Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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

Do any of you really not go for smear tests?

124 replies

Joolyjoolyjoo · 06/01/2009 23:43

I went along dutifully for my routine smear test today. I chatted to the nurse, had my blood pressure taken, assumed the position...less than a minute later, I was dressed and ready to go. The nurse remarked on how lots of women don't go for smear tests, which I found really sad. it was slightly embarrassing, very slightly uncomfortable, and over in a few seconds, but it could save your life. Does anyone really NOT go for a smear, just down to embarrassment?

OP posts:
TequilaMockinBird · 08/01/2009 20:04

TPHW, thank you. And I have a phobia for different reasons to you but I know exactly what those awful panic attacks are like

Off to google CBT, I'll try anything to try and overcome this phobia

ThePregnantHedgeWitch · 08/01/2009 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

honestfriend · 08/01/2009 20:14

starlight- that's not relevant- get it done! Mid cycle means there is less likelihood of getting a dud sample, with blood from the start or end of your period. You don't HAVE to be having periods to have a smear- how would menopausal women ever have one done if that was the case!!!!

StarlightMcKenzie · 08/01/2009 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

TequilaMockinBird · 08/01/2009 20:28

TPHW - I agree, I'd probably be fine if I could just get in through the surgery door and up on the bed!

My phobia is also to do with anything invasive - I'm fine going to the GP for my repeat prescriptions of the pill and AD's. I'm even fine having blood pressure taken.

It's when there's anything actually going into my body - needles, dentists drills, smear test equipment, stitches, etc. IYSWIM

FAQtothefuture · 08/01/2009 20:34

well actually to clear a few things up the official NHS website on the subject says that it's routinely offered to all woman between the ages of 25 and 64

"Age group (years) Frequency of screening
25 First invitation
25 - 49 3 yearly
50 - 64 5 yearly
65+ Only screen those who have not been screened since age 50 or have had recent abnormal tests"

secondly there website does say that mid period is the optimum time for it to be done, although it's not necessary for it to be done then.

"Mid -cycle (usually 14 days after your last period) is the best time because a clearer background to the sample can be gained around this time. This is because the mucus plug is at its thinnest so the sample is less likely to be masked or contain mucus. Also, the epithelium (lining) is at its thickest so the sample taken contains a full range of cells. But it's not a strict rule, so do take advice from your doctor or practice nurse if you can't make an appointment at that time."

honestfriend · 08/01/2009 20:46

starlight- you are making excuses- if the info is not clear, all you have to do is pop along nad ask, or phone up- and just say what you have said here- if you have 45 day cycles then there is always a mid point. It is your responsibiity tofind out these things, not the NHS to treat you like a child who cannot ask questions if things are not perfectly clear.

StarlightMcKenzie · 08/01/2009 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

honestfriend · 08/01/2009 20:59

No- it wouldn't be- as some people might go along on say day 7 when there was still a tiny bit of blood, or a day too soon and same .
Mid cycleis clear enough- and if your cycles are irregular then the answer is to phone up and ask for more info, not ignore the issue.

BONKERZ · 08/01/2009 21:02

i had my first smear when i was 21. i had avoided it for a long time and eventually had it at my 6 weeks check after i had DS. The results came back abnormal and i had t have it redone. The wait between the tests was hell. I now go every 3 years on the dot and so does my sister who was terrified also in that wait!

becka1 · 08/01/2009 21:28

beanieb,
your message "becka1 - do you ever have sex? " is extremely insensitive and unhelpful to someone who has been through a horrendous birth. I do, although with some difficulties, but it is actual medical interventions that cause me to have panic attacks not something much more personal (although still difficult). I think there is a lack of understanding on this thread from several people for those who have JUSTIFIABLE reasons for not going for a smear. Trying to prick someones conscience 'but you should have it if you have a child' is neither here nor there when te physical act of having a child caused these issues!!!!

honestfriend · 08/01/2009 22:26

There are very few if any reasons for not going for a smear- if you have real psychological issues over it then help is available, surely?

