Home test kits for smear tests

[redsquirrelfan]

I didn't want to derail the "minor things that repulse you thread" but smear tests came up and someone said home tests aren't practical. Can anyone say why? They are piloting them in some areas right now - but sadly not mine.

I was until a quick google explains it’s just a vaginal swab, rather than needing wrangle with a speculum

www.jostrust.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blog/blog/what-hpv-self-sampling

If it's only a virginal swab then yes, I'm all for home testing. Anything more, then no I'm not keen.

I work in this sector and can assure you home smears are not a thing, it's caginal swabs that we send people home with, you have to actually be sure you are finding and taking sample directly from the cervix. I dread to think how many wouldn't.

Sorry should have said that I meant home swabs, not doing a smear test on yourself

Since smear tests only check for HPV now you could order a HPV test from Superdrug or similar. Surely it would just tell you the same thing.

Isn’t it a home hpv test?

@ToadsThePeanutButterSnob

Since smear tests only check for HPV now you could order a HPV test from Superdrug or similar. Surely it would just tell you the same thing.

Yes, but nobody looks as your cervix. Sometimes abnormalities can be seen when the smear is performed.

I'm on the fence about these.
I've had 3 years of smears with hpv but no irregular cells found. The last smear the nurse thought my cervix looked a bit 'angry.'
Subsequent colposcopy found 2 sites of high grade cell changes.The last 3 years of swabs had missed them by millimeters.
I think I'll always go to the nurse so experienced eyes can have a look.