Is there any point - smear

[theskyispurple]

I'm almost 50, married for 10 years, never had abnormal smear results.
I know that the cells only get looked at if the hpv test is positive.
What are the chances of me having hpv now considering that it has never shown up before?
Trying to minimise unnecessary anything in my life - is this something I can cut?

They still take from inside your cervix because if you then test positive for HPV, they’ll look at your cells. If not, it’s chucked.

I’m due one too but thinking of getting a test instead. I’ve only had one partner.

My last smear was really painful. I’ve had IVF and other procedures, and smears were the worst. I didn’t feel a thing when I had my embryo transfer.

Well, it's great that suits you, but it excludes huge swathes of the female population from accessing screening.

They don't open your cervix, they just swab the outside of it.

I'm pregnant and due a smear, but planning on doing the home HPV test and then deciding if I'll book for an actual smear

What's the speculum for then?

I gave up smears some years ago, after excruciating pain, and have never been offered a home test. GP says I am low risk so I don't worry about it. The screening service moans about older women giving up but makes no effort towards adjustment nor any pain relief.

Thanks all... I know the health for the masses thing and it drives me mad that we blindly follow the path that's set.
Currently the cheapest hpv test I can find is £48, which is probably a lot less than the cost to the NHS of me having the smear. Can't afford it though so I'll have to have the smear.... or maybe wait a year because I can bet you home testing will be rolled out.

To open your vagina so they can see your cervix

Another advocate for the at home test- I order from Superdrug online. Not sure if that’s any cheaper OP, it’s an absolute doddle and miles better than the alternative. Can’t stand the patronising emotional blackmail used to try and convince women to have smears.

@ChaiTea20 but last time they only did the HPV test. So that agonising pain I went through (I screamed!) was unnecessary?

Yes, that's exactly why I'm considering doing the home HPV test @stillherenow

I was diagnosed with CIN3 abnormal cells and my HPV test was negative both times they did it...

OP I'm 43, been single & not had sex for over 6 years. Never tested positive for HPV until my most recent smear test earlier this year. Cells were not abnormal but I'll be called for another smear in a year due to the positive HPV result.

So I'd definitely recommend that you go & would say it's still a possibility that you'll test positive for HPV albeit a slight one.

I tested positive with HPV after a decade of normal smears and one partner (and clear HPV tests in the last few years). Definitely get tested.

Well it's more than that. Make appointment which involves spending half an hour on hold followed by time spent traveling to the clinic, waiting, the appointment itself, traveling back again. Possibly time off work. Why bother if it's pointless?

Does anyone know if it is possible to pay for your sample to be tested fully even if you’re negative for HPV?

HPV is not the only cause of cervical cancer. Hence why you should continue to go for smear tests.

I loathe smear tests, they are so very uncomfortable ( last one was very painful as the nurse struggled. )
She blamed me for the pain! Told me that my cervix was at a 'strange angle!'
She had to try different scrapey things.

It's really put me off.
I know it's vitally important but I don't expect pain for routine procedures.

Smear was normal but found suspicious mass and needed several biopsies and removal. Will always be glad I went

@Windypants21 but they only test the cells if you're positive for HPV? So that's not different to me doing it at home surely?

Another one here who’s gone down the home HPV test route. With post-meno vaginal atrophy, the whole smear experience was just too painful and stressful. The home test was a revelation!

It is no longer a smear. It's a HPV test. Though my practice nurse told me that they still try and have a good look at the cervix.

I would never get an NHS smear because they are completely and utterly pointless. I go private for a proper smear done by a proper gynae so it doesn’t hurt and where they actually look at the cells every 2 years and get an at home HPV test in between.

I am going for my smear, purely because it is going t be the first face to face contact I have had since early 2020 with anyone from my Gp practice. Oh and a pharmacist to review medications as Dr’s don’t do that now, as mine always did it when I was there for an appointment.
if I need a Gp apt, I have to pay £50 to a private company as all I have been offered is a nurse to phone at their convenience at some point in the day, on a random day.

so I have a big list of questions to ask whilst they take their usual, painful, 5 attempts to realise my cervix is hard to find.

Last year I tested positive for HPV and had abnormal cells removed.
I'm early 40s and have been with my partner for 16 years.
Never had an abnormal smear before this.

Not all smears are routine and if the cervix is difficult to locate then yes, it may well be painful. As it may if post menopausal etc.
It's not uncommon for me to refer someone for a polyp/s spotted during a routine smear. These can turn nasty and most people don't even know they have them. So not completely pointless.