To complain about treatment during smear test?

[IfIHadAHeart]

I have never had a smear test, until today. I’m at least 12 years past when I should have had my first, but as a victim of SA I’ve never been able to bring myself to go. I’ve recently had some symptoms that meant I’ve had to bite the bullet, and so this morning off I went…

I explained to the nurse that I was anxious, and she did a good job of putting my mind at rest. Initially once she started it wasn’t too bad and I was just thinking how foolish I’d been putting it off for so long. But she couldn’t find my cervix even after a few minutes of (admittedly quite gentle) trying. She disappeared behind the curtain and the next thing I hear the treatment room door open and she walks off down the corridor leaving only a paper curtain between me and a busy queue of people waiting for their covid jabs.

she returns with another nurse and is explaining to the nurse (not to me) that she can’t locate my cervix. Nurse No2 picks up a speculum and shoves it quite roughly inside with no warning and without having said a word to me. She then tries a different size, then back to the first. It’s becoming quite painful. She pulls it out then in again repeatedly. No lubricant, and I think by this time any natural lubrication has gone (sorry TMI!) Eventually I ask her to stop, to which she replies “If we can’t do it today you’ll only have to come back”. I need the test and I knew if I left I’d never go back, so I silently let her carry on. Eventually it’s done. I dress, leave, and by the time I get back to my car I’m crying.

I’m not sure if I’m being dramatic, and I’m sure a smear test is never particularly pleasant, but it’s really upset me. It’s the fact that No2 didn’t feel it necessary to speak to me or explain what she was doing. Or show any awareness I was uncomfortable and in pain.

WIBU to complain to the surgery? Or is this just normal?

Oh god, that’s awful OP. I hope it doesn’t put you off going again.

I can remember my very first smear, the G.P (definitely G.P as avoided them prior but wanted a prescription for the pill) anyway she warmed the speculum and used lube wasn’t painful, just uncomfortable. Decades have since passed, I have DD yet it can still really hurt and they never warn the speculum now. I’ve been shouted at for showering, shouted at for being nervous…

The next best experience was a nurse who couldn’t find my cervix but made me laugh and at least made the whole thing less mortifying!

I don’t know why they pull off one sheet of kitchen roll and say “here, cover yourself if you like”🤣

@Trenberling (and others that don't feel comfortable with this procedure) - there is a private swabbing option available.

The NHS smear only checks for presence of HPV. If you're negative then no further checks are done. The only visual check is a quick glance at your cervix before the smear is done.

So whilst the NHS check is still slightly better than the private swab, if it's between the NHS one or nothing then I'd recommend considering the private one.

If the result came back positive then you would be able to discuss with the GP and see what your options are.

I don’t go either any more.
Been married to the same man many years and never had any issues in the past so I decided to stop.
However I would encourage younger women to go at least until they’re settled with the same partner for a few years. It is worth it.

I'm so sorry you went through this @IfIHadAHeart As previous posters have said - this is just not normal. You shouldn't feel any pain or discomfort or awkwardness while having a smear test, not these days.

I'm really very sorry about what happened to you in the past - and this smear test shit absolutely shouldn't have happened to you. You must definitely report this to the practice. You're not going to get anybody sacked or anything. They'll just change the way they treat people ... If you don't report it, how are they going to know this is happening? Please report it. Don't be afraid to. Lots of love and hugs. I hope you're okay..

Please make a GP.appointment. If you have symptoms you need a GP appointment and a different pathway.

Smear tests are NOT for investigating symptoms, they're a screening tool for asymptomatic patients.

This is precisely why I don't go, too much trauma to go into but I wouldn't trust any of them. The word stop is far too often ignored.

I’m so sorry you had this experience, it sounds very unprofessional and unkind. Just wanted to say, if you have any symptoms a smear test is not a diagnostic test. Please, please , if you have any symptoms, go and see your GP. You can always explain in the econsult beforehand about the SA if you feel able.

Hugs (9 months post total hysterectomy here)

Absolutely agree with this.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. The first nurse should have closed the door so you felt less exposed, the second should definitely have spoken with you.

1. Make a complaint to PALS to prevent this happening to others. I had cervical treatment once off an awful doctor who told me I was being dramatic, and I told him if he kept hurting me I would shove that speculum in him, 2. Go to a sexual health clinic and arrange a smear through their service. They are much more skilled at dealing with female anatomy. My cervix is hard to find due to low bicornuate uterus, and tilted/ twisted uterus. I have found better service from those who do these tests in specialist centres of care. 3. I appreciate your history makes this a difficult procedure. However, many cervix related diseases are prevented or treated by early screening, so don't let nurses lacking clinical skills put you off.

