To think they can't withhold the pill

[Whatshallidonowpeople]

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

Mine wouldn't prescribe unless I had a blood pressure check. Surely that's the same kind of thing? They want to prescribe with confidence and if you are having symptoms of something they want to rule it out, no? Would you be as annoyed if they wanted you to check your BP?

A friend of mine died from cervical cancer (aged 28), she was a year out of date for her smear, she campaigned for awareness of the importance of smear tests. I never miss mine now.

Thanks Melamine but Nurse Practitioner, not Dr.
It’s true that Progesterone only contraceptives can cause break through bleeding. I don’t know what sort of pill you’re on OP? The trouble is that the symptoms should be investigated to rule other stuff out. Cervical cancer is probably the least likely cause btw so don’t panic.

I am not lying. They have said unless I have a smear they won't give me any more pills.

@nursy1 would you send a patient with unexplained bleeding like this away with instructions to make a smear test appointment within 3 months, and link this to receiving a repeat prescription for the pill? Is that standard practice to allow a 3 month wait before any further investigation?

Would you be as annoyed if they wanted you to check your BP

I suspect not as it's a non-invasive painless procedure.

A smear test is both invasive and painful/uncomfortable and if you've had a different sort of painful procedure involving your cervix I can understand why you'd be concerned. OP when was that procedure and was it as a result of having a smear test? What is the recall time for smears if an abnormality is found and dealt with? I am presuming it's less than the normal 3 years?

The bleeding has only been since I started the pill. I'm not asking should I have a smear, I'm asking should they blackmail me into it?

Did they give any reason why a smear was necessary, OP?

I asked what sort/how long but I think OP won't be back.

I think she posted on a previous thread about being given some sort of punch biopsy? rather than a smear, (not in the uk) which sounded unpleasant.

The sensible thing would be for someone nice to chat to her about it and untangle all the problems she has related to it. I don't think they are actually withholding the pill but they do seem to be pressuring her into the smear, which is not helpful.

Ah you're back

How long have you been taking these pills, and what are they?

If you are having side effects, wouldn't it be irresponsible for them to prescribe more pills without the proviso that things are looked into?

BLACKMAIL?!

I had sympathy before, but now you sound ridiculous. Do not call the clinic throwing allegations like that around. Ffs.

nursy1 would you send a patient with unexplained bleeding like this away with instructions to make a smear test appointment within 3 months

Tbh. No. Having an abnormal smear or bleeding is not a reason to stop taking the pill. It might be a reason to change your contraceptive method once everything else has been ruled out.
I’m not quite sure exactly what the OPs symptoms are and which pill she is taking.
I would be on the phone explaining why it’s important to get bleeding checked out but I do know the time pressures are huge at the moment ( I’m semi retired)
Nurses and GP practices get paid if they achieve a certain % of patients with up to date smears. I hope that isn’t the reason for the pressure.

Has no one read my post? I've been a GP for over 20 years, I know what I'm talking about.
When a doctor prescribes a drug they are taking clinical responsibility for that drug. Therefore, if adverse effects occur as a result, and those adverse effects could have reasonably been predicted, yet the doctor chose to ignore them - then they are liable.
Patients can live how they want to, decline tests, take drugs, smoke, drinks, do whatever they like. It's their choice. But you can't expect a doctor to jeopardise their career by acting in a non medically safe manner.

I'm asking should they blackmail me into it?

But they're not!

They are simply laying out your options. If you want to continue on the pill then you must have a smear as they will not prescribe anymore until you do due to your history and the nature of your symptoms. If you dont want a smear, as is your right, then you need to use a different form of contraception.
No blackmail involved, they are just not doing what you want them to.

The two things are linked. YABU.

One word - targets

Clearly they are aware that an unwanted pregnancy poses risks too, hence giving you a small supply of pills. But they have made it clear that ongoing treatment is dependent on safe medical practice ie having a smear

@Mintychoc1, would you send away a patient like the OP asking her to make an appointment for a smear within 3 months? Is that the right approach to unexplained bleeding whilst taking the pill?

@Mintychoc

100% that.

I had a colposcopy without anaesthetic - it did NOT feel like a pinch. It was painful and I was distressed enough without the added pain

After my loop excision I had to go back for another biopsy; I asked for local anaesthetic and they gave me one

I had a breast biopsy with anaesthetic thank goodness the needle is massive

I had to go back for another and the doctor wanted me to have it without and I refused. I then had to wait, but had the biopsy with a local anaesthetic.

We are all different

assassinatedbeauty it's not ideal, but it's the lesser of two evils. OP has been told what she needs to do, and they're giving her 3 months to get her head around it. It's a compromise.

I've had a traumatic smear test. and I couldnt go back and do it again. it became a total irrational (rational) fear for me.

OP - have you looked into
www.gynaehealthuk.com/

perhaps you could do this and discuss with your doctor. or see if there are any alternatives.
to all the people who have never had a traumatic smear, then you just can't understand

Op please discuss this with your GP.

Have you actually told her you don’t want a smear? Because if you haven’t shes going to be unaware of this. It’s your right to refuse a smear, however unwise that is, but it’s also her right and her responsibility to prescribe responsibly.

They aren’t trying to blackmail you - your GP could be held liable if your symptoms turn out to be something other than pill related bleeding.

I was refused the combined pill by my GP due to having a certain type of migraine - despite my previous GP being very blasé about it. New GP was absolutely right - the stroke risk for women on that specific pill type is elevated with the type of migraines i have, so I took a different type.

You need to discuss your options with the GP, not accuse her of blackmail.

I have had a traumatic smear and I have some sympathy with the OP for that - there are things that a good practice will do, such as smaller speculum, positioning, even in very extreme cases a (very) light sedation.

There are ways through this - OP needs to discuss with her GP.