smear test and spotting - should i still go?

[ThatVikRinA22]

got my smear test booked in for tomorrow. if i dont go tomorrow it will be January before i can get in to gp's again. thats the next time i get time off work.

thing is - 5 months ago i started cerazette mini pill. i thought the spotting would settle but it hasnt. i get spotting daily. will it affect the smear? is it too yucky to even consider going for a smear while this is happening?

Of course you should go. They can note it on the form but it won't make a difference. It's cells they collect, not any fluid in the vaginal canal. And no, it's not too yucky. GPs routinely fit coils during menstruation, why is one bodily fluid, namely blood, any more yucky than normal vaginal secretions?

dont know but i just felt uncomfortable. im getting stringy brown clots (really sorry tmi!!!) and just feel a bit off about going when everything seems to be falling out down there

and up until last week i worked there. the nurse was my colleague. sort of feels odd and having to go in and say "sorry about the blood" feels even odd -er

That must be very frustrating for you, are you considering switching pills/methods?

I would just say beforehand 'look I don't know if I can have this done today as I have some spotting' if you are embarrassed. If you've worked with her before, you must know that patients have to ask this sort of thing all the time and that she will deal with it sensitively?

If you are really uncomfortable with it though, delay it. But bear in mind you may still be spotting in January!

Dh has booked in for a vasectomy so im hoping to ditch the pills once and for all.

she is the grumpiest nurse going. but i chose to have it with her because we had the lesser of a working relationship! she griped. i scarpered. i am assured she is very professional.

Well I had a coil fitted today in the middle of my period and there was zero ick factor! So hope you went and I hope it was okay. :)

yeah i went and it was fine. (as can be for a smear test!)

she was very professional. she already knew about the spotting because id had a gp consult about it the other day.

so am really hoping thats that.

thinking about coming off this pill anyway - dont need contraceptive - spotting daily plus zero labido = no sex!

The preparation method used in the lab can remove a fair bit of blood so that associated with spotting shouldn't cause too much of a problem.