new "painless" cervical smear test - VedaScope

[estusana]

Hi, have recently found the Veda-Scope in a google search for a less painful way of having a cervical smear test. It was invented in Australia, but I can seem to find it in the UK. Does anyone know of a doctor, gynaecologist, clinic etc. that is using the Veda-Scope over here?

sorry, typo: should read "can't" seem to find it, not "can"!

Have you had one recently as they use a small brush - think minute mascara wand! I found it much less painful along with an experienced nurse.

I haven't come across the small mascara wand, just the large plastic speculum! I realise smear tests are fine for many people, but I would like to try and find someone who uses the Veda-Scope. Perhaps it's not yet in the UK.

Just had a quick google and the only info I could find on the Veda smear were a couple of studies from 2001 and 2004. It doesn't really sound like this is something that has taken off . I'm a HCP and have never heard of it. I think your best option might be to ask for your most experienced practice nurse to do your smear.

Yes, it's puzzling me that it hasn't taken off over here, when the research I've managed to find on Google is all positive. It's difficult to know how to find/access a nurse who is very experienced in doing smear tests because this information is not readily avaialble. (I guess medical staff don't like to tell you when they're not experienced at certain procedures, or not doing them regularly). GP has referred me to a gynaecologist, so fingers crossed this will be better.

I suspect the reason that it hasn't taken off here is that the NHS isn't interested in offering a "painless" smear test?

Ask your receptionists when booking your smear who is the most experienced/best nurse at doing smears. I know lots of our patients ask this. What is it about the smear you find uncomfortable? Is it the speculum or the brush? You could ask them to use a small speculum.

I've never had a painful smear test. Have I just been lucky or do lots of people find them painful?

Some ladies do. I find if I take my time, explain everything as I go along it's much less painful but sometimes despite all that, some women find it very sore.

Very painful here. Through the roof painful. V interested in an alternative method although for me I think it's the speculum rather than the brush.

You are lucky Excuse. Lots of women IME find them painful.

I feel it to the point where I know I could never get a coil!

I often wondered why some friends get so worried about smears- maybe that's the reason.

The reasons I have heard for refusing my offer of a smear test are:-

painful
embarrassing
humiliating
violating
no time
no sex life
too old
period
not showered today
smelly feet(!)
wearing trousers

and so on.

I'm happy with any women just saying "No thanks".

It's the speculum that causes the pain for me. The plastic speculums seem to come in a fairly limited range of sizes, and of couse we're all different. I started to think: if you can see into people's bodies with a little endoscope camera (for other tests), why not do the same sort of thing with smear tests? and then I came across the Veda-Scope, which I think does this, but it seems to only be in Australia.

Estusana, if you're still out there, the good news is that I have heard that there is now a Veda-scope MkII which will be launched in the not too distant future. There is a doctor in Sydney's inner west which is using it. I'm not sure if I can post her details here. However, if you can contact the company that is producing it at pacificei.com/contact_us.html, I'm sure they can help you.

That's good to hear. I hope it makes it to the UK.