Actinomyces picked up on cervical smear...

[catnipkitty]

...anyone else had this? Did you need treatment? Letter from GP says nothing needs to be done unless I have symptoms and then my IUD might need to be changed...is this correct?

Thanks in advance
C x

I'd suggest going in and having a chat with practice nurse or the GP, so they can give you a better idea of the symptoms might be, then whether your IUD would need to be changed if you have them.
An actinomyces infection would ideally be confirmed by microbiology tests as a cervical smear isn't designed to detect infections. Certain organisms can be seen on a smear but as its not the same type of testing as used in microbiology so isn't 100% accurate. That's why they're not proposing an action unless you have a problem.
Hope this makes sense.

Yes I had this. Also had IUD at the time. I was told it was nothing to worry about and to leave it by several people.

To cut a long story short, I started getting pelvic, pain after sex, which went in for a while. I ended up with pelvic inflammatory disease in the end. Had the coil removed and it resolved.

I would get your coil removed tbh & wish I had done this first off.

Thank you for your replies. Seriously could you have another IUD in the future? How do you know when infection has resolved? I have a GP appmnt for tomorrow so hopefully all will become clear...
C x

Hello, just had the same letter following a routine smear - they have found actinomyces. Advised to make an appointment with Doctor, have done so but it's not for 12 days...catnipkitty if you come back to this thread I would be very interested to know what your Dr said. Thank you.

Hi all...

This thread is very old so unsure I’ll get a reply...
But I have also had actinomyces show on my smear... I’ve had a copper coil for 2 years...
I’ve been referred to see a gynaecologist but it won’t be for 6weeks...

I’ve read everything from ‘no treatment necessary, leave the coil in’ to ‘immediate removal of coil necessary, intravenous antibiotics required and possible surgery to remove absesses on cervix’...

What was the outcome please of your diagnosis?