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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why you’ve missed/delayed/declined cervical screening?

936 replies

chickentikkawhatswrong · 19/02/2022 13:56

I see a lot of the campaigns on Facebook about women not going to smears or putting them off for too long.

However it’s generally stats and doesn’t seem to delve too far into the actual reasons?

If you are reluctant what holds you back from attending?

OP posts:
FTEngineerM · 19/02/2022 19:33

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER a few minutes of uncomfort every few years is work it for a life time of sex though.. ey? 😂

FTEngineerM · 19/02/2022 19:34

Worth it*

BOOTS52 · 19/02/2022 19:34

Twodogs ask them to use a smaller device, I did this and it does make a difference as I tense up so much and feel so uncomfortable is rotten but please do go and ask for the smaller device. Tell them you are feeling very anxious and try to just relax think of a sandy beach, it is our minds we need to relax and then body will relax. I bloodywell hate it too as bleed after and the feeling of the tightness and eeeww. Then my sister boasts oh didn't feel a thing was over in a second. Some of us just more sensitive than others. Please do go and especially if you have children as they need their mum

Bleuch · 19/02/2022 19:35

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collieresponder88 · 19/02/2022 19:35

I watched the jade goody documentary and I would never miss an appointment now. There is no excuse not to go it could save your life

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/02/2022 19:35

I'm trying to work out the comparison between a smear and having your hair coloured...

Tesoroxx · 19/02/2022 19:36

Because I'm classed as morbidly obese and the thought of trying to get on one of them little GP beds just isn't going to happen Blush

JosephineDeBeauharnais · 19/02/2022 19:36

Iwasonline
A family member says she doesn't need a smear...she's never been sexually active. These are her reasons
My DSis is a lesbian who has never had sex with a man. She has never had a smear test and has no intention of doing so.

Igloo79 · 19/02/2022 19:36

There is no excuse not to go

Fuck off.

BoredZelda · 19/02/2022 19:37

as we all feel embarrassed and do not like it but then is done and over with.

My reluctance has absolutely nothing to do with embarrassment. Nor do I just not like it. It is incredibly painful.

Blossomtoes · 19/02/2022 19:37

@Igloo79

There is no excuse not to go

Fuck off.

Quite. Couldn’t put it better.
BOOTS52 · 19/02/2022 19:37

The point is as someone stated that having your hair dyed not the same, of course it is not but the fact is those women are taking the time to look after their hair so it looks good but they should be doing the same for their bodies so they are healthy and will be around for their children. I know 3 women who never go for smears and was shocked as I absolutely hate it, is so uncomfortable but I ask for smaller device and it is worth the discomfort pain to have the all clear and not be diagnosed with a terminal illness./disease whatever it is called. No one likes it and if anyone does well that is another thread for another day.

Pinchofnom · 19/02/2022 19:37

I’ll be honest I hate them and I find the speculum painful and almost always they need to get a smaller one (maybe I’m just too tense?!)

With that said I’m completely up to date with my screening but I still despise it.

XenoBitch · 19/02/2022 19:38

@BOOTS52

The point is as someone stated that having your hair dyed not the same, of course it is not but the fact is those women are taking the time to look after their hair so it looks good but they should be doing the same for their bodies so they are healthy and will be around for their children. I know 3 women who never go for smears and was shocked as I absolutely hate it, is so uncomfortable but I ask for smaller device and it is worth the discomfort pain to have the all clear and not be diagnosed with a terminal illness./disease whatever it is called. No one likes it and if anyone does well that is another thread for another day.
I am sure you are aware that not all women have children.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/02/2022 19:38

There is no excuse not to go

No one needs an excuse, they can just say no.

BoredZelda · 19/02/2022 19:39

I watched the jade goody documentary and I would never miss an appointment now. There is no excuse not to go it could save your life

As I said above, the BMJ study concludes it it unlikely cervical cancer in someone as young as Jade would be detected in time by routine screening. Cervical cancer in someone that young is generally so aggressive, she could have had smear tests every year and it wouldn’t have mattered.

Dsisproblem · 19/02/2022 19:40

This sounds ridiculous but one of my reasons is that I can't face the booking process. Being on hold for ages, phone line shut between 1-2 for my lunch hour, it's impossible

Also had a really painful internal examination for DC2's birth and I'm scared

MarchCrocus · 19/02/2022 19:40

@Igloo79

There is no excuse not to go

Fuck off.

I second the fornicate away request.
XenoBitch · 19/02/2022 19:41

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

There is no excuse not to go

No one needs an excuse, they can just say no.

Fucking, this!

No is a complete sentence. You don't need a reason at all. 'No' will do.
Why are women policing others about smear tests? I honestly do not get it. You don't see it about things that are more important, like regular blood pressure tests, or general blood tests. Why is it about our sexual organs?

RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 19:41

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FudgeSundae · 19/02/2022 19:42

@Saltisford

Just came back to say can I clarify that my laughing face (🤣) was not at people’s personal pain (I apologise for any offence caused) but at comparing the ridiculousness of labour that for me ended in a lot of pain and an emergency c section against the painless quick swab of my cervix that I have experienced multiple times (something similar to cleaning my ears out with a cotton bud yet but more intimate 🤪). Just being ironic…
Ok good for you? But I have had multiple stretch and sweeps, two labours induced with drip and no pain relief for either, and stitching afterwards and honestly my smears are worse than any of that.
JaneyJimplin · 19/02/2022 19:42

I had a traumatic second birth with lots of very painful and intrusive things done to me without any pain relief or warning.

The thought of smear tests literally makes me feel sick and my heart rate soar now. Reading this thread title had a physical effect on me, I won't read the comments.

I've had 2 since that birth. It's been a challenge but I had a lovely, patient practice nurse who actually did it so painlessly that I barely felt it. But she's left the practice and my only option now is a male nurse I've not met... I feel really anxious about it and have put off going.

Tbh I'm trying not to think about it.

Zotter · 19/02/2022 19:42

I am bedridden with severe ME and too ill to travel. My GP surgery said they can’t do it at home so no smear for me now for ten years.

MamaBearThius · 19/02/2022 19:42

I'm 32 and have never missed a smear. I also am a rape survivor, and I find smear tests upsetting, triggering, invasive and more painful than a tad uncomfortable. However, having my smear test revealed high grade dyskaryosis, and sadly after 2 failed treatments I'm having to have a (very unwanted) hysterectomy.
I urge every woman to have the smear test done, because you have no idea what could be happening in your cervix. Take someone supportive with you, tell your nurse/gp you're anxious, take relaxing medication, do whatever you need to but please have the test. It could save your life

Meggie2008 · 19/02/2022 19:43

Reckon if I ring the doctors they'll be able to tell me when mine is due? I feel like it's been forever since I last had mine, but I can't remember for the life of me even what age I was when I last had it