP the exact truth and wouldn't necessarily know if they were infected by a cheating partner.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 20/10/2011 10:04

OK, Beaver - so why, as a married, middle aged woman, do you think I wasn't tested for STI's? Do you think it's possible that there is some other criteria? Would love to hear from a GP who actually knows, rather than endlessly speculating.