Smear Test

[Imalloutofoptions]

Hi all, hoping for some advice/ experience. I had a smear a little under two weeks ago, I’ve not yet received a letter. Today, I had a missed call from ‘no caller ID’ but no voicemail, then shortly after a text asking me to call a number regarding a hospital appointment. I called the number and the woman on the phone told me I’d been booked for an appointment. I asked what it was for me she said a colposcopy (?) when I asked why she said she didn’t know but asked if I’d had a smear recently, I said yes and she told me to call my GP for more info. I did this and was told I’d had a ‘direct referral for further tests (colposcopy)’ but nobody can tell me why. I asked to see a GP as they must have copy of my letter on file. But can’t get an appointment until after my colposcopy appointment, so seemed pointless? Does anyone know what this is or why I could need one?

A colposcopy is a means of looking more closely at the cervix via magnification.

Your smear will have shown abnormal cells - don't worry this is SO common and does NOT mean anything sinister is going on.

If a smear detects abnormal cells you are booked for a colposcopy so the doctors can take a closer look.

Your results letter mustn't have arrived yet?

I had a smear recently and they've changed it so that they now test for HPV first. If this is not present, they don't test further. If you have HPV, they refer for further testing. Hope everything is ok

Thank you both for your replies. My first thought was that I must have HPV but wish I had the letter or access to the contents! Thank you for the clarification on the colposcopy. I googled some things with different results, the GP secretary told me it was a sample of cells but I also read online they may put dye inside. I think I’m just blindsided and maybe panicked about hearing from the hospital before getting smear results in the post.

It just means that your smear results came back a bit funny and they want to have a closer look. It’s just looking at your cervix with a magnifying glass. They do sometimes apply something to the cervix to see better. I’m my experience, it’s been vinegar! It makes some kinds of cells easier to see. If they see anything they want to look at closer, they’ll do a biopsy, which is just a little pinch ( otherwise the whole thing is pretty painless).

You’ll be fine. I’ve had two of them and both fine (one showed abnormal cells but they’ve since cleared and gone back to normal) and the other was normal. It’s good they’ve gotten you in so quickly, and I’d try not to worry about it too much. They’ll explain your results when you see them.

This happened to me years ago - i had two "abnormal" smears and then I was called for a colposcopy. I was absolutely crapping myself.

It turns out that by the time I went to my colposcopy appointment the cells had returned to "normal" all by themselves and they didn't have to do anything.

They did put a dye on - it was like having a little dab of cold water put on your cervix with a cotton bud. Then they draw this camera thing really close up to the entrance to your vagina and use it to look at the cells - you can look at it on the big screen if you want!

They didn't do anything at all with me as it all normalised itself and I was told later that I only had very very mild cell changes anyway (not that they told me that at the time)

I had to go for another colposcopy six months after the first and then six monthly smears for three years.

Please don't worry unduly - I know it's hard not to but as others have said - it is so common to be called.

As others have said, don't panic! They will check for abnormal cells. I had to have a dye injected so they could see them better. Unfortunately they were significant changes to the cells so they did a loop excision. Completely painless and over very quickly.

The nurses and team are really supportive and very well trained. Was completely at ease during the whole thing. They even offered to let me watch on the screen but i politely declined!

Thanks all, you’ve really put my mind at rest. I’ve had a chance to do some proper reading on it today and am much calmer

I’ve had one and while it’s not pleasant it’s bearable.
Two things I wish I had known:
Don’t look at the screen if you are squeamish! It’s basically the inside of your cervix in absolute minute detail.

The vinegar/dye they apply causes a rather unpleasant discharge. It has a horrible odour.

I felt a bit crampy and wobbly legged afterwards. Try to eat breakfast or have a snack before.

Good luck!

Not appropriate for Aibu.

@Nothinglefttochoose Does it really matter? The OP was scared and needed reassurance and AIBU has the highest traffic. I'm sure if MNHQ has an issue with it then they'll move it but the OP doesn't need amateur site police moaning at her during a stressful time

Give over nothing!

I had 2 colposcopied - they are burnt the funny cells off, it was with a local anesthetic - all in the same appointment. You then get 6 mthly smears to. Keep an eye on you.