To think they can't withhold the pill

[Whatshallidonowpeople]

Unless I go for a smear? Which is pretty much what they told me.

For gods sake people, the dr is doing their job. Woman is experiencing unusual bleeding, dr wants specific screening to find the cause of bleeding before prescribing medication that can mask the causes of unusual bleeding.
Sensible medicine. Someone doing their job properly. And you're all screaming Unfair! Complain! I want what I want when I want it! Total rot.

And it turns out OP is lying anyway, and she got the bloody pill!

Exactly what was said?

Because ‘I’m going to put three months in, let’s get you a smear and see what that looks like’ and no explanation from you that you don’t want a smear is VERY different from ‘you will get no more pill until you have a smear.’

Did they explicitly say they would withhold unless you get a smear after you’d outlined your concerns?

Why on earth would anyone refuse a smear if a clinician has recommended one? OK, they're not pleasant but they can be life saving.

Viva:

*The only case where this would be ok is of there is a relationship between the smear test and taking the pill.

I’m struggling to see One and would be interested to see what is the link the GP/doctor is doing tbh.*

There IS a relationship between smear test and pill. The COCP increases the risk of cervical cancer. If there have been abnormal cells already, the prescriber would be negligent to ignore this link.

I certainly wouldn't put my job at risk by prescribing for the OP without her having a smear. If she doesn't like it, she can go somewhere who will cater to her preferences.

What sort of pill are they prescribing? How long since you started it?

Blimey @NFATR. The OP isn't lying. She said they will withhold the pill at her next repeat prescription date if she hasn't had a smear.

A smear test isn't to check for causes of unexplained bleeding. If the GP was concerned about that then a specific check should have been discussed and an appointment made for that. Not just a requirement for the OP to have a smear test sometime in the next 3 months.

I’m struggling to see One and would be interested to see what is the link the GP/doctor is doing tbh

Gosh I wonder if theres a chance that a dr knows more medicine than a random aibu'er?

Doctors have a duty of care towards you and can be held liable for prescribing something that causes harm if the risk was predictable or known about.

By that rationale, your GP should be able to snatch your cigarette out of your hand if he sees you smiling in the street? Prevent you from buying five sausage rolls in Greggs?

But a GP won’t lose their licence and potentially be prosecuted for someone smoking or eating sausage rolls, whereas they can be for harm caused by a prescription they wrote. A GP also isn’t responsible for providing cigarettes or sausage rolls and the onus is not on them if harm comes to someone as a result of smoking or eating.

A smear test isn't to check for causes of unexplained bleeding. If the GP was concerned about that then a specific check should have been discussed and an appointment made for that

Wrong. It's part of a smear test to look at things like cervical erosion/ectropion.

For gods sake people, the dr is doing their job. Woman is experiencing unusual bleeding, dr wants specific screening to find the cause of bleeding before prescribing medication that can mask the causes of unusual bleeding.

Again, if the doctor genuinely thinks the unusual bleeding is something to be concerned about then they should be referring the OP to a specialist for further investigation.

They certainly shouldn't be fannying (pun intended) around for three months just for her to have a smear.

Smear tests are screening tools for women without any symptoms. They are not appropriate for someone who is clearly experiencing symptoms of cervical cancer.

So they didn't withhold the pill then. They gave you 3 months worth.
Go for a bloody smear test. My friend almost died and was left infertile after getting cervical cancer at the age of 25. It's no joke.

Taking the pill is known to increase the risk of cervical cancer. The OP is having symptoms that could be related to her cervix and has had previous abnormal results.

The doctor is doing absolutely the right thing by refusing to prescribe anymore until cervical cancer (or other changes) are ruled out. She would be failing in her duty of care if she did otherwise and opening herself up to complaints/legal action if the OP did turn out to have serious problems.

It probably is the pill causing the problems, but no doctor worth their salt would ignore the possibility that it could be something else, especially given the OP's history.

If that's what the GP wanted to check for they should have explained that and made an appropriate appointment, rather than leave it up to the OP to book an appointment some time in the next 3 months!

There IS a relationship between smear test and pill. The COCP increases the risk of cervical cancer. If there have been abnormal cells already, the prescriber would be negligent to ignore this link.
Butbthe patient is allowed to refuse the smear test and the pill shouod NOT the withdrawn because if that.
What is supposed to happen is that the HCP shouod tell the woman of the increase risk and again let her decide what she wants to do.

Fwiw the OCP is increasing the risks of a LOT of others risks and has a lot of side effects. It still hasn’t stoppped most women to take the pill despite those risks - risks that are taken in (what shouod be) full knowledge. Like for all medications actually. NONE OF THEM are risk free. It even the paracetamol or the ibuprofene most people take wo even thinking about it.

My friend almost died and was left infertile after getting cervical cancer at the age of 25

And my friend did die from brain cancer. She was only 18. What did she do wrong?

three months is plenty of time to organise getting yourself a smear test.
Have you left it too late and now will be without the pill because you didn’t get it done?

@PleaseDontGoadTheToad it's not about people doing something wrong it's about the fact that cervical cancer kills, we're offered a screening for it and it's important we take the opportunity. People always think it won't happen to them.
Don't put words in my mouth.

There should not be a requirement to have a screening test in order to access other services. If there is a medical need to have a smear before being prescribed the pill then this should have been explained by the GP.

With the further information, yes, YABU.

I’ve had bleeding - and sodding cancer - and the first thing I’m asked every time is “are your smears up to date” because they give a good indication of things.

Speak to your clinician about your fears and get it sorted. I had to have a biopsy done to ensure there were no problems before I could have a coil - had my smears not been up to date that would have been the first move.

You’ve had a horrible experience, but don’t let it cloud your judgement. The pill may disguise other conditions.

And she isnt forcing/pressurising the OP to do anything!

She is simply saying that the OP can't carry on with her preferred method without checking out her cervix first, and will have to use something else. Just as if the OP was very overweight and had high BP, the doctor wouldnt be saying "you MUST lose weight", but that unless she did she wouldnt be able to have the pill as it would increase risks of DVT etc. It would then be up to the OP whether she lost weight or used a different method.

@Viva - You are not entitled to whatever prescription you want. It is a prescribed medication only for a reason.

OP does not have to have a smear test if she doesn't want to.
Dr does not have to prescribe medicine if they feel there is a good reason not to.
Neither of them can force the other to do so.

Simple as that really.

They used to do this in the US

Your surgery is probably trying to increase take up of smear tests now that women are realising they're not necessary and there are alternatives

Complain to practice manager.

cervical cancer kills

Everything kills.

I could drop dead from a heart attack right now or walk outside and get hit by a car. Everybody has to die one day.

They’re not necessary? What are the alternatives?