Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Reasons you're avoiding your smear test

195 replies

loulousilver1 · 04/03/2021 15:11

Hi all.

While I know I am asking for personal reasons as to why women are still missing/not booking/ avoiding their smear tests there is a reason. I am interested as I work as a social prescriber and would like to use my job role ways to speak to women about having this done.

I recently had a smear test after avoiding it for nearly 10 years, this has now resulted in me attending hospital appointments with the world and its wife looking at my fuff!

I thank you in advance for your responses.

OP posts:
faithfulbird20 · 04/03/2021 18:50

Because you don't know whose going to do it and how rough they are. Some just shove it in really hard like it's normal.

missbridgerton · 04/03/2021 18:54

I ring and book mine as soon as the letter arrives.

I had a normal smear post baby - 3 years later, I had cervical cancer. It was an aggressive form but in its early stages and fortunately after most of my cervix was removed, I was OK. I had them 3 monthly, then 6 monthly, 12 monthly and am now back to a regular 3 year cycle.

I'm still here 20 years later, now not only a Mum but a grandmother.

I can't get my head around anyone refusing it when the only beneficiary is yourself.

TiddleTaddleTat · 04/03/2021 18:57

I have always gone to mine promptly (mid 30s). First couple were unpleasant (metal speculum, too rough) but the last few have been fine, honestly. Maybe it's easier after you've had a baby as everything is a bit looser. They also found a polyp and I need further examination - first by a GP and then a referral to gynaecology. It's important to get them done.

TiddleTaddleTat · 04/03/2021 19:00

Oh and to PPs honestly they don't shove them and they do use lubricant. The speculums are really slim these days. All the HCPs I've seen lately that have done them have been really gentle and kind. Maybe I've been lucky. That's at a GP surgery.

LemonSwan · 04/03/2021 19:03

I am really late for mine actually - 30 and never had one. I has called up at 25 right after I had found a lump in my breast. It turned out to be nothing but I had exams to do and the anxiety it caused me was a reason I didnt want to.

The second reason is I had a genital wart once. So I have/had HPV. I dont want a false positive and continual lasering of my cervix until I have children as I thought it can increase likelihood of miscarriage.

I have been meaning to go but havent booked as of yet.

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 04/03/2021 19:07

Now that they check for HPV first and only look at the cells if possible I will be doing private HPV tests in the privacy of my own bathroom. I was HPV negative on my last one and am happily married with a very limited sexual history so likely to stay negative.

Eaumyword · 04/03/2021 19:13

@TiddleTaddleTat

Oh and to PPs honestly they don't shove them and they do use lubricant. The speculums are really slim these days. All the HCPs I've seen lately that have done them have been really gentle and kind. Maybe I've been lucky. That's at a GP surgery.
That's your experience and I'm glad you didn't suffer. My factual experience as a peri menopausal woman is that when I had mine last summer, it was shoved in without lubricant. When she unsurprisingly found she couldn't shove it all the way in, she reluctantly agreed to run water over it which was still extremely painful and frankly did little good. I used the word shove quite deliberately as that is what she did. Very rough and impatient, very little bedside manner as a HCP. I've always kept up to date with smears. I will really think about whether I shall put myself through the pain next time. If I do, I will be firm about lubricant, or just use some on myself beforehand and not mention it. The OP asked for reasons why women avoid smears. Pain, roughness and lack of decent bedside manner from the HCP are valid reasons.
Eaumyword · 04/03/2021 19:16

I'd also add having had a baby does not necessarily 'make things looser'! Not me, anyway! Wink

GeorgeandHarold66 · 04/03/2021 19:16

I just took a phone call about my smear and ended up nearly crying on the phone then declining the appt. I'm SO cross at my wimpishness now!!

I've never had penetrative sex with a man and gave birth via C section so I find it all quite uncomfortable. The one and only time I plucked up the courage to do it, they let a trainee "have a go" in her own words. It was painful and I had no confidence in them.

I really feel like I need to go, the person who rang me about it tonight was a man too. Shouldn't matter but I just felt so uncomfortable.

Anybody want to give some advice about how I get past this?

WilliamMorrisdancer · 04/03/2021 19:17

OP started this thread and hasn't been back. I'd suggest women didn't give him/her personal details of an intimate procedure.

Piinkjuice · 04/03/2021 19:20

Another note: my letter said that I don’t have HPV so they will not check my cells. The thing is I do have HPV. Should I call my GP to question this?

