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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Practise nurse withholding the pill without a smear test? (TITLE EDITED BY MNHQ)

204 replies

hoomans · 13/01/2022 16:47

I've just been for a pill renewal appointment with the practise nurse at my GP. I turned 25 last month so have only just come onto the smear screening radar and she informed me that the new rules mean that she can only supply a weeks worth of contraception until I have a smear test and if I continue without having one they will refuse to prescribe it altogether. Surely they can't do this? I haven't declined and I've booked an appointment to get it done but surely this shouldn't be the case?

OP posts:
GreenWhiteViolet · 13/01/2022 17:46

@WonderfulYou

I’ve never heard of this although I need blood pressure checks every few months before I’m allowed my pill but this seems pretty extreme.

I do think smear tests should be mandatory but I struggle to see the relevance between the pill and a smear test.

Mandatory? Do you really mean that? Women should be required to undergo an invasive screening test? What do you think should happen to those of us who say no?
How2Help · 13/01/2022 17:46

Appalling. I know you are getting a smear (and I hope it is because you planned to anyway, not because you have been coerced by this). However, please consider complaining, making some of the points other posters have made - including this not being voluntary informed consent, coercion etc. It is not at all hyperbolic and if you are in a position to complain it will help others who feel they have no voice/confidence.

As a healthcare professional it has really shocked me that this could happen.

BungleandGeorge · 13/01/2022 17:48

It would only be justified if the pill was unsafe to prescribe without the test. Possibly they could argue no prescription without a blood pressure check but not this. Definitely complain

Herecomesthesun70 · 13/01/2022 17:49

Taking away all the aggro
It's not worth kicking off about. You need a smear, you're having a smear you'll get your pills job done.

WonderfulYou · 13/01/2022 17:50

Mandatory? Do you really mean that? Women should be required to undergo an invasive screening test? What do you think should happen to those of us who say no?

Maybe not mandatory but if they refuse the smear tests they should also be refused treatment for cancer caused by HPV.

stmw123 · 13/01/2022 17:52

Please, please challenge this.

XenoBitch · 13/01/2022 17:53

@Herecomesthesun70

Taking away all the aggro It's not worth kicking off about. You need a smear, you're having a smear you'll get your pills job done.
It absolutely is worth kicking off about. It is coercion. It does not matter if OP wanted a smear test anyway.

Should men be made to have a prostate check before they will be prescribed Viagra?

iklboo · 13/01/2022 17:55

Maybe not mandatory but if they refuse the smear tests they should also be refused treatment for cancer caused by HPV.

Jesus Christ I've heard it all now.

LittleGwyneth · 13/01/2022 17:55

Mandatory? PP thinks that smear tests should be mandatory? That's honestly the most ridiculous thing I've read on this website, and that's saying a lot.

Gladioli23 · 13/01/2022 17:55

@WonderfulYou

Mandatory? Do you really mean that? Women should be required to undergo an invasive screening test? What do you think should happen to those of us who say no?

Maybe not mandatory but if they refuse the smear tests they should also be refused treatment for cancer caused by HPV.

Jesus Christ.

I am honestly appalled. Is that a joke?

What about women who are rape victims? What about women with vaginismus? What about women who simply don't want a potentially painful, invasive procedure?

They don't even view the cytological sample any more, and the HPV vaccine has already cut rates of cervical cancer massively in those cohorts who have received it.

DomingoinLittleOakley · 13/01/2022 17:56

@WonderfulYou

Mandatory? Do you really mean that? Women should be required to undergo an invasive screening test? What do you think should happen to those of us who say no?

Maybe not mandatory but if they refuse the smear tests they should also be refused treatment for cancer caused by HPV.

What the ever-living fuck!?
fufulina · 13/01/2022 17:56

Just go to a family planning clinic for your pill prescription. It is an arse, but they sound like a pain.

XenoBitch · 13/01/2022 17:59

@WonderfulYou

Mandatory? Do you really mean that? Women should be required to undergo an invasive screening test? What do you think should happen to those of us who say no?

Maybe not mandatory but if they refuse the smear tests they should also be refused treatment for cancer caused by HPV.

Do you think this should also apply to all other screening too? Breast cancer but never been screened?... no treatment for you.

Should someone who has avoided the dentist (dentists check for oral cancers) for decades due to a phobia be denied treatment for an abscess?

