Swab / Smear - what's the difference?

[mrsprice84]

Hi all,

Just to give some very brief background info...

I've been seeing a gynaecologist for the last 18 months due to suspected endometriosis. This has never been confirmed (never done a lap) but I have undergone a few tests as one of my other symptoms is rectal bleeding during menstruation - just got the all clear from the colonoscopy. Phew.

Anyway after intercourse a couple of weeks ago I bled, which have never done previously. Went to the GP and she took some swabs. After the swabs and 'shining her light' she said she suspected cervical erosion. She said to give the swabs a week to come back and if I didn't hear anything don't worry. Anyway I have just had a call from the GP to say that I need to go in to talk to the GP about my results...and they can't get me in until Monday so my mind is in overdrive now!

My question is does anybody know if a swab is the same as a smear? Or if a smear is the only test to confirm cervical cancer. I feel silly that I didn't ask the GP what the difference was. I last had a smear in Feb 2018 and am up to date and had clear smears!

Can anybody shed any light on what the swabs are...are they different to a smear...it certainly felt the same as a smear test when she was taking the swabs! I'm confused!

Swabs will look for infections like thrush, bacterial vaginosis, probably a few different STIs. A smear uses a slightly different bit of kit and she's unlikely to have done that as well unless you are due to have one

@PatrickMerricksGoshawk thank you confirming...no I wouldn't have thought she will have done a smear with me having one last year.

Now I am worried again as they have obviously found something and STI's would not even be a possibility (I say that...I would hope not anyway).

Thanks again though, that's a big help! :-)

No problem
Might just be something like BV and she wants to discuss antibiotics - try not to worry until you have to!

@PatrickMerricksGoshawk thank you!

Swabs are like long cotton buds. We collect some material from either the cervix, or the top of the vagina, by rolling the swab around the area. It goes to the lab and they check the material under a microscope (or by machine) and if there are abnormal bacteria there they will grow them and see if they are sensitive to different antibiotics.

A smear is slightly different - cells are taken only from the cervix and transferred to a pot and sent to a different section of the lab where they evaluate the cells to see if they look like they should do. They make also look to see if HPV is present.

In terms of the woman’s experience, a smear and a swab are largely similar. A speculum is always used to take a smear, and would be used for a cervical swab. For a high vaginal swab a speculum isn’t needed.

@Sidge thank you! I guess I should have asked my GP what she was 'testing' for when taking the swabs, but I was so worked up and as she had already mentioned cervical erosion as a possibility, my mind was all over the place. After doing some reading though it seems cervical erosion can be diagnosed on visual inspection so am a little worried what may have come back on the swabs - this is where I've started to overthink and wonder if swabs and smears will detect similar.

Thanks again though for your help with the difference! :-)

@mrsprice84 you’re very welcome 😊

If a woman has postcoital bleeding we routinely swab for infection, do a smear if they’re due one, and obviously visually inspect the cervix. An erosion (also called an ectropion) is common in women, especially younger women and those on hormonal contraception.

Infections we sometimes see are BV, strep B infection, chlamydia, Candida (thrush) and less commonly infections such as gonorrhoea and trichomonas.

@Sidge yes the GP did say the erosion/ectropion is common for those on the contraceptive pill (which I am)! Although am 35, so not too young haha! Will keep my fingers crossed (and I kinda ruling out STI as am happily married...well so I think)!!

You've been a massive help! Thanks again!