BlackSabbath · 04/03/2021 19:21

Maybe it's easier after you've had a baby as everything is a bit looser

Don't think so. I've had four vaginal births and still find them painful.

Honeyroar · 04/03/2021 19:22

I haven’t had one for a good ten years now. The last one was quite painful whilst the nurse found the cervix opening and the one prior was by a gynaecologist who brought a team of juniors in to watch (asked me but I felt stupid saying no). Just weren’t nice experiences. And yes I know I should go!

LonstantonSpiceMuseum · 04/03/2021 19:26

I think a lot of women don't just find it "uncomfortable" it's in an intimate area and any stranger looking at it is going to produce strong feelings that are traumatic. Sometimes there's a "reason" like past trauma or upbringing, sometimes there isn't. I know a lady that doesn't use tampons for the same reason.
I don't know what can be done. The payoff of trauma Vs check might just not weigh up for some women.
If the NHS wasn't so underresourced I think GP (practices) could identify those women and do some sort of pre-consultation and gradually working up to a full appointment, similar to how they do with dental phobias.

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 04/03/2021 19:32

@Piinkjuice

Another note: my letter said that I don’t have HPV so they will not check my cells. The thing is I do have HPV. Should I call my GP to question this?
HPV can resolve itself so even if you tested positive in the past you can test negative later on.
Trinacham · 04/03/2021 19:33
  1. I'm low risk. My husband was a virgin before me, and I was also. We have only ever been with each other.
  1. Smear tests now only test for HPV. I did the self-test HPV test from Superdrug. Came back negative for all the strains tested (no surprise as would wonder how I got HPV if it was positive!)
muddyford · 04/03/2021 19:36

I went regularly for thirty years but haven't been for more than five now as the last experience was barbaric and agonising. People who say it's just discomfort have no idea how painful it can be later in life. Roll on self-testing as I won't be letting anyone near me again if they have a speculum within reach.

DogsAreShit · 04/03/2021 19:38

Now: pain. I'm peri. It's genuinely painful.

Previously:

  • having to book in advance for mid cycle. My cycle didn't comply.
  • difficulties arranging childcare as a single parent
  • having cervical erosion resulting from treatment to remove abnormal cells. Not cancerous or even pre cancerous, just abnormal. So the cure was definitely worse than the problem.

It's not a very good system ime as it doesn't take how women's bodies are into account.

3CCC · 04/03/2021 19:43

I hate them
They are painful
I have an awkwardly cervix so ended up with 3 nurses poking around in the end. What was supposed to be a 15/20 min appt way exceeded that
The bleeding after was like a period
Also having neaten up down there for none of the satisfaction shall we say

JamieFrasersAuntie · 04/03/2021 19:46

OP started this thread and hasn't been back. I'd suggest women didn't give him/her personal details of an intimate procedure.

I agree. Using phrases like looking at fuff doesn't fill me with confidence that this person works in health care.

TiddleTaddleTat · 04/03/2021 19:54

Sorry, I didn't realise that being peri menopausal could cause them to be more uncomfortable. I have that to look forward to I guess!

Original poster
loulousilver1 · 05/03/2021 18:14

Wow.
Firstly, it was a question that just made me question why there is still a low rate of smear tests taking place.
Secondly, I do not wish to “convince” any woman to have this done.
Thirdly, fully aware that it is very woman’s choice as to whether they wish to have any form of medical tests.

OP posts:
Original poster
loulousilver1 · 05/03/2021 18:16

@WilliamMorrisdancer

OP started this thread and hasn't been back. I'd suggest women didn't give him/her personal details of an intimate procedure.
You are completely wrong. I have been working, not that I should have to explain myself in regards to not spending all day on social media.
OP posts:
Original poster
loulousilver1 · 05/03/2021 18:18

@JamieFrasersAuntie

OP started this thread and hasn't been back. I'd suggest women didn't give him/her personal details of an intimate procedure.

I agree. Using phrases like looking at fuff doesn't fill me with confidence that this person works in health care.

I’ve been working all day and unlike some I don’t spend all day on social media.

If you would like me to change my post to mention vagina instead of fuff then please let me know.

Surprising what people get annoyed about.

OP posts:
WilliamMorrisdancer · 05/03/2021 18:21

So tell us, OP, what is a social prescriber?