Was this a GP surgery? If so, next time, I'd ask to be referred to outpatients department at a local hospital. They have many tricks up their sleeve for doing smears and normally have a special chair for you to sit so you are upright, which makes it easier.

Yes, do complain.

Next time, tell the nurse that you had a horrendous experience with the last one, that it’s hard to find and that you might need the smallest speculum. That should make it a lot easier.

I hate having a smear.

So sorry you went through this. I had a bad experience about 6 years ago where the nurse was so rough poking around. It took me a good 6 months to book my following smear. I explained to the new nurse and it was like night and day. It was soooo much better. I honestly felt violated and wish I had complained. Please do make a complaint.

Complain strongly, don’t let them get away with this.
Nurse 2 treated you as though you weren’t a sentient human. Too many HCPs do this.
Nurse 2 should not have left the door open when you were on the couch exposed. She should have shut the door.

If you have symptoms a smear is not the right thing - you need a GP appointment.

They should have asked if you had symptoms before they started though. If they didn't that is another thing to complain about. The way you were treated is not normal, it is not acceptable, it sounds most unpleasant and they need to do better.

Being a woman is really bloody hard. I hope you're okay OP xx

I'm so sorry to hear you had that experience. If you feel able please do complain. And don't worry about getting anyone into trouble. You were treated poorly.
I've never spoken about this, apart from to my partner, but I was examined very roughly many years ago by a female doctor, so much so I was crying. She then totally minimised my discomfort and said it was because I was nervous about it so not relaxed enough.
I've never been for a smear test since. I really felt violated and wish I had complained.

I agree, it didn't uphold your dignity & nurses should be well aware of trauma informed practise. I'd send an email to the practise. I'm sorry your first experience wasn't a positive one & I hope it doesn't put you off going again in future. Well done for getting it done- hope you treated yourself to something afterwards x

Some smear tests can be uncomfortable but there’s absolutely no need to not have any manners.

Obviously nurse 2 has smear experience to do it so there’s no excuse for no bedside manner.

My nurse has always talked me through each step.

I’m sorry you had such a crap experience, especially after a 12 year wait.

I have recently had my second baby, and any time they've wanted to examine me they ask permission every single time.

Surely they should have known that. It should be standard practice?

I've never had a smear test either for other reasons. However as I have just had another baby, I need to bite the bullet for them.

I hope you're ok xx

I’m so sorry this happened to you, that’s awful. Definitely complain. I wish I had after I went last year. The nurse was really rough and didn’t stop when I asked (just said that she was almost done). She didn’t even ask if I was okay despite me crying before it finished and continuing to cry and we left. My partner was there and he tried to advocate on my behalf but was just horrified as she didn’t even respond to him saying that I was in pain.

I really hope all your results are okay so you don’t have to go again any time soon. I would advise an advocate in the future too - my partner may not have been able to do anything but I’m glad he witnessed the behaviour too!

Erm no definitely not normal. Especially leaving the door open!

Had a few smears over the years and all have been absolutely fine, no pain at all. However most recent one was awfully painful and rough and I was absolutely fuming afterwards as it's just carelessness.

They might have been rushed but it's still no excuse as it might put you off going back again. It is possible to have a pain free smear so sorry this has happened.

Firstly, well done for getting your smear, they are definitely not my fave thing!!
I always have this issue and had an experience like yours a few years ago (although, think yours sounded a bit worse tbh). I had one the other day and same thing happened, couldn't find cervix - ugh! However the lovely nurse was fantastic- warned me before she was going to insert anything and tried a few tricks and finally it worked! She was very lovely and I felt like I was in good hands.

There is no excuse for the way they dealt with you, I've had similar when I was in labour and shouted at by a registrar when she was breaking my waters!! I was in a lot of pain and she was very unsympathetic when I was at my most vulnerable!! As were you when having a smear. I would definitely complain if you feel able.

Defo complain! That's a horrendous way to carry on, you're in such a vulnerable position (even without the SA taken into account) that to be respected and treated with dignity is the absolute bare minimum! Hope you're ok

I wish I’d complained last time. She said she needed a light but said she couldn’t be bothered to look for one as she didn’t know where they were. I said I was in no hurry if she wanted to go look but she said no. I couldn’t sit down comfortably for a few days and bleed afterwards. I debated for a couple of weeks then the pandemic happened and I thought I’d leave it. But I due again and I’m reluctant to book.
Defiantly complain wish I had

I'm absolutely fucking sick of women getting treated like shit during medical treatments, labour and birth. I've heard so many stories of awful treatment, limited pain relief, aggression, bullying. When I had DD my breastfeeding "help" consisted of a midwife grabbing my breast so hard that I had finger shaped purple bruising.
Please do complain. Hope you are OK.