BC withheld over Pap smear

[Justtryingtolive]

I had a phone call with a doctor on 22/04 I picked up the new prescription on 24/04. She said over the phone she would add me to 'the list' and I'd get a phone call when an appointment for the implant replacement became available. 7 weeks later no phone call. My implant is due to run out this month!

I have a feeling it is because I sent a letter to my GP with informed dissent in regards to cervical screening. I filled out the correct forms and sent it recorded delivery and it was signed for on 10/05. However today I received an invitation for cervical screening in the post. So it is clear to me they have ignored my letter.

I intend to go into the GP this afternoon on lunch break and I have printed out all the Government consent to cancer screening documents in which it clearly states cervical screening is a choice and birth control can not be held back due to non compliance.

I hate confrontation but I will do my best to stand up for myself. Any advice?

If your wondering why I don't want a Pap smear... I mean really? Isn't it obvious. I just don't think I would recover, I have bad depression and this would just be too much for me. I know the doctor can prescribe one off sedatives, but honestly this just makes me laugh, clearly this test is unacceptable for so many women yet nothing has changed.

ForTheLoveOfDoghnuts Over the years I found smears to take longer and be more traumatic for me. The GP has now signed me off the recall list as due to various factors I am considered low risk. My last one was done under GA while they were doing something else in the same area.
For most people smears are uncomfortable, but manageable. Clearly not for the OP, and not for me.

It isn't 'disgusting' to be traumatised by the idea of a smear test. There are lots of reasons why this might be the case for women and berating and calling someone messed up isn't going to help.

No pressure OP just my recent story in case it helps anyone else.

I had a smear a couple of years ago and as a result was referred to gynae to have a polyp removed from my cervix.

It turned out to be nothing sinister and in fact had been the cause of prior months of excess bleeding during periods which had been bothering me for a long time and affecting my life. Everyone else had been putting my symptoms down to hormone changes or stress.

Obviously none of that was fun but the staff were lovely and my quality of life has improved markedly as a result of this health check. I really struggle with invasive procedures but ask for female staff and tell them I hate this. They understand.

Smear tests aren't just about cancer and a blood test wouldn't have picked that up.

I've never heard of birth control being denied due to refusal of smear test. However it is your choice, although I find it impossible to understand that while you seem to be having sex, hence the BC, you refuse the smear test. Yes it's not very pleasant but over in a couple of minutes. Mind boggled.

Thank you to everyone who is being supportive of my choice, I have ofc done my own research and reading on the topic. I was vaccinated against HPV 10 years ago at 16 way before becoming sexually active. Cancer doesn't not run in my mum or dads family.

I can't believe someone has commented saying a Pap smear is minimally invasive procedure.....For me this is extreme invasive.

I would assume it's just poor administration, rather than deliberate. My GP surgery wouldn't have the organisational skills to withhold contraception because you didn't want a smear. Your surgery may be more organised than mine of course

Nobody choosing to refuse medical testing or treatment should be told they have a disgusting attitude. Women are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves whether the potential benefits outweigh the problems with having it done. That is precisely what bodily autonomy is all about.

OP, I tend to use the saying "never attribute to malice that which cann easily be explained by incompetence" in situations like this. Far more likely to be an oversight or stretched services than deliberate.

That's the phrase I was trying to remember Clarke!

@ForTheLoveOfDoughnuts

Really? Do you think that your experience of a smear is the same as someone who finds it horrifically painful and/or distressing?

Obviously the op has a different experience of a smear than you - so fuck off with you 'minimally invasive' minimising shit 🤬

My experience of a smear is the agonising stretching of scar tissue as I am 'cranked open', then my cervix has to be hoiked up with a cotton bud and held into place whilst the brush also does its thing. Probably takes about 35minutes and I am dripping in sweat and bleeding at the end of it.

I don't like posting my (and many other womens) smear experience as I don't want to put people off as I am aware this isn't an everyday occurrence for everyone - but please don't try and dismiss how horrific (and I don't use that word lightly) it actually can be.

Thank you! I am sick of people making out that women who don't want smears are just silly little girls who can't get over a 2 minute test, acting like it's as simple as taking your temperature!

1 in 4 women are survivors of sexual assault, should they all just "suck it up"?
Honestly some people are so self-centred and never consider how others might feel.

The attendance rate for cervical screening is declining every year, so I know I am not the only one who feels this way. If that's not proof of how many women find the test unacceptable then I don't know what is.

Op have you actually had a bad experience having a smear test or is the fear from the idea of it ?