to think if I want a smear test, I should be able to have one?

[WirSindEinVolk]

Name change as a slightly intimate topic...

In the last month, I’ve started noticing that I’ve had bleeding between periods as well as after sex.

I want to have a smear test to check everything’s ok on that front, but when I went to book one at my GP surgery, the receptionist told me I couldn’t, because my last one was only 3.5 years ago. According to her, I have to wait the full five years.

She told me that even if she gives me an appointment and a nurse takes the sample, the lab will refuse to test it.

Does anyone know if this is true? Surely a lot could change within 3 and a half years, and if you’re having symptoms you should be able to get it checked?

I’ve been told this before too. Maybe try your local GUM clinic?

I’ve been told this before too. Maybe try your local GUM clinic?
It won’t be any different. The op just booking in for a smear isn’t the the right course of action here anyway. She needs a GP to examine her properly and send off some other investigations.

This test is a screening not a diagnostic test. The symptoms you describe should lead to a gynea referral.

I was supposed to have an annual smear test due to treatment for MS. I had to go private for the first one. As it is true that the NHS won't do it if you are not due for it. And if it is done the sample will be rejected by the lab. Fortunately since most women were having problems getting them done. They have agreed to stick with the normal schedule.

I had similar symptoms to you recently as well as bleeding mid cycle, GP referred me to a gynaecologist at my local Hospital who treated me for the symptoms, what I needed wouldn't have shown up in a smear. I'd push to go dow this route xx

I've recently had same told to me although it's 3 years in Scotland I was told they actually can't override the screening system but I can make a appointment with my GP and if they thought it needed investigated it goes through the gynaecology route at the hospital.

@WirSindEinVolk

It may be nothing, it may be something, keep pressuring them to test to find a conclusion.

It is well know that there is extreme sexism in medicine with doctors not taking women's health seriously and dismissing women when they say they are having a problem. Also, scientists do significantly less medical research based on the female body and so often don't know themselves why something is happening with your vagina.

If you have unexplainable blood, they need to reach a conclusive reason why by running tests, not just say 'it's probably this, go home now'.

If a man came in with blood dripping out his dick they would run tests until they found out why. I know this isn't the best example, but you get what I mean!

Bleeding after sex needs checking out. It’s probably something and nothing (a polyp in my case) but shouldn’t be dismissed.

A smear test isn’t the way to go about it - as your GP was dismissive, I would try a nurse appointment at your surgery, or your local GUM clinic if you have one nearby.

Presumably you are over 50 if you only have a smear every 5-years so probably is due to menopause. I certainly bled between periods at that point. However , they should investigate whether it's anything else. They won't do a smear though.

a smear test is for screening to look for the presence of HVP viruses. It does not look at abnormal cells if the virus is not present.

If you are bleeding in between, you need diagnostic test, not screening .Your GP should refer you.

I'd get a second opinion from another gp if you can op. My gp told me recently that spotting between periods or after sex would be cause to be checked out. We were talking about peri-menopause at the time. He said if it ever happens to see him as it may not be linked to pm.
Not to worry you, chances are you're ok, but do push your case.

Go get checked out a regular smear test is part of screening but you must go to your GP with your concerns why wouldn't you ?

I've read here and elsewhere that nhs labs are refusing to process 'early' smear tests. Could you get it done privately?

As PP have said Cervical cytology is a screening process not a diagnostic one, you need to see a gp (again) and ask for a gynaecology referral, if you feel it isn't down to being peri-menopausal.

Post coital bleeding should be investigated, have a look at the NICE guidelines - easy to google this may then give you something to say to the GP if you feel fobbed off.

Good luck OP

Say as many symptoms as you can to get the test. It’s your life.

Say as many symptoms as you can to get the test

I hope you’re not meaning the op should lie?

You don’t need a smear test. If you are consistently having issues, you need a gyn referral. Smear tests are not particularly more effective if you have them off (though you can pay for a private one if you wish).

I had some unusual bleeding (basically I had a period that lasted 6 weeks). GP referred me to consultant gynaecologist. I had a colposcopy and biopsy (all fine, just one of those things). But no, a smear probably won’t tell you what you need to know.

I didn't know it was five years in between smears, thought it was two! It used to be at any rate.

Make an appointment with another doctor, explain your concerns, let her examine you and she may take a smear at the time or refer you to a hospital for colposcopy. You may have a cervical erosion or it could be hormone related, there are all sorts of reasons for a little bleeding, most not serious but you do need to have it checked.

Don't give up trying!

a smear test is for screening to look for the presence of HVP viruses. It does not look at abnormal cells if the virus is not present

This is wrong. No a smear test looks for cancerous and pre cancerous changes. Bleeding is a sign of cervical cancer, not pre-cancerous changes.
The HPV test is very recent and wasn't available before.

I have had friends who had pre cancerous cells picked up after 3 years. had they had to wait till 5 years it could have been cancer and bled.

I think it is stupid to bang on about screening and diagnostic tests. At an advanced stage bleeding can be a sign of cervical cancer. Any GP who sees a patient with bleeding outside her cycle ought to examine her and look at her cervix, for a start. An advanced cancer would show up.

The UK is one of the only places where there is a 5 yr interval for women (older women.)

I have paid for my own smears for decades having seen friends with advanced pre cancer which was picked up in time but would not have been under current screening timescales for older women.

OP- go back and insist your DR at least looks at you! They could see a polyp on your cervix or an erosion (called an ectropion too.)

If they cannot see anything amiss they should refer you.

Cervical screening at any private clinic or hospital is about £50-£70 and worth it if you are worried.

I'm actually really surprised at posters suggesting a colposcopy as the first stage for bleeding. Usually a GP would take a look and do a smear- a colposcopy is more invasive and expensive and won't actually find uterine polyps for example.

I had longer bleeding and asked GP to test. They wanted to wait a couple of months and I said no I want testing now so she took samples from cervix there and then. Book again, get a different GP and say you want testing. Be more assertive that something isn't right.

What is surprising is that other countries screen women far more often than the UK. Now that we have the HPV test as part of cervical screening, it is an improvement, but the HPV negative status only lasts as long as you don't have sexual contact with anyone else ( or your partner hasn't.)

Many older women who are coming up to a 5 yr smear will not have had an HPV test before anyway.

You probably don't need a smear; in the first instance, if the bleeding persists, they'd most likely send you for a transvaginal ultrasound.

I can't recall how long my post menopausal bleeding went on for before they'd check, but I think it was 6 or 8 weeks.

Keep going and keep asking! I cant remember how many appointments I had, but I travelled to three different places (a GP and 2 GUM clinics) describing again and agin that I was experiencing pain and bleeding after sex. Dismissed again and again.
Even told to try using lube and different positions!

I can’t recall if they did a smear or not, but even as I was in colposcopy (for the second time), I was still being fobbed off. “I can’t see anything, it’s all normal” as she FINALLY took the biopsy.

It was CIN 3 and I was back to the same Dr for LLETZ shortly after.

I had odd bleeding before periods and it was put down to the onset of the menopause. However, my doctor thought I was a bit young. The next smear test showed up some abnormal cells so I was sent for a colposcopy. After that it was recommended that I had smear tests every 6 months, I had 2 recalls and retested in this time After about 3 years the interval was lengthened to annually. A few years later it was considered there was no longer much risk as the tests had been clear for some time. I would recommend you make an appointment with your GP.