FAQtothefuture · 08/01/2009 22:39

"There are very few if any reasons"

"if any"??? yes you posted a very nice link to ways to make it easier for vaginismus sufferers, but I can tell you from personal experience, that if you have very severe vaginismus, that isn't responding to the treatment/therapy (whatever you want to call it) sessions then that advice is no good at all.

Many woman can't even insert a tampon - even a mini one when suffering from it.(thankfully mine was never quite that bad - I could still just about manage the mini ones - but it took about 10/15 minutes of deep concentration and trying to get the musccles to relax again as they kept tensing up to do it)!

honestfriend · 08/01/2009 22:45

FAQ- it wasn't me that posted the link.

FAQtothefuture · 08/01/2009 22:45

oops sorry

fizzpops · 09/01/2009 09:06

honestfriend - it is not a reason to stop me going as such, but making the effort to make an appointment at a convenient time that fits around feeds/ sleeps/ work and then finding out two weeks later it all has to be done again with no real indication that it will different the next time....

It just makes me think - this month, next month, whenever.

All I am saying is making the effort to go is not always the simple procedure that we would be asked to believe.

Lauriefairycake · 09/01/2009 09:17

I loathe going for smear tests - 3 times after having one I've ended up in hospital with PID - my fanjo does not like to be tested

Lotster · 09/01/2009 19:15

I posted the link FAQ, thought it might be helpful, it is after all, from a Vaginismus support site by people who are experienced in dealing with it... Sorry if you were unimpressed or patronised, wasn't my intention, but perhaps some other sufferers would like to try it.

Also thought that clearly vaginismus sufferers aren't who the OP was targeting really, but it seems to be overriding the topic somewhat. Think she was more talking about those who make excuses or can't be bothered.

Starlight, I wish I had a 45 day cycle! According to the "longer your cycle the later your menopause" theory, you shouldn't be experiencing early menopause... wonder if it's true... do you know what age your mum menopaused?

BellaNoir · 10/01/2009 21:52

Close to mid-cycle testing is because the cervical epithelium responds and matures under the influence of hormones. So mid cycle corresponds to peak oestrogen levels and the most mature epithelium, which as FAQ posted is more likely to give the most range of cells to examine, be 'easier' to interpret.
The liquid based tests which are now standard can remove a lot of blood, mucus and other stuff which is why it's less important than it used to be but is still considered optimum.

hunnybun1981 · 10/01/2009 22:49

yes defo go people when i went i had abnormal cells and they did a coloposy, uncomfortable and embarrasing but sure who knows what those cells wouldhave turned into if they had not of been burnt off.

sallypearce55 · 23/01/2013 22:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Peppermintcrumb · 24/01/2013 20:13

Perhaps some women don't bother with smears because they just don't want one?

It's optional cancer screening after all. It you want one, the NHS provide them. I don't think it's necessary to make women feel guilty just because of a personal choice.

I don't agree with the pressure that is put on women to screen either by their GP or their friends.

By the way, it's insensitive to make statements that suggest that doctors don't care if they are looking at your ear or your vagina. If it's my vagina you're talking about. The doctor may not care - but I do.

Sallystyle · 24/01/2013 20:18

I have a friend in her 50's who went twice, got one abnormal and one normal in her early 20's and never went back again. She said it scared her too much.

I have extreme Health Anxiety. I wish they could test for all kinds of pre cancer every week Grin With my HA any medical test causes me extreme anxiety but not going causes me more.

I can't imagine having to tell my children I have cervical cancer when it is pretty much preventable with regular smears. They just watched their father fight cancer and seen what affect that had on them so I couldn't not go for smears and risk it.

Teahouse · 24/01/2013 20:20

I have been for my last 2 but for 25 years I missed them as I was sexually abused by a consultant who gave me an internal when I was 19; have recently posted in this - was quite liberating to speak up.
The GP and hospital have been brilliant now that I have finally managed to confront the issue.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page