do i have this right about smear tests?

[tefley]

So, last time I had a smear test, I got a letter saying I was negative for HPV and therefore no further tests were done on the sample like looking at the cells.

I haven't had any sexual contact since my last test, therefore there's no way my HPV status can have changed. So am I correct in saying there's no point in me having a another smear test unless I did have sexual contact?

I'm confused because I tried to explain this to a nurse and the receptionist at my GP clinic, but they were both insistent I come in, and I've been getting multiple texts and letters about it.

My situation is a bit more complicated than most- I have vagnismus which makes these kinds of things genuinely excrutiating. I'm trying to work through it, and I'm worried an unpleasant experience will set me back. The appointment is tomorrow and have been prescribed valium to try to stop the muscle spasms, but it just seems like a lot to go through when (if I've got it right), the sample won't even be tested?

I’m not 100% sure but that’s how I understand it to be nowadays

Hope so anyway as I’m in my fifties and have no desire to ever have a bloody smear test ever again

Your HPV status might have changed because it can lie dormant for many years and then flare up. So just because you were negative last time doesn't mean you will be negative again. Sexual contact or not.

Yep, new test..it’s much more accurate than the old. HPV can “ hide” for many years so still need regular tests to be safe!
the new test means that you can collect the specimen yourself! Ask the nurse about this!

Ok this is interesting, I knew HPV itself could lie dormant, but not that this would mean you'd get a false negative.

You can decline the invitation for any reason you like as long as you give your informed consent for them to remove you from recall.

However, HPV can lay dormant in the body for many years and suddenly appear on screening even in women who haven’t had sex for years or are in long-term monogamous relationships.

Ultimately the choice is yours, but it can truly be a life-saving test.

You don’t have to have a smear. You can get a HPV home testing kit from Superdrug.

Also interesting, thank you! The nurse didn't mention a test you could do yourself, I will do some googling :)

It’s not a false negative, it just means that HPV wasn’t active in the body at that time.

Home HPV testing is a game changer. Not sure if you can get the kits on the NHS but Superdrug do them.

I would try and go, it could save your life and far less invasive than requiring treatment. If you have Valium, could you try a home test (do it yourself?).

Ultimately the choice is yours, but it can truly be a life-saving test.

This is it - if there's a chance that HPV status can change without any sexual contact, then I definitely need to go ahead.

Glad I made this thread.

I completely sympathise with you. I used to have vaginismus but managed to overcome it after confiding in a very kind GP. Its so important that you still go for your smear. I used to dread it too, but I'd have hated for something to be missed for the sake of 5 minutes of pain/discomfort.

Bear in mind the value of a nurse visually inspecting your cervix at a smear, impossible with the self swabs. I've referred many women with ? pre cancerous cervical polyps who had no symptoms.

Oof, this is just as bad as a concerned person posting about vaccines and getting a load of misinformation links that scare them even more.

Smear tests do not cause cancer as this influencer claims. These kinds of screening programme saves lives.

I just didn't want to go ahead when I know it's going to be bloody horrible, if it wasn't absolutely necessary.

The only drawback with a DIY test is that if it's positive you won't be in the system. I imagine you'd have to have a positive NHS test to access the appropriate follow ups.

You do have the absolute right to refuse a smear test and I can understand you wanting to do so.

But as the PP says, HPV can lie dormant for many years, so your HPV status could change.

The flip side of that coin is that it can also take many years for HPV to show itself and to start to cause any problems. If I were your GP I think I'd like to see you for your appointment but not necc to do the smear test - I'd like to talk through a plan with you - perhaps for you to continue "working through" the vagismus problems and to shelf the idea of the smear for now, but with a plan to look at the issue again in a few months or a year? It's not likely to cause any major problems if you wait a bit longer to get it done. The smear is likely to be easier for you if you can feel that you have an element of control over the procedure, which means feeling able to withdraw consent at any point if you feel you need to, and this is probably best discussed in advance.

(I realise that your smear is likely booked to be done by a nurse, not your GP, and maybe you can have this discussion with her. But she will be an employee of the practice and might not have the authority to help you make these sorts of decisions ---- GP practices have to hit targets for the number of women they do smear tests on and get financially penalised if they don't hit the targets so the employees - nurses, admin etc - are prob under strict instructions from their boss/es - the GP partner/s - to try to maximise numbers!)

YABU it can lie dormant for years. I was HPV negative at my test 3 years ago. My last one I was positive had severe dyskaryosis cin 3 and required treatment. From a clear smear to cin 3 in 3 years!!!

Another really good point, thank you!

This is all (begrudingly) making me realise I need to just get it over with.

Tbh this is the only valid reason I can see for opting for an actual smear over a home test.

That being said smear tests are agonising for me and take multiple attempts over several appointments. They are traumatic for several reasons for me. There is no way I am putting myself through that when I can just swab myself just because there is a small chance a nurse might notice something is off.

A quick question. I've only had sex with DH and he's only ever had sex with me. Do I need a smear now they're checking for HPV? Can the virus ONLY be picked up via sex?

You can also catch HPV from your mum by being born vaginally.
Unlikely, but you asked.

im glad op is getting this done after posting, to anyone who is otherwise in the same boat or avoiding a smear, please do go, it literally saved my life having ignored letters for years.

It’s not the most pleasant experience but a damn sight better than anything you’d need more invasive if you do have abnormal results or worse. Less than 5 mins can save your life. (Or at least give you peace of mind)

my blood runs cold when I think about what would have happened to me if I’d kept ignoring my invites.

A smear test is basically just an invasive HPV test. You can test for HPV yourself with a home testing kit.

Jeez, don't do that. Ellie Grey is an absolute idiot who tells hundreds of constant lies about her own health and runs multiple grifts. Just don't go anywhere near her 100% bollocks.