How far are you going to go down this path?

Gladioli23 · 13/01/2022 17:59

*They’re working towards this but currently HPV screening still involves a cervical cytology sample (not just a swab) so not something you can do yourself at home.

Primary HPV screening is a step towards home testing though.*

@Sidge - I am a bit confused by this, because you can already buy a home HPV test online? onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/hpv-test.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuP-OBhDqARIsAD4XHpe_WUGYctvSfdS_DD-88ri6uVrjv3FAMun6ZK1uorzWfDjXE90L1uoaAneCEALw_wcB

I always assumed it was just an NHS being slow to implement something/not wanting to implement it for older patients where HPV is endemic.

Rumplestrumpet · 13/01/2022 18:01

I can't believe what I've read!! Shocking and outrageous. Please put your foot down OP - for all the other women who can't.

Musicaltheatremum · 13/01/2022 18:03

As a GP that is total and utter rubbish. No link between ocp and cervical cancer at all. And as for a week's worth of pill..the pharmacy would be furious as they have to slit a packet.

I am utterly shocked at this! The nurse isn't even old! I'm 58!! and know this is appalling.

BlueRoseInBloom · 13/01/2022 18:03

@WonderfulYou

I’ve never heard of this although I need blood pressure checks every few months before I’m allowed my pill but this seems pretty extreme.

I do think smear tests should be mandatory but I struggle to see the relevance between the pill and a smear test.

Should prostate screening be mandatory too?

Should the doctor snap his latex gloves on and break out the KY, if a man goes to him for laxatives, before agreeing to provide some Movicol.

After all, wouldn't the doctor be remiss to rule out arse cancer before forking over the shitting tablets.

VillanellesOrangeCoat · 13/01/2022 18:06

@WonderfulYou

Mandatory? Do you really mean that? Women should be required to undergo an invasive screening test? What do you think should happen to those of us who say no?

Maybe not mandatory but if they refuse the smear tests they should also be refused treatment for cancer caused by HPV.

Are you taking the piss or do you really think this?!
BlueRoseInBloom · 13/01/2022 18:06

After all, wouldn't the doctor be remiss to not not out arse cancer before forking over the shitting tablets.

I'm a dickhead. Read before you post, Blue Rose.

Tiredan · 13/01/2022 18:09

It's not worth kicking off about. You need a smear, you're having a smear you'll get your pills job done.

No, no, no!
It's totally worth kicking off over. The OP needs her pill, access to her pill is being restricted unless she has a smear therefore she's been coerced. From the first day of nursing training we are told carrying out any procedure without consent is assault. Carrying out procedures on breasts, genitals or the anus without consent is considered sexual assault. Coerced consent cannot be considered to be consent. It's not small potatoes.

ShadowPuppets · 13/01/2022 18:10

I’m an insane preacher about smear tests as, without mine, the odds are I wouldn’t have lived to see my kids grow up.

But even I think that this is batshit (and don’t even get me started on mandatory/no treatment PP above, who I can only assume has been sniffing something illicit)

If you feel you can, please complain, as that’s appalling.

BlueRoseInBloom · 13/01/2022 18:10

Fucking hell. Have another go.

After all, wouldn't the doctor be remiss to not rule out arse cancer before forking over the shitting tablets.

What the fuck has been going on with my on-screen keyboard this last few days. Never had to watch it so carefully. I might just be getting clumsy though, I suppose.

godmum56 · 13/01/2022 18:11

@Herecomesthesun70

Taking away all the aggro It's not worth kicking off about. You need a smear, you're having a smear you'll get your pills job done.
no! absolutely not this
BlueRoseInBloom · 13/01/2022 18:14

@Tiredan

It's not worth kicking off about. You need a smear, you're having a smear you'll get your pills job done.

No, no, no!
It's totally worth kicking off over. The OP needs her pill, access to her pill is being restricted unless she has a smear therefore she's been coerced. From the first day of nursing training we are told carrying out any procedure without consent is assault. Carrying out procedures on breasts, genitals or the anus without consent is considered sexual assault. Coerced consent cannot be considered to be consent. It's not small potatoes.

That is the most perfect concise post I have ever seen on the subject.
Original poster
hoomans · 13/01/2022 18:14

The nurse has also booked me in with her for the smear test. I might follow it up further. Do they have quotas or anything on how many women they get to do them?

OP posts: