To ask on AIBU a stupid question about smear tests?

[ChangeYouFucker]

At my age I should know better but can you have it done on your period?

Got it on tues and started today.

I must have just been lucky in the past! So don't know.

Really want it done as I'm overdue by quiet a while 5years

No you can't otherwise it will ruin the sample.

Best done half way through as cervix is lower and more accessible.

No, you can't. The blood gets in the way under the microscope!

Ooh I heard they did now , bit grim though
Ring and check

As others say - blood will contaminate the sample of cells. Mid cycle is best as cervix is lower and slightly open.

No, ideally you should be mid cycle.

It's best not to and you would def be more likely to have an inconclusive result. Better to just postpone it two weeks and I suspect most practices would tell you to do tha anyway

I was told to be at least 10-16 days into my cycle for it. Isn't easy when I have no "usual" cycle!

Yes you can! It doesn't matter. I had mine in September, and I rang before as I was on my period to clarify this with the nurse, and she said the test has improved over the years and blood is irrelevant.

I had one a few days ago, and I was told to reschedule if I got my period (which I did, of course). Some labs can process the smear test if there's blood, but most can't.

So check.

I was told no by the nurse a couple months back.

I think you can now, it hasn't made a difference for me as far as scheduling.

It's not comfortable though! You don't want to be poked and prodded while you're already cramping.

But I have a problem anyway where every test comes back "inconclusive". My cells just don't want to be read, period or not.