To never have another smear test again.

[Whiskyinajar]

Today I went for my first smear test in a decade ....I've never found them easy and today was no exception. In fact today the smear test couldn't be done as I was in so much pain and it was so uncomfortable that the nurse could not even open the speculum. She did say that she could just about visualise my cervix and the visually it looked healthy.

I'm 55 and I've been through several smear tests, I've never found them easy. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and I have vaginismus hence all smear tests being horrific..

I left the health centre today feeling a failure which I know isn't a logical feeling, I know I am not a failure and that the issue is psychosexual.

However in terms of risk factors I am low risk. I've only ever had two sexual partners and I am a non smoker and always have been.

I'm going to write to my GP and tell her I am opting out of further smear tests.

The nurse today said they would refer me to gynaecology as they may have more success. Tbh I will not allow anyone near me with a speculum ever again unless they sedate me first.

I'm also looking a self testing kits which the NHS don't recommend, however I know in North London there is a current study looking at self testing kits and that these are used successfully in parts of Europe.

Tempted to order one and just share the result with my GP.

Help! Anyone else been in this situation.

[quote wonderstuff]@MrsWhites I completely agree. I honestly think most of the information I've learned over the years about my health has been gleaned from TV and social media.
I've got pages of information about a gyne op next week, but almost all of it behavioural, where to go what to wear, when to avoid sex.. nothing about hpv or cancer risks. I think the only time I've had solid statistical risk information from the NHS was when my children were having their MMR jabs.

Women's health is complex and we deserve good information.[/quote]
Exactly. How many women are told about the risks of prolapses etc following childbirth, there just isn’t good information available to women about intimate health in general.

It’s almost like the NHS believes that women have sex and have babies so why would anyone mind having a stick poked up there without actually thinking about the woman as a person. Different women with different experiences and different anatomies. Lots of woman on these posts clearly agree, but for me it always comes back to woman should be given the information and options to make the decision that is right for them!

"It’s almost like the NHS believes that women have sex and have babies so why would anyone mind having a stick poked up there without actually thinking about the woman as a person. "

My experience of the US is the same.

This site is a lot to take on and I'd like @MNHQ to take a look please

What? What makes you think the staff at Mumsnet are more capable of reading and assessing the info on another website than us mere women?

Maybe someone @mnhq would get a consultant gynaecologist to do a q&a around this subject. It would be extremely useful.

I also think theres a lot of paternalism in the NHS, maybe healthcare more generally?
We're used to doctors knowing best and referring to them without our understanding, I think that is starting to slowly change.

I also think the information actually out there on women's health is still woeful. My mother went into menopause after hysterectomy about a decade ago and trying to find good evidence based information is really difficult because there just isn't much research that's been done. Things have changed a little in 10 years, but considering how common and how much impact side effects of menopause can have its shocking really.

yes HPV can lay dormant, sometimes for years. If you are negative then you won't be re-tested until your next smear

@lawandgin

I'm not sure this is right. Is it?

HPV can lie dormant in terms of it causing cervical cancer, but it would be picked up during HPV screening. If a woman has a negative result for HPV, no new partners, and her partner doesn't have sex outside their relationship, the HPV 'status' would remain negative.

80% of people do have HPV at some point of their lives but the immune system manages it and clears it.

@JinglingHellsBells from my research it is correct. The virus can lie dormant for years and wouldn't be detected then because it is inactive. Also HPV is not only acquired through sexual contact - it can be transmitted through skin to skin contact...

lawandgin is correct. It can lie dormant and flare up at any time. The body may clear it but it isn't completely eradicated. Just as chickenpox virus can be reactivated and cause shingles.

@Marinaloves

Maybe someone *@mnhq* would get a consultant gynaecologist to do a q&a around this subject. It would be extremely useful.

There is a very definite medical bias here though. The current climate is all about the screening.

I find this all so confusing.

If I last had a smear in 2016, would HPV have been tested for then?

That was my one and only test and I’ve informed my GP I’ll never have another. They still send the letters as it’s an automated thing.

Not in 2016 I don't believe Londt so might be worth getting one of the self swab ones to be safe?

I had a letter from my GP a few weeks ago saying I needed to book a smear.

I did as I got diagnosed with cervical cancer last March.

So went for it and it came back HPV positive still and changes to my cells. So the letter said I would need a colposcopy.

Bearing in mind I had chemo and radio for cervical cancer last year - I was a bit miffed.

Anyway I spoke to my consultant who said my GP had been written to and told to remove me from the screening programme as my smears will always come back dodgy from the radiation damage.

I'm kind of annoyed I went for it. Due to the shrinkage from internal radiotherapy it was uncomfortable and made me bleed a fair bit.

Thankfully I asked the hospital before I went for the colposcopy. My GP knows my history, so I'm not sure why he sent me the letter.

I think it's really important to go for smears if you possibly can. That's how I was diagnosed last year. If I hadn't of gone, the cancer would have spread unchecked.

And the treatment for cervical cancer can leave you with bowel/bladder issues. Plus straight into the menopause for me.

It would be great if they could implement a less invasive way for checking for HPV and then only calling you in for a smear if you test positive.

londt you may have been. Some areas were pilot areas for HPV testing first before rolling it out nationally in 2019.

Should say these started in 2013 so yes, quite possible it was an HPV primary screen.

Thank you both, I’ll do one of the home kits as suggested

Then your abuser has won and can continue to potentially kill you
Valium - and do write a letter but tell them you need Valium and understanding

@nitsandwormsdodger

Then your abuser has won and can continue to potentially kill you Valium - and do write a letter but tell them you need Valium and understanding

I'd love some Valium.

I'm not sure that will help with my fibroid though as it's always been pretty chill. It's just rather large and in the way

Interesting point about prostate exams, hadn't thought if men got all those letters

They dont. My DP is overdue his prostate exam, he refused it when it was offered. Not a single letter, not berated by the dr or harangued by the staff. It was offered 5 years ago.

nitsandwormsdodger

Then your abuser has won and can continue to potentially kill you

You see, I know you mean well, like the gazillion Facebook posts to motivate women to go for a smear, however, emotion seems to have taken over in the smear test narrative. It’s not a fight for winners and losers, right and wrong, good versus bad, it’s a screen some women have physical problems with and are wondering why the other seemingly valid alternatives are not used. I think women deserve more facts and less drama.

What’s with all the drama
Surely we need facts and then as can make informed choices as adults
Or are we no longer allowed to

Because there isn't currently a prostate screening programme in the UK, that would explain why they don't get letters...once they get to 50 they are offered to have levels checked if they want, but after having the benefits/risks outlined once, they aren't routinely contacted.

We just have to respect women's choices.
If you've never had a painful smear - good for you. If you've never been abused leading to smears being traumatic - have some empathy for those who have. If a woman makes an informed decision to be screened or not, that should be respected.

It's a national programme who send you the letters not your GP Surgery. You will continue to get letters unless you sign an opt out form which you can get from your GP Surgery.

Agreed @JeanSpinneysSmallPleasures, but the key word there is informed. There is misinformation on this thread, but also some advice on how to access support in the future if needed which is good. People making up statistics or whatever isn't overly helpful.

I asked if I could put the plastic thing in myself after 30 years of crying through the whole process each time (goes back to an abnormal cells smear I had early 20s and I then had to have biopsies etc and it hurt). Used to work myself into a right state for weeks before

So I popped it in myself, no trauma at all and hardly knew it was happening. Done it twice now at my last two smears and it's the only way I can do it now

Try it