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Original poster

Anyone else never had a smear test?

168 replies

swiperfox · 30/03/2005 19:42

I keep getting letters to go and have one but I really don't want to!! I hate the mere thought of them. There's a fair chance the results will get messed up at some point and docotrs hate doing them.

Is there anyone else who refuses to have one or am I the minority??

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 30/03/2005 22:11

expat - I've been on the study for 3/4 years now and every HPV test has been positive! (smears all clear) I was offered colposcopy(?) after 2nd positive test so grabbed it with both hands (it was fascinating to see my inside bits on the telly! ) happily everything was very healthy and I continue to get annual smears for now!

HelloMama · 30/03/2005 22:14

Millie, there are a couple of other things you can do to help if you continue to come accross problems. Firstly there is a longer type of speculum (the instrument they place into the vagina) which can sometimes help with taller women and women whose cervix's are very high up. You could always suggest thet they use one of these if they cannot find the cerix after a few tries. If they have tried 3 times with still no luck, you could try to introduce the speculum yourself. Its just like inserting a slightly larger / awkward shaped tampon. The nurse can show you how. Apparently if a women inserts the speculum herself, once the nurse opens it, over 90% will have located the cervix first time round. I have had to do this once and the woman was successful! We were both relieved!

JoolsToo · 30/03/2005 22:21

mts - I almost always am asked to hoik my hips in the air a couple of times before the nurse can see my cervix! (I have good hip action )

Carla · 30/03/2005 22:37

swiper .. haven't read anything but your first post - no ... after doing a v. loose poo whilst dd2 was being born .. I don't fancy anyone up there for a while.

Original poster
swiperfox · 30/03/2005 22:40
Grin
OP posts:
gingernut · 30/03/2005 22:49

MTS - I've had a few smears, and usually find them pretty uncomfortable but the last one (which was my first post-childbirth) was the worst. The nurse was having problems reaching my cervix and suggested the hip action to me too....and hey presto! Jools - I'll have to perfect my hip action before I go for the next one.

sparklymieow · 31/03/2005 00:31

oooooo I have just remembered I am supposed to have another smear done. I had one done when i was 19, am now 26 so am overdue. Will make an appointment tomrrow. thanks girls!!

rummum · 31/03/2005 11:34

I had my smear yesterday... I should have had it done 2 years ago, and I kept getting letters from the doctors surgery to go, then when I went to see the doctor for something else... this big red message appeared on the computer screen... NEEDS A SMEAR ASAP.... anyway I saw the nurse, and it took only a few minutes, I had a bath before I went and squirted some baby oil in the water... someone told me that this makes your skin oily and the spectulum slids in easy not sure if this is true... all I have to do now is wait for the results.. I had an abnormal smear years ago, I had treatment for that, I was in my late 20's then....
Rum Mum

mummytosteven · 31/03/2005 11:42

sorry for another TMI question HM, but would it help if I applied some lubricant at home before the appointment?

Millie1 · 31/03/2005 16:38

Thanks for the tip HM ... last time I'd two speculum's inserted cos I insisted she use the small size first and that wasn't long enough - medium did the trick but it was blooming sore. Find the plastic speculum much better than the metal but still agony - think they'd have kittens if I asked to do it myself!

wild · 31/03/2005 16:55

I haven't been for ages, you are not alone in being reluctant about this. I agree it is not a rational response but the situation of being under someone else's control in this situation has disagreeable resonances for me. With childbirth you have input, with a smear you feel passive and helpless. I'm not trying to justify it, but you are not alone

bonniej · 31/03/2005 17:09

not read all of this thread but can't believe that someone in their right mind will not have a smear test I am absolutely terrified of doctors and hospitals and am a quivering wreck, but still managed to drag myself to my smear test five years ago. It picked up CIN3 which is quite advanced cell changes and I needed treatment to have them removed. I since have very regular smear tests. If I had chosen not to go all those years ago there's a good chance I wouldn't be here now. I don't think it should even be a decision to make, it goes without saying if you're sane you should go!! (well that's my opinion anyway )

Mirage · 31/03/2005 19:22

This has just reminded me.I am due for a smear test in April,but am due to have a baby on 2nd June.Should I go as normal or wait until after the birth?

I don't want to put it off too long,as my grandmother & all her brothers & sisters died of one form of cancer or another,so I am pretty keen to avoid their fate if possible.

hunkermunker · 31/03/2005 19:30

Anyone else think that more women would have them if they weren't called 'smear' tests? Just sounds vile to me

Twiglett · 31/03/2005 19:34

everything about women seems to have horrible names though

for example 'cervical mucus' why mucus why not fluid? you don't call it seminal mucus do you?

and don't get me started on there being no nice words for women's bits

hunkermunker · 31/03/2005 19:36

That's true. Why 'dirty pillows' for boobs, for instance? Mine are usually very clean (except atm as DS has a cold and is prone to leaving snot trails on them...).

Twiglett · 31/03/2005 20:22

isn't 'dirty pillows' a literary reference?

fuzzywuzzy · 31/03/2005 20:23

dirty pillows, isn't that from the book Carrie by Stephen King??

hunkermunker · 31/03/2005 20:46

I'm ignorant, me.

expatinscotland · 31/03/2005 21:00

It's known as a 'Pap test' in the US.

Nathanmum · 01/04/2005 03:04

Just wanted to add - I had my baby here in the Bahamas, & they did the smear as part of the 6 week check up. I had quite a big episiotomy & it was uncomfortable, but is over real quick. My advice is have a glass of wine or two before you go!!!! As for the serious stuff, I suppose it's your body your choice, but it would be tough to find out too late that you could have spent more time with your kids if you'd had this test. Ihope no-one has to go through that.

bonniej · 01/04/2005 09:07

Nathanmum, just clicked back on this thread and notice you live in the Bahamas. My sister emigrated there in August and lives in Hope Town, Abaco. Whereabouts are you??

Nathanmum · 01/04/2005 19:30

Hi
In Nassau. I hear Hope town is beautiful. It's a little more commercialised here.

wanna · 01/04/2005 20:36

Just had mine a fortnight ago, put it off after having my son in July last year as I tore really badly. Gritted my teeth in the end and went for it, the nurse did it and I never felt a thing. I've been having them since I was 20 on a regular basis after a few problems and surgery. Everytime the letter came I'd make an appointment and then end up with a panic attack the day before but still went. Guess what I've discovered, as uncomfortable as they are, they are no way in the least as painful as giving birth!! Two years ago I ended up in hospital with gynacological problems, after surgery they said I'd probably never have children - our son is now 8 months old! Just because sometimes results come back a bit iffy it's not always the end of the world, sometimes doctors are wrong thank heaven, but just incase I still go as two of my aunts have had to have hysterectomies to save their lives. Grit your teeth and think if a baby can get out of there then an enlarged cotton bud can go up

jambo1707 · 01/04/2005 20:58

Girls

please i know it aint the nicest or comfiest of things to have done but you must have this carried out.

Would you rather sort out abnormal cells or wait until its too late you have cervical cancer, worst case die and leave your cherubs without a mummy

Sorry to be so blunt but i know what choice i take each time, 10 mins of uncumfyness for a lifetime with my kids