Q for IVF experts: if I don't have smear tests, is it still possible to have IVF?

[RachelW76]

My question is: is it possible to have IVF (privately) if you haven't had a smear test for a very long time - by choice?

I'd prefer not to go into my reasons for not having a smear test here - I had one 14 years ago (which was fine) and haven't had one since. My reasons are very personal, and very serious, but still, it's a choice I've made with full awareness of the risks involved so I'd rather avoid that conversation here.

We are now ttc our second child, currently without success, but will give it a little longer naturally before having any investigations. I was just wondering, if it came to the IVF crunch, would a private clinic actually refuse me treatment if I wouldn't have a smear test first?

Would be grateful for any views on this.

Many thanks in advance.

I'm not in the uk so I'm not sure of the answer. But, at my clinic a smear was performed as part of the routine infertility investigations, because problems with the cervix could be a reason for infertility. I understand you don't want to say why you don't want a smear but if its because of not wanting internal exams then you should be aware that the Ivf process involves quite a lot of internal examination and procedures. For example, all the monitoring scans are internal ones.

I should add that I'm in no way an expert, but I've had one round of Ivf.

hi mrsden also not an expert, also not in the UK, but I think most, if not all, decent clinics in the UK and otherwise would expect all relevant health checks to be up to date in advance of any treatment. Like mrsden I think most often this would come up well in advance of IVF.

I haven't had to have any smear tests for IVF treatment (currently on 3rd attempt) but there are A LOT of internal scans

Thanks all. It isn't an issue with internal exams (of which I've had many, including during last pregnancy) - it is a specific issue with smears. Sorry, not meaning to be mysterious.

Also worth mentioning that in the investigations and other treatments that are offered first there are a LOT of internals too.

If it's 14 years since you had one then it's also worth mentioning that smears have totally changed too, the equipment used and the overall experience. Far more comfortable now, in fact, done right you feel next to nothing. So even if you did have to have one it won't be the same as one 14 years ago.

I've had a couple of rounds here in the uk. You would have to have a clear smear test before your treatment.

Also, as Caip says, the scans are internal, very similar to a smear test and there are a lot of them on each cycle.

Private or NHS services will offer counselling (which I needed as I really had a problem with several aspects both physically and emotionally).

I hope this helps a bit, there is a lot of information on-line and a good booklet from the NHS on the subject.

At every initial fertility appointment I have had (all in the UK, at three clinics) I have been asked the date of my last smear and the result. I have had regular smears so I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't had them. I would note though that no one has ever asked to see a results letter...

I second/third what the others have said. One fertility clinic gave me an internal exam. They have all given me repeated internal scans. Egg collection is done via instruments inserted in the vagina (although most clinics sedate you or give you GA for this part) and the embryo transfer is like a long smear, with them putting a tube through the cervix rather than just brushing cells from it.

I didn't have a smear test before IVF. I guess it must vary by clinic. Though I think in the end it is your informed choice to make as it's for your general health and not an infertility investigation.

My reasons were personal too - a general problem with internals in my case, which as other posters have said there is no avoiding with IVF. However, the clinic provided counselling and fantastic support to help me through it all, so my reason for not having a smear test at my GP surgery before treatment began was to avoid risking the clinic's good work in building up my trust and confidence in my ability to cope, with a possible negative experience in the hands of an unfamiliar practice nurse who didn't know my issues. The clinic knew how out of date my smear test was but never once urged me to have one.

I did promise my GP I'd consider booking in for a smear test once the IVF cycle was over but - if positive stories are helpful - I haven't, because currently 14 weeks pregnant.

I don't remember being asked whether I had an up to date smear in my three rounds of ivf. It's not an hfea requirement like the hiv etc tests, as far as I know.

I would say that it's good to be ok with internals! I thought egg transfer was quite similar to a smear. They used exactly the same sort of speculum or whatever it'sccalled. And at one of the clinics I went to they cleaned around what was presumably the cervix before transfer. You could certainly ask for the clinic's procedures to be set out in detail for you if you go for an initial consultation.

Thanks all, very useful info and those who said they didn't need to have one - I may in time come back to you and ask you which clinics those were.
My issue is smear test-specific, no problem with other internal exams.
Thanks for all responses!